Nila pushed through the heavy wooden doors of the great hall, her boots clicking sharply against the stone floor, unbuttoning her wool cloak with quick movements.

Evelyn was sitting by the long oak table near the back of the room, a thick stack of vellum sheets spread out before her. William stood just a few paces away, his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes fixed on the entrance the moment the doors creaked open.

"Well?" Evelyn asked, rising slowly from her chair. Her eyes immediately tracked to Nila’s face, searching for any sign of tears or defeat. When she found none, her shoulders dropped, tension leaving her jaws. "Did...