What Lives in Whispers?

The session opens with a flashback to about 40 years ago, with Talon returning to the Capital after being gone for many years. He is greeted by his brother Edemere and the two have an incredibly tense conversation about the future of the kingdom, as their mother is on death's door. Within the week, the queen dies and Edemere is crowned King while Talon is crowned as Lord Paramount of House Falkrest.

Jumping back to the present day, Xanthe has a tense conversation with her grandmother as they travel back to the capital. Vaelora Astralor speaks with Xanthe and tries to pry information out of her regarding The King's Hand, but Xanthe refuses to share anything. Vaelora makes veiled threats and implications about Xanthe's position in House Falkrest, but ultimately reminds Xanthe that she is on her side. The two do not speak for the remainder of the trip, with Vaelora promising to work to gain more support for Xanthe in the coming months.

Marik speaks to Captain Vaela, apologizing for the secrecy but wanting to make sure she knows how valuable her services have been after Raynere's departure.

Upon returning to the capital, the heirs and the eggs are taken to the council chambers. Each heir is questioned separately and reflects on the mission. They each pick who they believe should be the future ruler and Lord Paramount of House Falkrest. Things however become awkward as Talon concludes the meetings before speaking to Edwinn. Upon the eldest speaking up, Talon suggests that he merely forgot about Edwinn's report before allowing it to proceed. At the end, Talon asks if Edwinn would take the throne if it was asked of him. Edwinn denies it.

After this, they all gather to discuss the future of the eggs, with many of the heirs believing that they are a danger to the realm. A vote is cast, and by one vote the eggs are decided to be saved and studied. Marik also reveals that one of the eggs has spoken to him.

The eggs are placed in a pocket dimension under the care of the archmage. Selara Astralor is taking over primary study on the eggs, but everyone present in the meeting was granted unrestricted access to the eggs.

Tensions remain high amongst the King’s Hand as they are led to their new home in The Manor of the King’s Hand. They are greeted by old servants that served the crown in their youth, many of them coming out of retirement or transferring to aid the King’s Hand.

Each sibling receives a request to meet with someone important to the court. That night, Edwinn meets with the Spymaster, who opens up about the desire for the church to see Edwinn take the throne. They believe that he is divinely chosen and the god’s requests cannot be turned down. The spymaster insists that Edwinn will fight to claim the throne, or maybe of the Nornathi people that he helped will be slain as punishment. Edwinn lashes out at the building in anger after the spymaster leaves.

Later that night two guards guard one of the gates to the Capital, discussing the King’s Hand and wondering how well they’re doing in their missions. Both good and bad stories are being shared about them. However, the questioning stops as a horse comes out of the trees, worn and weary and revealing a near-dead Raynere Falkrest with ten severed heads strapped to the side of his horse. Raynere collapses off the horse as the guards call for help. An insignia of three dragon claws cut into his chest. The King’s Hand are immediately summoned, trying to figure out what took place.