Chapter 65 Tie Breaker

• Ava
• Steam wafted through the council chamber as I carefully poured steaming coffee into the waiting ceramic mugs. One by one, I arranged them on the long oak table alongside a platter of fresh pastries I had picked up from the village bakery that morning.
• It had been my idea to provide some small refreshments for everyone. The meeting was set to begin well before our usual time, and I knew people—especially Chris and some of the Elders—would appreciate a little sustenance to start their day.