The simple honesty hits harder than threats would. Drogar's not cruel, just practical. He's explaining facts, not making promises.
"And if I challenge the rite?"
"Challenge it how? You think you can lawyer your way out of five thousand years of tradition?"
"Maybe."
Silence on the line. Then: "You always were too clever for your own good. Fine. You want to play games with the Circle, that's your funeral. But don't say I didn't warn you."
He hangs up. I gaze at the phone for a long moment, then dial the number I've been avoiding.
"Korgan?" Trinity's voice is sleep-rough, confused. "It's barely seven AM."
"My clan wants me to come home."
"Oh." A pause. Rustling sounds, probably her sitting up in bed. "How bad is it?"
"They're threatening exile if I don't withdraw from the show and break things off with you."
"Ah. The nuclear option."
"Something like that." I lean back against the headboard, suddenly exhausted. "There's a ritual. The Rite of Severance. It would cut me off from the clan permanently. No going back, no reconciliation."
"That's terrifying."
"It's meant to be."
"What are you going to do?"
The question I've been avoiding. "I don't know yet."
"That's honest."
"I'm trying to be more honest these days. About things that matter."
"Am I one of those things?"
"Yes." No hesitation there. Whatever else I'm uncertain about, that much is clear. "You are."
"Then we'll figure it out. Together."
Together.The word still feels foreign, like wearing armor that doesn't quite fit. But it's growing on me.
"I need to make some calls. Research some options."
"Research sounds very tactical and Korgan-like. I approve."
Despite everything, I smile. "I'll see you at the studio later."
"Try not to set anything else on fire before then."
"How did you—never mind. Yes. I'll be careful."
After hanging up, I spend two hours on the phone with my old professor from university, Dr. Kellan, the only orc academic I know who specializes in traditional law. He's not optimistic.
"The Rite of Severance is pretty ironclad, Korgan. It's designed to be final. The only historical precedent for challenging it successfully involved a blood debt that superseded clan authority."
"What about ritual combat? Trial by ordeal?"
