“That was fast,” Sabine said.
“Elric hates fraud almost as much as he hates priests touching archive ledgers.” Elara smiled thinly. “He became motivated.”
Corvek looked at Lucien. “This does not prove temple command.”
“No,” Lucien said. “But it proves enough irregularity to invalidate suspension as a remedy. Suspending Lady Sabine now would reward the very sabotage under review.”
Ilyra moved toward the fire. “High Hierophant Serast has agreed the next trial may proceed.”
Sabine looked at her sharply.
“The next trial?”
“The Trial of Surrender,” Ilyra said.
Lysa swore under her breath.
Corvek’s eyes moved to her.
Lysa looked back with perfect innocence.
Sabine felt the mark pulse once.
“I thought the final sequence was called.”
“It was,” Lucien said. “Serast has now separated the eighth trial from the final vow and insisted Surrender must be completed before any question of final sanctification.”
“Why?”
Elara answered. “Because he wants you kneeling before he asks for the chamber.”
Sabine understood.
The suspension had failed, so Serast had changed tools. Not removal now. Conditioning. Ritual posture. Sacred language. A vow designed to prepare the mouth for the final one.
Ilyra watched Sabine over the firelight.
“The Trial of Surrender is old,” she said. “Older than most of the current public stages, though newer than the foundation chapel. It was introduced when queens began refusing crown instruction after coronation.”
“Refusing instruction,” Sabine said.
“A polite historical phrase for resisting men who confused marriage with governance.”
Elara’s mouth twitched.
Corvek ignored that. “The trial remains legally valid.”
“Of course it does,” Sabine said. “Everything useful to the palace does.”
Lucien’s gaze held hers.
No smile.
But the bond warmed.
Corvek cleared his throat. “The trial will proceed under expanded crown witness. The queen mother, Princess Elara, myself, Warden Heskar, High Hierophant Serast, Bloodwright Maelor, and a record clerk will attend. Prince Lucien will be present under selection right.”
“Will I be permitted to speak in my own defense if the wording is coercive?” Sabine asked.
