“I’ll tell you the story, and you tell me what you think,” Movanna suggested. “Thousands of years ago, Fae discovered an uninhabited world. To their shock, dragons existed here already. The Fae wanted the land for themselves and began a battle between Fae and dragon, which the Fae were losing. One Fae maiden walked alone into the belly of the beast and struck a truce with the dragon leader, Ferrinix. Together, it was the first dragon bond and the beginning of the Society. The Fae agreed to live under Society rule, and twelve tribes split the land for themselves based on their belief of magic. Three tribes to the west in Viland, who believed magic should be used for war. Three to the east in Moran, who thought magic should be used for good. To the north in Tosin, who used magic for efficiency. And three more to the south, who believed magic should be used for nothing or menial things, depending on the translation. Is that what you learned?”

Kerrigan nodded. Everyone else was nodding along as well, except Fordham. He had his arms crossed and looked dubious.

“Fordham?” Movanna asked.

“They tell it differently in the House of Shadows.”

“I believe they would,” Movanna said eagerly. “In fact, I would love to learn the tale from you one day. Tell us one thing that stands out starkly to you.”

“There weren’t twelve tribes,” Fordham said.

“Correct. Correct. There weren’t even thirteen,” Movanna added eagerly. “Thirteen is what we landed on after many of the tribes combined through marriage, enslavement, or war. We started with hundreds of tribes. Not to mention, all Fae didn’t show up at once. We showed up over hundreds of years, different tribes claiming land and warring with the dragons as their territory diminished.”

Audria’s hand shot up. “Why is it taught the other way then?”

“Myth, legend, nationalism, a good story? You take your pick.” Movanna bounced around the room excitedly.

The door opened at the back of the room, and Master Bastian appeared.

“Can I help you, Councilman?”

“Just here to observe. Pretend I’m not here,” he said, shutting the door behind him.

Movanna shrugged. “As you wish. Now, Irena. What do we know about her?”

Noda held her hand up. “She’s a maiden.”

“And Fae,” Roake added.

“Indeed. That’s about all despite depictions of her all over the city. But in the history books, there’s a different picture. She could have been the chieftain of her tribe, sent to kill the dragon, Ferrinix, and instead made a different choice.”

The room was hushed at the pronouncement.

“It’s all fascinating, isn’t it?” Movanna said. “Now, let’s back up and discuss the tribe arrival and what they found.”