"We're all set, now we have to wait for the signal." Calen announced.
Calen and his companions were sat around a small stone with a single rune carved on it.
"Are you sure Lydia will be able use it properly?" Cassian asked.
"No, and that's why I gave the signal stone to Alara instead."
"I thought she won't be able to attend since she's not a part of the circle."
"We only need to know when the council starts, not what's going on inside." Isara pointed out.
Calen sighed.
"Let's go over the plan again - once the we get the signal, we'll infiltrate the inner sanctum. There's a possibility that Trent will appoint regular, non-druid guards, so we're going to use cloaks to get inside. Once we're there, Isa and I will start working on the array, while Cass and Ellie are going to be on the lookout."
Cassian rolled his eyes.
"I think we can all remember such a basic plan Cal."
"Um, I have a question actually." Elira said. "Do we have a contingency in case Trent catches on to what we're doing?"
Calen scratched his neck.
"I mean no, but according to Lydia the room where the council is held is sealed until all the Elders decide the meeting is over."
"What if he can activate the enchantment remotely?"
"Well..." Calen looked at Isara in search of help.
"We can put on magic dampeners near that part of the array, I suppose? It would prevent any long distance magic, but I have no idea whether it would affect divine power."
"So if something unexpected happens we're going to have a big problem." Cassian summed up.
"You can't really plan for the unexpected Cass, that's a logical fallacy - if you plan for something you're expecting it to happen." Calen argued.
"...Fair point I guess."
Suddenly, the pebble in the middle started glowing.
"That's our cue."
***
Lydia entered the council chamber, and the heavy oak doors closed behind her with a click, accompanied by a soft green glow - a sign that the seal was activated.
She looked around the ancient room, the center was occupied by a large empty area, while the space around it was filled with a multi level auditorium full of druids.
A quick count later she confirmed that she achieved her goal, all hundred and twenty five members of the circle were in attendance.
When she approached the middle of the chamber the room fell completely quiet.
"You have called for a grand council Elder Lydia, and I have approved your request." Vinifer started. "As tradition dictates, first we shall address lesser matters that piled up since the last grand council, then we will deal with the true purpose of this meeting."
Lydia took her place next to her brother, and Trent scoffed.
"Master Vinifer, surely we can skip the formalities and deal with it quickly?"
His tone was polite on the surface, but anyone who knew the Elder knew that it wasn't a request.
The Archdruid lifted an eyebrow.
"Surely you don't want to insult our ancestors, Elder Trent? After all, you were the one to teach me about respect for traditions."
Trent looked mildly annoyed.
"Of course we should stick to the ways of our forefathers, but we shouldn't waste our time on such..."
"Do you have somewhere to be Trent? I can't think of anything more important than matters of the circle that would require your attention." Baor interrupted him with in a mocking tone.
Trent fumed with rage, but he couldn't find a valid rebuttal.
'Was Ba always this observant?'
Vinifer cleared his throat, and began reading of a long document:
"First, we have some news from one of our allies - I know some rumours have been circulating, but now I'm announcing it officially: the Order is facing internal struggle, and won't be able help us in case of an emergency in the nearby future."
A wave of whispers spread through the assembly, but the Archdruid continued:
"Similarly, as some of you might have noticed, Mountainfall had an accident with their barrier, and they won't be available for some time for safety reasons."
This news caused larger commotion.
"Are we defenceless now?"
"Is this an attempt to get rid of Greenheart?!"
"We're all going to die!"
Lydia rolled her eyes - Support of those two factions was important, but their city survived two centuries before coming in contact with either of them. They were going to be fine.
"Silence!" Vinifer yelled.
The druids instantly calmed down.
"Fortunately for us, The Dusk Riders promised us they will lend their hand, should the need arise."
Lydia was surprised, as the Riders were rather solitary. Sure, they traded with others, and maintained cordial relationships with other settlements, but they didn't have any official alliances. She was curious what Vinifer did to get such a promise.
What was even more interesting, was that Trent appeared to be also surprised by the information. At the moment he was whispering angrily to his right hand man, who was desperately trying to placate him.
Vinifer, completely unbothered by Trent's agitation, continued the meeting:
"I have some good news as well - the party that arrived a few days ago came from a temple protected from the blight. The place is equipped with sleeping quarters for several hundred people, and due to the nature of the temple is capable of growing plants without the help of a druid."
Some gasps were heard from the audience, but no one interrupted Vinifer.
"After this council is done I will gather a team of ten volunteers, who will travel to said temple, and check whether this mysterious power can help us grow more food."
Lydia couldn't help but notice that Vinifer didn't mention anything about the Sun domain, or the party's identity.
She knew that Calen's identity as a Flamebearer was kept secret from the public for his safety, but she didn't expect that the Archdruid would keep that knowledge from the circle as well.
Lydia was starting to suspect that Vinifer might not be completely on Trent's side.
Well, it didn't really matter - the status quo will be broken today, one way or another.
"The last matter for this part of the council is a proposal from... Elder Baor. Would you like to take the stage and explain the contents?"
The large druid nodded, and moved to the center of the empty area.
"My proposal is unusual, because it's not only targeted at our official members..." He gestured at the lowest level of the auditorium. "...but also to our dear trainees."
Baor put his hand on his chest.
"As you probably know, I am a shifter - the only one in our circle, actually. My proposal is to change that."
Few curious murmurs spread, but Vinifer was the one to respond.
"It's certainly an interesting proposition, may I ask how do you imagine it?"
"I would take on a few pupils, voluntees of course, teach them everything they need to know about being a shifter, and if they're still sure of their choice by the end of that training, we would allow them to take the first stigma."
"Is there a particular reason for this proposal?" One of the druids in the back asked.
Baor shrugged.
"I kinda liked teaching the knight boy, and I figured that our circle could use more warriors."
"And why would you think that?" Trent asked with a hint of suspicion in his voice.
The large druid gave him a wide smile.
"Because the times are changing old man, we can't hide in here forever."
The Archdruid coughed to get everyone's attention.
"Since this is an open proposal, we will vote on it. All in favor?"
Vast majority of the hands shot up - to Lydia surprise, even Trent agreed to the proposal despite the constant mocking from her brother.
"All opposed?"
Few hands reluctantly went up.
"Hundred and seven in favor, seven opposed, eleven abstained from voting - the proposal was voted in." The Archdruid addresses the trainees. "Who's interested in personal training from an Elder?"
Five youths rised their hands.
Baor clapped his hands.
"Alright, meet me after the council, I'll write down your names and we'll talk about the details."
Baor returned to his seat, while Vinifer stood up.
"Now it is finally time to address what this council really is about - Elder Lydia, you can take the stage now."
Lydia exhaled sharply, got up from ger seat, and approached the arena.
"I called you here today to expose a dire truth about our circle."
She looked Trent directly in the eye.
"The last hundred years of our history has been a lie." Lydia spread her arms. "Today I come to you not as an Elder - but as a rightful heir of previous Archdruid."
She took out large seed out of her pocket, and crushed it in her fist.
In the blink of an eye countless small vines intertwined with each other and took the shape of a fearsome axe.
Lydia pointed her weapon at the Vinifer.
"I challenge the usurper to a duel."