A silence fractures the room. Traders of shadow and steel pivot, curiosity and alarm softening their stances. I continue: “A scapegoat. One whose betrayal is proven and inevitable. Someone they think we trusted. Someone whose fall they can call justice.”
Aebon takes a step forward, heavy boots thudding on stone. “You’re not deflecting,” he says. “You're choosing.”
“Yes,” I whisper. “Becausewechoose who falls. Not the Nine. Not them.”
He crosses to me, breath low and charged with fury. He snatches the folder off the table, thumbing through pages as if they’re bones to be read. I hold his gaze, standing my ground.
Finally, he slams the dossier onto the table. The holo-light cuts through dust motes. “Who?” His voice edges on breaking.
Beneath the shimmering light, I tap the file. “Ellex.” A hush falls, like a grave sealed. Even the braziers seem to shudder.
He recoils, but I remain calm. “He’s been in secret contact with Nar’Vosk operatives. Freight logs show unauthorized transfers. I intercepted encrypted comms. I have proof.”
A slow, painful inhale. His face is a war-zone—betrayal and love clashing like steel on steel. “Ellex?Mylieutenant?”
I nod. “His ambition outpaced his loyalty. He’s preparing for a shift in power. He doesn’t realize the Nine are chasing him as bait.”
Aebon’s hand tightens into a fist. I feel bone shift. This cuts deep. But he nods once, sharply. “Show me.”
I gesture to the central holo-pad. Images flicker: shipping manifests, encrypted logs, timestamps, a Nar’Vosk cipher. Close-ups of his face, caught in transition—demeanor faltering, resolve wavering. This isn’t fiction; this is evidence.
“Tonight,” I say, “we expose him. We let the Nine believe they demanded betrayal, but it was already in motion. We meet their terms on our own terms.”
Aebon’s eyes glisten crimson. “You run this.”
My heartbeat roars in my ears. “I’ll run it.”
He exhales, steel and surrender entwined. “Do it.”
An hour later,we convene the Sect’s lieutenants. Bruna, Haarvik, Loran—each face taut, uncertain. Ellex stands at the back, brow drawn. I feel his apprehension as a physical tremor in the room.
I guide the dossier across the table. “Evidence of collusion with Nar’Vosk. This wasn’t extraction—it was betrayal.” I let my gaze sweep across the circle. “We can’t shield him. Not this time.”
Bruna steps forward, voice low and resonant. “You’re sure?”
“Crosschecked,” I reply. “Logs, encrypted traffic, statements. He leveraged his position to plan unsanctioned deals.”
Loran frowns. “But you said… He was loyal.”
My breath shudders. “He was. Until he wasn’t.”
Aebon steps beside me. “Trust is earned and revoked.” His gaze hardens. “Ellex, come forward.”
Ellex’s shoulders slump. He advances, head lowered. The room holds its breath.
I meet his gaze with tempered resolve. “Ellex, the Nine demanded our obedience. We found collusion. It wasyourplot. We must honour the terms ourselves.”
He says nothing. My heart twists, but I press on: “Tell us why.”
He nods slowly. Voice shaking. “I believed the Nar’Vosk would fall. I wanted backup if you fell. I thought—” His throat clenches. “I thought it would protect us.”
“Protectyou,” I correct softly.
He nods again. “Yes. But I was wrong.”
Aebon steps forward. “You betrayed us. You undermined everything we rebuilt in steel and honor.”
Ellex bows. “I accept any judgment.”
