Like a torrent cleaved by an indomitable rock, the crowd parted, making way for a small party of riders. Mounted on the first steed, with Sir Lucas behind her keeping her secure in the saddle, Lorelei tried to prevent her heart from flying out of her chest.

As the horses had galloped on the muddy road connecting Ildemar and Yalda, she had prayed for them to run faster, while fighting the terrifying thought of what would happen if they slipped. Now, pierced by the crowds’ stares, she wished they had taken a bit longer. She wasn’t ready! What if her insane plan made everything worse? She was about to challenge the Duke’s decision and intervene with the plans of the two warring factions, an action that might lead to civil war. To death and destruction.

Ants crawled over her skin. Her throat was so dry that it hurt, making it doubtful that she would be able to utter a word when the time came.

Torn by fear and doubt, Lorelei let her gaze stray over the masses, meandering and purposefully avoiding the center of the plaza for some time, until it finally conceded and was drawn to the source of her grievance. Upon the tall platform, a lone man was bound to the flogging pillar, his naked back - bare for all to witness. Amidst old scars from blade and fire, two fresh streaks of red crossed on the dark skin, little droplets of blood slowly oozing from the split flesh.

Noah!

Lorelei’s body jolted, the urge to jump from the saddle and run to him almost impossible to resist. Luckily, the iron-clad arm around her waist kept her from toppling down.

“Are you alright, my lady?” whispered Lucas worriedly.

“All is fine,” she replied in kind and chastised herself. She needed to keep a level head. “Help me dismount.”

With agility inherent to a seasoned rider, Lucas sprang from the saddle and with a short “Excuse my rudeness”, packed Lorelei and lifted her from the horse.

Her feet touching solid ground again, Lorelei staggered briefly, her hands drawing the long blue cloak tightly around her body. Taking a deep breath, she went straight for the wooden stairs of the platform with Lucas, Jessup, and the rest of her escort trailing behind. A single headshake was enough to stop the guards in their tracks and they were left just gawking at her.

Threading over the last step, Lorelei was met by the fuming Lord Steward of Norden who barred her way.

“What are you doing here, lady?” William’s hiss was low enough so that the crowd couldn’t hear him. “This is neither the place nor the time for games.”

“Says the puppet-master who plays with people’s lives and feelings,” replied Lorelei and looked straight past him. “Don’t stay in my way or I won’t hesitate to remove you. I have business with my people. Move aside.”

It was probably less her words but rather her chilly demeanor that startled the man, but William De Mar involuntarily stepped back, giving her enough space to approach the front of the podium. Standing at its edge, she eyed the sea of faces, calling for the last bits of her resolve.

“People of Norden!” Her voice shook slightly. “I call upon you for judgment and mercy! I call upon you to prevent a great injustice!”

A murmur rose in the noon air, many brows furrowing in confusion. Still, no one attempted to silence Lorelei, encouraging her to continue.

“A dark cloud has spread over this beautiful land, poisoning the hearts and minds of even the ones of purest nobility. The terror and hatered brought upon us by the Red Hands has caused too much grief and sorrow. Righteous grudges run as deep as the icy mountain crevices. And yet, I urge you, don’t be blinded in your righteous fury! Don’t break the hand that has been protecting the North from sword and magic!”

She turned around, deaf to the cries coming from below, and pointed at Noah’s slashed back.

“Every one of those scars was acquired while protecting Norden. Every drop of blood your Lord has bled, he bled for his beloved people. Do not demand new bloodshed today. Do not demand his life for something he is not guilty of!”

From within the crowd's thunderous hubbub, a voice rose and stifled all to silence.

“It is Duke Norden’s own verdict that has been carried out.” Zeze from Argali Planes stepped forth from the row of Binshi dignitaries. “He was noble enough to take upon himself the punishment of Lady Shana. Are you saying that his judgment was flawed? Are you saying that the one to be flogged should have been the child?”

Some angry shouts rose from the masses.

Lorelei bit her lips and ignored them. Instead, she plastered a calm smile on her face and turned to the Binshi woman.

“The Lord of Norden, although wise, is still just a man and not infallible. In his attempt at fairness, as the ruler of this land, he couldn’t bring himself to give a milder sentence to his daughter. And yet, as a father, he couldn’t let his child suffer. Still, both those decisions are unjust and would only bring harm to an innocent man.”

“So what are you saying, Duchess?” Now it was Baron Firmon’s old voice that rose. “Should we let crimes go unpunished?”

“No, my lord. But the punishment should not be born by others.”

After those words, Lorelei turned to the crowd.

“Say, people of Norden, what do you want to teach your children? Do you want to teach them that they can do any wrong as long as there is someone out there to take the burnt of the punishment in their place?”

“Are you demanding for a child to be flogged and her hands broken!?” Zeze screamed. “Are you plotting to kill the last Star-gazer?”

“If the lady were to let me finish before twisting my words, she would have known that I wish no harm to come upon Lady Shana. The point of punishments, the point of law, is for wrongdoers to recognize their mistakes and never repeat them, an act impossible when someone takes the whip in their stead. And yet, the the punishment should also befit the crime.”

