"We have to do something," the Lord Hegemon boomed at the assembled group. "It seems Jac and Xanos are quite satisfied letting the Consuls accuse the

Dark Council of treason against the Clans, but this is something I will not tolerate and I have called you in for this meeting to collect ideas on how

we can proceed from here."

The assembled Elders - the freshly promoted Herald, the Headmaster, the Combat Master and the Dark Voice chief editor - nodded. This state of cold war

was getting every bit as much on their nerves as on those of the Clans.

"The problem is we have no proof whatsoever," said the Headmaster. I had to defend against three Chamber of Justice accusations already for letting

destructive elements through the Shadow Academy into the Clans. Granted, they were dismissed the same day they were filed, but still the point remains

that some of the Consuls are starting to see ghosts in the Dark Council. What interest should we as councilors have to destabilize the Clans ? Our

power depends on them."

"That is the part I don't understand either - they are pretty much saying we would be doing the very things that spell our own doom. Yet, we have made

no progress on finding any connections either. The espionage missions have been quite the failure so far - all we receive back are what we already

know: people are suspicious of each other like hell and some are quite clumsily going at whatever information-gathering task they seem to have been

assigned or have assigned themselves. It seems like everyone on Antei has been growing eyes in their backs," the Herald added to the discussion, still

somewhat uncomfortable in his new, expertly tailored robe.

Kaiann just opened his mouth to say something, but at that second the intercom in his desk beeped. He answered it with a brusk "Yes", indicating he

would rather not be disturbed at this time.

"I have a messenger here for the Herald. He seems very much in a hurry and he says he has evidence regarding the recent incidents," the voice emerged

from the intercom, loudly enough for everyone in the room to understand. Kaiann gave a questioning look to Muz, who nodded.

"Send him in," the Lord Hegemon said and cut the connection.

The heavy office door opened and in came a figure in quite tattered Guardian robes of the pre-previous generation of Brotherhood clothing. On the

chest of the robe, the now deprecated crest of Clan Satal Keto was proudly being displayed. As per Brotherhood protocol, the robe's owner first turned

towards the desk of the office holder to give the customary bow. But then, instead of turning towards the addressee of his depeche, he withdrew a

small package from his robe and set it on the parcel.

Kaiann's instinctive sense for danger suddenly went to high alert. He jumped from his chair and dove under the heavy mahogany desk.

"Get down, this is a bo..."

He did not get any further before the detonator bathed the office in a searing light, followed by a deafening explosion.

And, as usual, the rest of the chapter can be found on the GJW site. Be ready for some major plot twists...