Chapter Three: The Flameless Makes the Stele Bow

Lain unharmed. Their contempt remained, but curiosity now lay beneath it. Lain welcomed the change. People who despised him ignored him. People who doubted him revealed what they wanted to know. “The rules remain unchanged,” Mordred announced beside the stele. His nephew had died three nights ago, yet not a fold of his silver coat was out of place. “Offer blood. Endure the pressure. Receive an imprint. Three rings grant a seat on the Royal Council, five the right to command dragon riders, and seven a claim to succession. If the stele refuses the blood, the ancestor refuses the heir.” His eyes rested on Lain. Six distant relatives produced one to three rings. The seventh candidate was Cassian.