Holding the ends of the cloak tightly before her chest, Lorelei swallowed dryly. In a few moments, the fate of Noah would be decided. And most likely also her own. Throwing a searching look over the sea of people, she imagined seeing Rish and Milly amongst the faces. The two had an important part to play but whether they had succeeded, it would be seen soon.

“My dear people!” She wetted her lips. “The charges against Lady Shana are serious - assisting the Red Hands and attempting to steal the Star of Norden, damaging it in the process. But tell me, can the owner steal something they already possess?”

The square was suddenly engulfed in silence.

“Tell me, my people, was it not Lady Shana’s birth father, the honorable Lord Yanosh, the one who created the Star? And after his death, by the laws of this land, isn’t Lady Shana the rightful owner of his heirloom? And isn’t it by the laws of the Binshi that the ownership of a charm or an artifact, if not otherwise stated by its maker, is to be transferred to the next of their bloodline.”

“Mir-Mama, it is so!” a woman from the crowd shouted.

“Indeed, it’s the same in my family,” responded another. “If not, then who would own our ancestral charms?”

Encouraged by those words, Lorelei raised her voice.

“As such, Lady Shana can not steal what is rightfully hers.”

“But what about her colluding with the Red Hands?” Baron Firmon huffed. “What about her damaging the Star and compromising the Castle’s defenses and allowing enemy forces to penetrate?”

“You call a child’s wrong judgment collusion?” Lorelei shook her head. “If the child is gullible, it is simply a sign of immaturity and not a crime wort capital punishment. Otherwise, our dungeons will be full of children.”

For the first time, laughter rose from the gathered people. A few women shouted in support under their husband’s approving gazes. Yet another voice cooled the joyous moment.

“But because of this mistake, the Red Hands infiltrated the castle.” Zeze unexpectedly supported the old baron. “And this gave some traitors the chance to harm the kush-turgans!”

Before Lorelei could retort, help came from an unexpected direction.

“If I didn't know better, I would have said that Argali Plane is very keen on seeing the Moren-gadir getting punished.”

The one who had spoken was a woman carrying the crest of Twin-moon Lake. On second glance, Lorelei recognised in her the one who had served as Kash-baba’s anchor.

A hubbub rose amongst the Binshi delegation with many sharp words being exchanged before Lorelei could intervene.

“Esteemed Elders, I understand your grief and anger.” Under her cloak, her nails bit in the soft parts of her palms. “But can you blame the rolling pebble for the landslide. Our enemies have used any crack to sneak in, even the heart of a child. But this is even more reason for repelling the current judgment. We should allow Lady Shana a chance to atone and rebuild. And we should not sacrifice the man who was instrumental in repelling the attacks.”

“So what are you proposing, lady?” Kash-baba’s granddaughter demanded.

“Since Lady Shana has awakened, under the guidance of the Elders from the Great Clans, she should be able to use the Star-gazer’s powers to repair the Star of Norden.” Lorelei took a deep breath. “Still, the mistakes of the child are reflective of negligence in the parents’ upbringing. As such, the laws of Norden demand the failed parents to be stripped down to their undergarments and perform a walk of shame from the judgment site back to their homes with everyone gathered being allowed to throw stones at them for failing their duties as guardians. So, what do you say, people of Norden? Would you seek true justice and redemption or blood and destruction?”

Silence.

Every beat of Lorelei’s heart was a painful thunder, deafening and overwhelming. The following moments felt like eternity. Then, a single shout split the air.

“Mercy! Change the verdict!”

Lorelei sucked a breath and her heart quivered.

“Mercy!” A woman followed suit.

“The Duchess speaks wisely!” another one bellowed. “Change the verdict!”

Little by little, the whole square took up the chant until thousands of throats roared like a singular being: “Change the verdict!”

Tears welled in Lorelei’s eyes. She turned around, the crest of norden embroidered on her cloak catching the sun’s rays and glittering like covered in ice and fresh snow.

She raised her hand and the crowd muted.

“Sir Duncan, you’ve heard the will of Norden. Release the Duke.”

“Yes, my Duchess!”

There was a glint in the old knight’s eye as he threw away the whip and drew out his dagger. Before long, the ropes tying Noah’s wrists snapped. He staggered a bit but Duncan grabbed his arm and steadied him.

As he stepped forth and stood next to her, Lorelei couldn’t gather the courage to look him in the eyes. No matter what, she had disgraced him by opposing his verdict. Suddenly, she felt the shy touch of cold fingers on her wrist.

Lifting her head, she met his gaze, his smoldering eyes making her hold her breath. His mouth parted, as if he wanted to say something, but instead, he clenched his jaw. Without uttering a word, he took her palm and placed a kiss on her burning skin. Then he turned to the ones gathered balow.

“People of Norden! My people!” His voice was strong but hoarse. “I hear your will and obey!”

He bowed deeply. Lorelei curtsied, her hand still firmly in his grip.

Under the cheers of the crowd, the two descended the platform. The knights gathered around them, hurrying to assist their lord, but Noah sent them away with a wave of his hand.

