The Cynn stood quite still, bristling, as the Assembly members silently walked in and around him. Without a single word, they all filed into the tiered seats above the scribes and sat, scowling.

The Cynn looked down, hair standing on end, because as quiet as the Assembly was, he could feel the knifepoints inches from his back again. He managed to say quite calmly, < Pardon the pause, all. The Assembly members have just reentered the chamber and are taking their seats. I think we may finally be ready to start this hearing properly. >

Hawk woke to the sounds of a distant crowd of people, talking and cheering, or screaming, or both. The room was dark except for the blaze of orange sun coming in through the bay window, which fell across his face. The noise was coming from somewhere outside and below.

He sat up laboriously, holding his head. Vlad and Liya were seated in the window; Liya started, noticing his movement.

"Oh! You're awake!"

She started to clamber off the seat. Hawk grunted in answer.

"S' all the noise?"