Excommunication, part 1

For a moment, a shocked silence settled on the hall. Then it exploded into a clamor of voices.

"I knew it!"

"A demon worshiper? Oh, gods… Allfather, Allmother, deliver me from this taint!"

"It's all Enzo and his wretched seed. She took him in, she offered him a seat next to her! Can you imagine what they must do at night? It makes me shiver to think about!"

"A dark mage in our midst… Why doesn't the king protect us?!"

The mass of courtiers parted from Cael like oil from water. In an instant, he was standing inside of an empty circle, easy for everyone in the room to see.

The same happened with Ginevra, but as she sat alone already, it was harder to notice that everyone took at least a step away from her.

Arca calmly rolled the scroll again and smiled brightly. Ginevra's scowl was proportionally grim.

"Shut up!" she shouted, rising from her seat. Her mana flared like a bonfire as someone splashed strong alcohol on.