Gravemire was built from chaos.
Upheld by force.
But Reed knew—if he wanted this kingdom to outlive him, power would have to change form. Not faces. Not names. But structure.
In the Central Tactics Room at Dawn
Reed sat with Rina and Klik.
No guards. No other shadows.
Just blank maps… and a single question in the air:
"What would be left if I disappeared tomorrow?"
Klik stared at Reed, confused. "My lord, this is a hypothetical question, isn't it?"
"No."
Rina nodded slightly, reading Reed's meaning.
"You want Gravemire to survive without its leader."
Reed nodded.
"We can't pin everything on the First Shadow, or on one head.
If one dies, the whole thing goes awry."
Klik unrolled a blank scroll. "Where do we start?"
Rina devised a new system of government:
– Science & Strategy Committee (Rina)
– Security & Mobilization Committee (Myra)
– Social Integration Committee (Elias)
They did not submit to each other.
They did not wait for the king's orders.
