

Location: the private stateroom, a luxurious chamber of dark iron and polished wood, lit by the warm, flickering glow of hearth fires and the amber light reflecting off the feast on the table; the dim blue light from the corridor spills in through the open door as the Xylon ambassadors are being led away Position: Astrid Völundottir is standing near the heavy wooden table, smoothing the fabric of her tunic with one hand while watching the ambassadors being dragged away with a soft, pitying expression and steady eyes; a medium shot Clothing: Astrid Völundottir is wearing midnight blue velvet armor stitched with silver thread, polished ceramite plates, over-the-knee leather boots lined with thick fur, and a small silver reliquary hanging from a cord at her throat