"Your Majesty. May the Light of the Empire ever shine upon you."
The three court mages lowered themselves into a formal bow.
King Alderon regarded them in silence before giving a slight nod. "Rise."
Three court mages, dressed in the dark, heavy wool robes of the Imperial Arcane Division, stood in a neat, rigid line near the center of the rug.
Alderon sat behind his desk, his long fingers folded loosely over a stack of untidy parchment. His face was pale, his eyes shadowed by deep, hollow circles that made him look ten years older than he was.
"Do you know why I called you here?" Alderon asked, his voice low, dry, and entirely flat.
The head mage, a man named Cassius with grey hair and spectacles resting on the bridge of his nose, bowed his head deeply. "We do not, Your Majesty. We were told it was a matter of urgent review."
Alderon didn't answer right away. He reached into his coat, pulled out a small velvet pouch, and tipped its contents onto the flat wood of the desk.