“It isn’t over yet.”

Lorelei nodded silently and unclasped her cloak, revealing the white chemise beneath.

Fast as lightning, Noah grabbed the ends of the cape and tucked them under her chin.

“Don’t,” he whispered. “You don’t need to do this.”

“I do.” She gently pushed his hands away and allowed the cloak to fall on the ground. “I opposed the verdict. And also, as your wife, I am Shana’s mother in the eyes of the law.”

“But Ildemar is six kilometers away. It’s too long of a trek-”

“My lord,” she interrupted him, “I’m not really a fine, noble lady, and you are aware of it. Let’s not postpone this much longer, lest the people have a change of heart.”

After those words, she attempted to go forth, but Noah grabbed her wrist and held her back.

“Together.”

Hand in hand, the two emerged on the square. The knights, the Shadows, and the city guard had cleared up a path through the sea of onlookers, standing as a living iron wall between them and the citizens of Yalda. As they went through the corridor, roars and whistling filled the air.

Lorelei’s stomach turned. Soon, the stones should start falling. She felt Noah gripping her fingers tighter and savored the fleeting security this small gesture gave her. Then, something hit her head.

Bracing for the pain, Lorelei realized a moment too late that it hadn’t hurt at all. Then her nose caught the fleeting scent of honey as a little bundle of white flowers rolled in her feet. Soon after, leaves, flowers, even ribbons, started raining down on them, with the people chanting at the top of their lungs:

“Long live the Duke of Norden! Long live Lady Shimshi!”

In no time, Lorelei and Noah’s feet no longer touched the ground but instead walked on a blooming carpet. The news of the verdict seemed to grow wings as more and more people rushed to line up along the road to Ildemar, eager to see their lord and lady and to cover them in petals. It spilled over Yalda’s walls and reached every farm, burrow, and cottage, and even some traveling merchants and pilgrims were caught up and participated in the unusual event.

Walking side by side in silence, Lorelei brushed a few traitorous tears with her sleeve, but her soul felt light and liberated. Never in her wildest dreams had she expected for the situation to be resolved in such a way. Her body still shook from the mental and emotional strain, but the future looked bright.

“I owe you so much, Lorelei.” Suddenly, Noah spoke in a hushed tone so that only she could hear him. “I… I have no words to describe my gratitude.”

“Just promise me you’ll never do something as foolish as this,” she replied a bit harsher than intended.

He stiffened for a moment but didn’t respond, prompting her to let out a bitter laughter.

“Do you think yourself invincible? Your body - unbreakable?”

“No, but I have an excellent healer to patch me up.”

“I refuse! And this is no joking matter!” She shook her head in desperation. “How many scars are you willing to add?”

“As many as necessary,” he replied solemnly but then his tone lightened. “Your speech was really something. But you must know that most of my scars are from the Empress’ failed attempts to send me to the Father of Darkness, not from defending Norden.”

“I do know this. But they didn’t.”

She could feel him flinch and sensed his heavy gaze on her.

“You played a dangerous game, Lorelei.”

“Not as dangerous as yours.” She didn’t back down. “Besides, Rish and Milly were there with some of the kitchen maids to rally the crowd.”

“You…” For a moment, Noah was speechless. “Are you perchance William De Mar in a dress?”

“I’m a quick learner.”

With that, their conversation ended and Lorelei dedicated her full concentration on the road ahead of her.

She had said that six kilometers won’t be an issue, but her body was currently not agreeing with her mouth’s statements. With each step, her tendons ached, her bruises from the cliff fall still too fresh. Beads of sweat covered her brow but her whole frame shook from wave after wave of chills that seeped into her bones. The faces of the onlookers blurred in a singular colorful mass, the only thing still crystal clear being the winding road before her.

‘Don’t falter. Don’t show them weakness. Just a bit more!’ she repeated in her head, dragging one foot in front of the other. If she didn't finish the walk, the magic might shatter. The people might regret pardoning Noah. Disaster might strike again. She needed to push forward. For him. For herself. For Norden.

Finally, the castle’s white walls emerged after the next bend in the roar - cold and imposing; familiar and welcoming. There was another large crowd before the gates awaiting the return of their masters. Cooks, pages, maids, scribes, knights, squires, carpenters, jesters, all stood there, flowers in hand, and their shouts reached the heavens.

Lorelei’s heart raced faster and faster. The moment her food landed on the main gate’s threshold, the world spun violently around her.

Leaning heavily on Noah’s shoulder, Lorelei’s knees gave out. But she wasn’t afraid. He was going to catch her.

“I’m sorry, my lord,” she muttered, the last thing entering her vision being Noah’s distraught face. “I think you’ll have to carry me the last couple of steps.”

“Lorelei!” His shout fell on deaf ears.

Gripped by panic, Noah touched Lorelei’s forehead.

“Damn it, you stubborn woman! You are burning up!”

Under the gaze of all gathered, the Duke of Norden picked up the fainted Duchess and, ignoring his own injuries, rushed inside the castle.