Page 76 of Arcane Justice

Seven kept their hands folded, unmoving.

Nineteen was more than enough.

‘Motion carried,’ the Arcane pronounced. Their voice echoed faintly against the stone, like a judgement passed by the gods, for surely that was what they were. ‘Sanction granted.’

The figure who had raised the concern bowed his head once – sharp, satisfied.

‘Your parameters,’ the Arcane continued, ‘are as follows: no spectacle. No evidence. No trail leading back to us. Wise is to be removed without uproar. A clean severance.’ A pause. ‘Do not underestimate her. Failure will not be tolerated.’

The chosen figure inclined his head. ‘Understood.’

‘Then this conclave is adjourned,’ the Arcane said. There was no gavel in their hand, but the sound of dismissal rang out all the same.

One by one, the Order members stood, cloaks whispering like dead leaves. Torches guttered in the change of air as each figure slipped out into shadowed corridors.

The gathering dissolved like a nightmare at dawn.

A nightmare coming for Wise.