Arthur worried if Iris had pushed things too far, but Lillian looked over at Myan and sighed, before letting go of her sword. For some reason, she placed a lot of stock in the young drow’s advice. There was something special about Myan, and Arthur was starting to think there was another reason Queen Inca wasn’t letting her nephew go to the surface.Lillian scowled at Arthur. “Learn to keep control of your ward. What kind of guard lets his mistress stumble ass-backwards into every conflict she can start?”Arthur’s eyes narrowed. “The kind that trusts she can take care of herself. And I’m not her guard.”Lillian huffed in exasperation before turning and knocking on the throne room door. Every wrap of her knuckles released a resonating wave of ether, runes briefly glowing in response before they became inert. The stone doorway shuddered and started rising into the air. Lillian stepped through immediately and announced their presence. “I’m here with visitors, Arthur Ward and Iris, brought to you at the behest of Adviser Myan.”Only then did the rest of them enter the throne room, and Arthur finally understood the warning Lillian had given. Thousands of runes lit up across the walls and concentrated their energy on Arthur and Iris. The fae princess winced and stumbled to a knee, unable to cope with their inhibiting presence. Arthur, however, was made of sterner stuff. The restrictive wards settled on his soul and tried to lock down his skills. It wormed over his flesh and attempted to sap him of strength. Arthur grunted in annoyance and took another step forward. The runes across the walls began to flicker and dim, smoking ominously. Lillian looked at him in shock, Myan with grim satisfaction that his caution had been vindicated. The throne room suddenly lit up as a massive brazier was lit. Its flames were golden and spread a soothing warmth throughout the room, one that nourished the body as much as it did the soul. Iris rose on unsteady (...)