The day after the refusal went out, the outer market stayed quiet. No new tokens arrived at the gates. The inland faction sent nothing.
The temple kept its usual watch, lamps lit at the same hours, guards changing at the same marks. The board had hardened, and for the first time in weeks the pressure did not increase.
Aiden found Elizabeth on the upper colonnade just as the light began to thin. She stood near the stone railing, looking out over the lower courts.
Her shoulders were set the way they always were when she expected another message before nightfall. He stopped a few paces behind her and waited until she turned.
"You're late," she said.
"I was in the records room. Checking the copies one more time."
"They don't need checking. We sent what we sent."
