The midday light spread dully across Halftide, gray clouds flattening every shadow as if the world itself were holding its breath. The Lorebreakers ate in their usual corner of the communal deck, a worn-out table sagging beneath battered bowls of cooked fish, seaweed, and salted rice. Arthur sat quietly at the head, elbows on the table, eyes distant. Beli stood, as always, too focused to sit, his tall glass frame casting sharp lines in the muted light.
Aleks chewed with the slow patience of someone planning something unpleasant. His fingers drummed against his bowl. Across from him, Lyn was mid-bite when she noticed the silence between Arthur and Beli. She tilted her head.
"Alright." She said, brushing hair from her face. "What's being decided without telling the rest of us?"
Arthur looked up, unreadable, while Beli flicked his hand toward Aleks.
"One of them has to go down." Beli said plainly.
Lyn frowned. "Down where?"
