Meanwhile, around the same time in Elandria…
The last surviving assassin knelt before Lady Arnarra, with his head bowed low. He had been traveling the whole day from Xathia and the moment he reached Elandria, he went before its ruler.
"Speak," Arnarra said coldly.
"We failed, my lady," the assassin said, with his voice sounding strained. "Oberon killed the other two. I barely escaped with my life."
Arnarra had a disappointed and irritated expression on her face. Her hands curled into fists at her sides, and she repeated, "Failed."
"Yes, my lady."
She turned away from him, staring out at the moonlit gardens beyond. "Leave my presence."
The assassin bowed lower and backed out of the room, leaving Arnarra alone.
For a moment, she stood in silence, staring into the night from the balcony until Lysandra stepped into the corner.
The young lady's had an unreadable expression on her face, and her eyes carried this dangerous edge.
