The following morning, Yggdrasil awoke to rain.
Cold droplets slid down stone walls and rooftops.
The mountain city looked gray beneath the clouds.
Kai hadn't slept well.
The ritual chamber lingered in his thoughts.
The branded cultists.
The symbol.
The mention of Oheyo.
None of it sat right with him.
---
A servant knocked on his door.
"His Majesty requests your presence."
---
Kai immediately knew something was wrong.
---
The servant's expression gave it away.
---
He quickly got dressed and headed toward the royal meeting chamber.
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The moment he entered, he saw the problem.
---
Akshay looked furious.
---
Several officers stood around a table.
Vice was present.
Andre was eating breakfast.
Somehow.
---
And the documents from the ritual chamber were nowhere to be seen.
---
"They're gone."
Akshay slammed both hands onto the table.
---
"Every single one."
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The room remained silent.
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Kai frowned.
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"What do you mean gone?"
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"I mean gone."
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The king pointed toward an empty lockbox.
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"They were secured here."
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"Only a handful of people had access."
---
Andre swallowed a piece of bread.