His name was Cael. Not a name Aelara knew, but a name Rhea trusted enough to cross a river for.
He stayed on the north bank. Rhea had gone to him and come back alone, which meant he had delivered what he had to deliver and had not asked to come in further the specific discipline of someone who understood the limits of what they had been sent to do. He was already gone by the time Aelara and Lyra got back to the house.
Rhea sat down at the table.
"Three things," she said. "First. The bounty notices are being challenged through the crown's office as of this morning. Formal legal counter to the Moon Council's authority to issue public directives on individuals without a prior trial proceeding. It won't pull the notices overnight but it starts the process of making them worthless."
"How long," Aelara said.
"Weeks, not months. Vaelor has the right argument and the right people to make it."
"Second," Aelara said.
