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What concern me most are the black video cameras hidden in the canopy or alleyways There’s only a few at home, at the Security outpost or in the arena, but they’re all over thein fir here

The tide of the crowd takes me down the main avenue, past taverns and cafés So the crowd pass as they enjoy theirdrinks So fro froraether in h whine of the screens, the distant sound of static, buzzes in my ears How they can stand it, I don’t know But the Silvers don’t even blink at the videos, alli in stupid awe again But then a droning noise snaps me out of it At first it sounds like the arena tone, the one used to start a Feat, but this one is different Low and heavier soht, I turn to the noise

In the bar next to me, all the video screens flicker to the same broadcast Not a royal address but a news report Even the Silvers stop to watch in rapt silence When the drone ends, the report begins A fluffy blond woman, Silver no doubt, appears on the screen She reads frohtened

"Silvers of Norta, we apologize for the interruption Thirteen o there was a terrorist attack in the capital"

The Silvers aroundinto fearful murmurs

I can only blink in disbelief Terrorist attack? On the Silvers?

Is that even possible?

"This was an organized bo to reports, the Royal Court, the Treasury Hall, and Whitefire Palace have been daed, but the court and the treasury were not in session this e of a burning building Security officers evacuate the people inside while nymphs blast water onto the flames Healers, marked by a black-and-red cross on their ar them "The royal family was not in residence at Whitefire, and there are no reported casualties at this ti Tiberias is expected to address the nation within the hour"

A Silver next tospider cracks through the solid rock top A strongar up north so they’re co the Lakelands

"We should wipe theh to the Prairie!" another Silver echoes Many cheer in agreeth not to snap at these cowards ill never see the front lines or send their children to fight Their Silver war is being paid for in Red blood

Asthe marble facade of the courthouse explode into dust or a dia a fireball, part of me feels happy The Silvers are not invincible They have enemies, ene behind a Red shield

The newscaster returns, paler than ever Soh her notes, her hands shaking "It seeanization has taken responsibility for the Archeon bo er to hear the words on-screen "A terrorist group calling theo"

"The Scarlet Guard?" "Who the hell--?" "Some kind of trick--?" and other confused questions rise around the bar No one has heard of the Scarlet Guard before

But I have