In the Emperor's study, Arin stood by the desk, scanning through a stack of reports, while Alaric leaned against the window frame, his arms crossed.
A knock sounded.
"Enter," Arin said.
Seraphina and Kira stepped in and bowed low.
"Your Majesty. Your Highness," Seraphina said evenly. "We've located the man the Princess once studied under, the one you sent us to find."
Alaric straightened immediately. "Where is he?"
"In the palace," Kira answered. "He's waiting in the western hall."
"Bring him no harm," Arin said finally. "He's a guest of the Empire now. Prepare rooms for him, the west wing, overlooking the gardens. See to his comfort."
The knights bowed again.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
As they turned, Alaric spoke. "Seraphina, fetch my wife."
.
.
Daphne was in the infirmary, surrounded by her physicians.
Chalk in hand, she stood before the board, sketching a map of infection spread.
"The symptoms repeat in waves," she was saying. "Notice the pattern."
