The whispers had been eating away in the city all day. Word of the poisoning traveled like mice from one house to another. Nobody dared to say it out loud, but it was all everyone wanted to know about. Some nobles tried to access the royal castle for information, but it was sealed off tightly, no one in or out.
At night, the city gates were closed, the bells did not ring. In silence, a cleansing began. Cloaked figures, dashed through alleys or soared through the skies on broom sticks, spreading containment runes.
The hidden mages inside the city that felt the magic did not dare to come out of their houses or rooms. Unless they were forced out of hiding, they would not show their faces.
In the north of the city stood the house that housed the headquarters of the Horse keepers. Their daring attempt to harm the Empress with poison had brought consequences. Not only had it failed but Sir Gerrin had given up all the information he knew about the secret society.
