A cold hush fell over the throne room, as if the very air had been ordered to hold its breath. Faces tightened, knuckles whitened on hilts, and the Princess felt the weight of each heartbeat in the hall as if they were the footfalls of an approaching storm.
The atmosphere was so tense you could practically taste the tension. Princess Emeney sat on the throne with Xander and Anya by her side. Advisor Gray stood at the foot of the throne steps, taking his usual spot, his arms crossed behind him. The eyes of four of them were locked on the five cloaked figures in front of them, standing side by side.
