Chapter 57: Twelve Clans
Rail, Axe, and Org appeared behind them, their presence a silent promise of protection. "We are here to protect you, Luna Reneira." Axe claimed with his thick solid voice.
Ren offered them a bitter smile. The words did little to ease the storm raging inside her, but Kaisun’s presence, his unwavering support, was already working its way into the cracks of her willpower, soothing the sharp edges of her turmoil.
With that, they stepped forward. The moment they entered, all eyes turned to her. A heavy silence settled over the grand tent, thick with scrutiny. Every gaze dissected her, searching for weakness, looking for an excuse to disapprove. She knew those expressions all too well, human royals wore the same ones, their judgmental eyes always prying, as if peeling back the layers of one’s skull would reveal their intentions or their worth.
The tent was a grand spectacle of power and tradition. Its towering canvas walls, woven with intricate golden patterns, enclosed the space like a royal chamber. Heavy drapes of deep crimson and navy hung from the ceiling, absorbing the flickering candlelight and casting an almost ethereal glow over the gathering. The air carried the scent of aged wood and spiced wine, mingling with the quiet tension that thickened with every scrutinizing glance cast her way.
Candlelight flickered, casting long shadows, illuminating faces but couldn’t expose the concealing motives. Identifying which table belonged to which shifter clan was nearly impossible by appearance alone. Twelve tables filled the space, each adorned with its clan’s sigil. The only unifying mark was the stone throne of Thegara, embroidered above each clan’s emblem. Surely, it was a stark reminder of the kingdom’s hierarchy. Just as Rail had explained to her.
The Bird Clans, three in total, shared one sigil: a Griffin. They occupied three tables close to each other.
The Wolf Clans, four in number, displayed the proud sigil of a wolf’s head, spread across four tables.
The lone Bear Clan bore a sigil of a bear’s paw on their banner.
The Deer Clan’s sigil—a pair of interwoven antlers—was breathtakingly intricate, a symbol of grace and quiet strength.