Page 156 of Warlord's Plaything

"You dare accuse me of treachery?"

Kaelith’s voice is pure venom.

Cold, smooth, laced with the kind of arrogance that belongs to a man who doesn’t yet realize he’s already lost.

He stands at the head of the chamber, his usual control slipping, his fingers twitching at his sides.

Not shaking.

Not yet.

But it’s coming.

One of the councilmen—an older one, a viper who has lived too long in the shadows—steps forward.

"You have been withholding information, Kaelith."

His voice is like a dagger slicing through silk.

"We have seen the reports. The orcs are uneasy. They are questioning their position. And now… these letters."

A crumpled piece of parchment is thrown onto the table.

One of the many Hira planted.

And it does its job beautifully.

Kaelith doesn’t look at it.

Doesn’t move.

But I see it?—

The flicker in his eyes.

The split-second calculation, the sharp inhale.

He knows.

He fucking knows his house of cards is starting to fall.

"Lies."

The word is smooth. Dismissive.

But not as steady as usual.

Not as powerful.

Not as fucking untouchable.

"Lies?"The viper councilman chuckles, dark and knowing."Then explain why the orc war chiefs have suddenly started refusing direct orders? Explain why our own men are whispering of betrayal in the halls? Explain why our spies report discord among the ranks?"

His voice rises.

"You think we are blind, Kaelith?"

The entire chamber goes silent as if everyone’s holding their breath. Then it happens. The shift. The fucking crack in the glass.

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