The grand assembly hall fell into a hush as Maerina Vaelis Caeles stood up from her high-backed chair.
"As you all are already aware... a few days ago, the Great House of Vernhail was destroyed."
Maerina's remaining hand rested lightly on the table in front of her "The matriarch, Lady Maevrith Vernhail was killed by the Empyrean Charlotte Fleurdys... for some unknown reason."
Some people threw glances towards Brandon, who just sat silently.
Maerina continued, "This incident has left a huge hole in our Noble structure."
She gestured toward the empty fifth chair on the platform "One of the five Great Houses... gone. Their seats in this assembly, their votes in the Council of Balance, their holdings... all of it now hangs in legal and metaphysical limbo."
Maerina's gaze swept the room "The destruction of a Great House is not merely a tragedy of blood and stone. It is a fracture in the very foundation that has held the noble order together for more than four centuries."
