The Historical Preservation Society's main hall was designed to intimidate.
Marron stood in the entrance, taking in the vaulted ceilings, the marble columns, the walls lined with display cases containing artifacts from every era of history. Each case was labeled with small brass plaques: Pre-Cataclysm Pottery, Early Recovery Era Textiles, Forbidden Magical Implements (Sealed).
Everything behind glass. Everything preserved. Everything dead.
"Breathe," the Champion said quietly beside her. "They want you nervous."
"It's working."
They'd spent the last two days preparing—reviewing testimony, gathering witnesses, rehearsing arguments. Jenny had agreed to testify, along with Dren and surprisingly, Kessa from the mountain village, who'd traveled all this way specifically to speak about Tam's rescue. Even Aldric had sent word that he would attend, though whether to support or oppose Marron, she wasn't sure.
