The heavy chamber doors swing wide. Emperor Zachariah fills the threshold in crimson and gold, broad-shouldered and still as a drawn blade. The command seal at the scroll flares in answer to his presence.
He crosses to the queen in two measured strides, eyes cutting from the glowing parchment to Elian’s exhausted face. Clara shifts toward the door, alert. Blaze stays close to the scroll, watching.
Emperor Zachariah
Who breached the west gate, and why is my house’s seal burning in my chamber?
Queen Elara
A courier brings warning, and a ring of shadow-stalkers follows the trail. House Veyr appears to have buried something inside the empire.
Emperor Zachariah
Then we do not waste breath. You, courier, speak every name you remember. You, Clara, keep the door. Blaze volts, stay with the scroll.
The Courier
Elian. I am Elian. I saw one of the clerks at the river archive take a black wax token from a veiled rider. I can point to the road, if you mean to chase them tonight.
✓ Quest Accepted
Identify the clerk at the river archive
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn what the black wax token means