"Lady Whitemarsh! You stand against the council?" Lord Ellenwinter roared, his face twisting into a mask of fury.
Lord Splitbark raised a hand, his tone dropping into a practiced, condescending calm. "Lady Whitemarsh, this outburst is most unbecoming. Surely you don't seek to defy the laws that have knit our nation together for thousands of years? To abandon them now, over demons and interlopers?" He gestured to the inquisitors standing like white statues behind him. "Would you forsake the security the Church offers us?"
"Is it security you seek, or wealth?" Lady Whitemarsh shot back, her voice carrying easily over the courtyard. "My house has fought for generations to protect Sylvarus. More of our blood was shed against the Risen than every other house combined. Yet you accuse us of betraying our people? How could you, when you have decided to side with our accusers because it lets you line your vaults!"
