Evan sends the warning ahead before we leave the salt crossing. Two words. Luna stone. By the time we reach Ironveil, the ceremony hall doors are closed. No guards outside. That is worse than guards. Tessa reaches for the handle. I stop her.

"Listen."

Inside, two

Nine days later, my arm has healed to a thin silver line. The tribunal room has no Luna stone. I am grateful for that. It has tables, recorders, sealed evidence boxes, and too many chairs. Maeve sits beside Tessa because she claims someone has to stop Tessa fr

Six months later, there are twelve beds in Maeve's clinic. She complains that six would have been enough. All twelve are occupied.

"Temporary failure of planning," she says when I point this out.

"Of course."

"Do not sound pleased."

I am pleased. The Warden station did n