The council chamber held every faction that was still important in Meraval. Canal House representatives occupied one side, the Ancients another, Tide officers sat beneath the gallery, and the five heirs faced the central floor from separate seats.
Vaelis, Lyren, Nerith, Corvyn and Ilyra were all present. None of the other observers had been admitted; Lucard, Zafira, Rhosyn and the rest remained outside because the council was now dealing with Myrrhvale's succession and the crimes around it.
Trafalgar was the only exception because his own actions were part of the case. He had broken restrictions, entered sealed areas and taken part in Kesh's capture, so the council still had to decide what to do with him.
The Tide already had a new admiral seated near Corvyn's faction. Myrrhvale had replaced Kesh quickly, making it clear that the fleet would continue functioning without the man who had commanded it for years.
