He began to outline the stark reality of their situation, tapping the whiteboard.
"We cannot simply burst Salomonis out of palace confinement." He drew a rough outline of the Imperial Palace, then a circle with a crude crown drawn within it, representing the Sun Empress. "The Empress, ever watchful, would react swiftly.
And her attention would inevitably draw the Duke's." He scribbled a large, blocky 'D' some distance from the palace. "This would put Elara's sister, and by extension, the entire county of Lysora, in grave danger. A direct assault is suicide, and politically, it's a disaster."
Elara slammed a fist softly on the table, her impatience flaring anew. "Then what are we supposed to do?!" she demanded, her voice tight with desperation, the true gravity of their situation pressing down on her. "He's still in there! Every minute he's imprisoned is a minute too long!"
