The Arbiter's Betrayal

s. The air, usually humming with the

Adjudicator's se

an sat ther

ra, Elara' s oldest colle

Quill of Reckonin

voice was calm, but her Aura of Authorit

at the doorway, their f

, his voice flat. "

ed? Of

to steal the Quill of Reckoning before your

possible lie. The Qu

dicator," Silas declared.

her to her. He was in seclusion, they' d said before she le

ver," Elara stated, h

g face. She lifted the Quill. It pulsed faintly in

ness." Elara

s forfeit," Silas announc

ted, but a wave of dizziness hit her. Her

uill. "By order of The Arbiter,

nal torment. No

h Elara as her Aura was ripped from h

urning question: How? How could her Quil

. Utter, consu

on Elara's seat. The Quill in Seraph

s voice, amplified by stolen author

ns murmured, their faces a blu

k, to defend hersel

pulsed in Seraphina' s grasp, as if acknowledgin

power!" Clara' s voice, usually so

ravely. "A dan

louder, angrier. They b

ey? How coul

dens, not Silas or Clara, but

s with shimmering

wore Elara' s ceremonial Adjudicator robes

dressing the crowd. "The great Adjud

held fast. She couldn't speak,

vey her outrage, her de

met h

Binding, ancient Warden artifac

ging with false piety, "and for the future well-be

ves des

on

ra of Authority, the very core of her being, w

ed, some in aw

internal sound of pure t

r, the power, the connection

iumph on her face. Silas and Clara watched, the

ute, a fire consum

othing. P