"What gives you the authority to halt my excavations, Your Grace?" Professor Morian's voice was silk over steel as he stood in my study, hands clasped behind his back. Despite being confronted by four armed guards, he maintained perfect composure.
I set down the royal decree I'd received by special courier that morning—King Marcus's swift response to my urgent request. "This does, Professor. By order of the Crown, all excavations at Raven's Peak and the Whispering Caves are to cease immediately."
His eyes—those unsettling amber eyes—flickered briefly to the document before returning to my face. "Fascinating how quickly academic inquiry becomes a matter of royal concern."
"This is hardly academic inquiry," I replied, keeping my voice level despite the anger simmering beneath. "You've been excavating sealed chambers containing dangerous artifacts."
