It was a private banquet, an exclusive gathering of powers that moved beneath the surface of the realm.
Just earlier, Rex had balked at attending in person.
Exposure at this stage felt like a gamble they didn't need to take, and he was also not confident in being able to protect Davina and Lilliana in such a setting. But he was immediately double-teamed by Davina and also High Lord Rashal.
One said that he should never use her as an excuse to inhibit his search for strength.
And the other insisted that he had come, even promising to give them protective treasures to wear.
High Lord Rashal also said that there were things to learn from seeing the other High Lords directly—insights that no report could capture. Body language, the speaking style, and the silent gaze exchanges could betray the alliance in the background.
Only by seeing them first-hand could secrets be identified.
Davina even said that she'd go with High Lord Rashal as his second regardless of Rex's attendance.
