As it had been for the past few months, Nehemia badgered Calaena about being the King's Champion: "Elentiya, everyday you kill and slaughter the enemies of the man who massacres my people!" Calaena snaps, and shouts "If I wanted a damn lecture I could have asked Chaol to attend a royal ball!" and angrily storms out of the princess' quarters. She ran out of the castle and didn't realize where she was going until she ended up at the Assasin's Keep. Trying to not think about Sam, she ends up at a favorite bar that she frequented before her capture. As she sips her ale, she relaxes and listens to the conversations around her. She hears one man bemoaning the state of his marriage, and when she tires of hearing of his domestic dispute, she moves on to a more interesting conversation. Two men next to her are whispering. She only catches snippets of what they have to say: "The Exchange", "Slaves from Endovier and Calaculla", "Government contract to sell surplus slaves into private ownership." At this Caleana, outraged, storms out of the bar, aiming to interrogate Dorian about what sadistic, son-of-a-bitch, spoiled council member authorized a travesty such as this.
Dorian Havilliard spun around as he heard his door kicked down and an angry Calaena Sardothien running at him. As he weaves in the neck of time, she shouts "Who authorized the slave sales? Who?!" "Whoa there, I don't know what's going on here, but it hasn't been discussed in an open council meeting yet." Calaena suddenly remembers that the King meets with Duke Perrington today. She also happens to recall his distaste for so-called rebels, and other "riff-raff." Before Dorian has time to react, she sets off on a run to the throne room.
Calaena POV
As I run, I remember, no, I feel the lashes of the Overseer's whip, the loss of dignity, and the disgusting conditions of the labor camps, and how these abused beings will now be utterly destroyed by rich pigs who've never worked a day in their lives. Armed with these thoughts I snarl and throw open the door to the throne room.
King POV
I am not surprised to see my champion throw open the door. She was bound to hear about the plan eventually. There's nothing she can do to stop it, but maybe if she thinks she can...
Calaena POV
Instead of ordering the guards to hang me, the King calmly explains that since the economy is suffering and there's an abundance of slaves and despicable people who trade in them. The King suggests that a group of slavers that carries a lot of influence were to be destroyed, it would end the plan's viability.
Armed with this information, Calaena Sardothien exits the throne room, already on the hunt for The Exchange!