Guarded Conversations and a Path to Power

The dining hall hummed with the usual evening buzz when I entered with Rhys and Silas. Lyra waved enthusiastically from a table near the window, her tiny frame practically bouncing in her seat.

"Over here!" she called out, though we'd already spotted her.

I slid into the seat beside her while Rhys and Silas sat across from us. The tables were filling up fast, students clustering in their usual groups. I couldn't help but notice how many glances were thrown our way—some curious, some wary, some hostile. Word of my meltdown at the assembly had clearly spread.

"How are you feeling?" Lyra asked, her voice unusually subdued as she leaned closer to me.

"Better than earlier," I admitted. "Still processing everything."

She nodded, her eyes darting around the room in a way that seemed off for usually carefree Lyra. When she placed her hand on the table near mine, I noticed a folded piece of paper being slid discreetly toward me.