When the first set of rebels was led back to the palace, almost everyone gathered in the grand hall turned their attention toward them while quiet whispers spread through the room.
The hoods covering the rebels' heads had already been pulled back so that everyone could see their faces, and from the hatred burning in their eyes, it was obvious they felt no shame over being captured.
These were the very same people who had reduced Westmere to ashes. They were brought before Rowan, while the rest of the council members watched in silence.
"Your Majesty," the captain leading that division began, and after Rowan gave him permission to continue, he bowed his head before reporting, "The camps we discovered have been destroyed, the villagers have been rescued, and these are the rebels we managed to capture."
Rowan's gaze slowly moved across every face before him. They were both men and women, yet not one of them looked frightened despite standing before the throne.
