POV: Zane

The regional council chamber is fuller than it has been for any session in the last decade.

Banners that usually keep to opposite sides of the floor are seated within speaking distance of each other. The northern delegation that spent years contesting our border adjustments sits two places from the coastal group. The eastern valley lead who preferred isolation has taken a central chair. The smaller inland packs have not clustered at the margins the way they usually do. Something in the room has already shifted before the first formal statement is read.

I sit with Caius and Ayla at our territory’s table. Ryker remains standing at the...