The large courtroom of Laeddun was crammed full with attendants from the inner circle of Sturreland. Nobody had expected so many to come, not even Elissa, who had personally asked almost half of the people present to attend the trial.

Nannade was in the usual prison gowns and chain hauberk, as well as ward of containment pinned to her like talismans. She sat opposite of the podium where Loganna and her twelve trusted judges would sit, next to Nannade sat Elissa and Garetas. Neither of the three felt particularly comfortable sitting there, the air seemed thick and abuzz with the mere breathing of the audience.

Nannade also noticed the glances Elissa and Black Surgeon exchanged, although Black Surgeon tried his best to suppress that. One more mystery solved! Nannade had to smirk.

She also saw Aaka and was surprisingly happy to see the little speck alive and well; they waved at each other in acknowledgement.

Also present were six cloaked figures wearing masks. Nannade recognized Blue Wing's build and clothes on one of them; the other five were called specifically for the ritual of her marking, all of them bearing the Lodge’s mark as well. Hidden Hands reserved themselves the right to wear masks and only be addressed by their call sign, even in public, although that would defeat the purpose of subtlety in some cases. As Garetas had told Nannade, this tribunal of five reserved themselves the right to wrest jurisdiction over the accused from the Lodge and sentence her themselves, although he had assured her that that would merely be a trump card they would threaten the judges with, in order to gain entrance into the judges deliberation, should they endanger Nannade’s future as a member – or at least a tool – of the Hidden Hands.

Order was called in the courtroom, the last whispered conversations died down. The master of ceremonies asked the people present to rise. Then Arch-Druid Loganna entered, followed by her twelve trusted judges; Loganna raised her voice.

“We have called this session to conclude the trial that had begun on 1-1-3 of the year 1346. I hereby open this session and ask the last session's transcript be read.” She sat down and the remaining people present followed suit.

What followed was dry protocol, only reiterating what was still all too memorable in Nannade's mind. After the transcript had been read, the nature and conditions the judges had set for the tests were read. Then the report as transmitted by Aaka. Nannade was not entirely prepared to have it all read out. Her loss of direction below the mountains was embarrassing to have described in such a dry tone. But the truly embarrassing part was when they read the parts concerning Stakkarun. Although Olly was merely a short mention in the report, this short mention of her private life was all the more embarrassing to hear out in the open like this. Elissa turned to Nannade with a big fat smile on her face, while Garetas’ rolled his eyes at the prospect of having even to hear about it.

And finally, the reports as handed in by the people under whose supervision Nannade had solved the tests were read. Commissario Fanderi had written only a short letter about how Nannade had done as she had been instructed. He had, however, attached a much longer report by the university of Plirova about the Lord of the Tunnels, based on the head Nannade had hauled up to the surface. When it was read, many members of the inner circle seemed impressed and frightened by the creature.

Professor Alivor's letter contained great accolades about Nannade’s initiative and crucial role for the success of the mission and her cooperation as part of a team, he even mentioned her faked turn to the opposing side, although Ssil's involvement in pulling Nannade back to the right side had not been included. Nannade assumed even the professor didn’t know about it. What surprised Nannade was a short letter by Ionna, who had apparently insisted on handing in her two bits, thinking that Nannade was merely absolving a rite of passage for witches of Sturreland. In it she spoke of Nannade's commitment to the cause, her ability to put differences aside, but also her strong will against authority from above while in the field.

Then Blue Wing gave a short recollection of their travels together. They had been mostly about this and that, professional experiences that the veteran had made, tips for her future and her plans in the business, but he did include her cooperation and obedience during her supervision by Blue Wing.

Finally, the acorn Nannade had received from the embrace of the dreamers was brought in, kept well in a wooden box adorned with fine inlays. Revealing the spark of thought inside of it to the audience required a short ritual, but when the approval of Nannade flooded the room, none of those who received it were able to object to her trustworthiness in the eyes of that ancient and powerful being. Elissa took Nannade’s hand and smiled. “We told you, you did well.”

Some other notes were wrapped up and Black Surgeon gave a few last comments, then the floor was opened to questions.

The opportunity was immediately taken up by several members of the inner circle asking questions, especially to Black Surgeon and Aaka. Most of it were smaller questions regarding Nannade's decisions, but then Loganna raised a question, and Nannade was sure the old Lady was up to something.

“Aaka, Black Surgeon, why have you omitted some specific details from the report, such as Nannade’s inclination to cruelty?”

The courtroom was silent for a few short moments. Neither Aaka nor Black Surgeon said anything, Nannade could see the thoughts racing in their heads.

Black Surgeon eventually picked up the question. “I would like you to be more precise in exactly what you mean so I can be sure we’re talking of the right context.”

The answer reeked of stalling for time. Nannade could not believe Black Surgeon had dared to manipulate the reports without a backup plan.

Loganna's gaze was so full of judgement and disdain that it seemed to poison the very light in the room. Then she turned to one of the Guardians next to the podium.

“Bring him in.”

The Guardian left the room and soon after returned supporting a man that seemed oddly familiar to Nannade, but she couldn’t put a finger on it. He had brown hair and a long beard. His form was tall and broad, but gaunt and hunched on his cane. His eyes seemed to stare into an empty distance. His clothes were unfitting orange leather garments.

“Who is that?” Elissa whispered leaning over to her, but Nannade could only shake her head, the man's familiarity was captivating, her mind locked I a state of just not yet recognizing and dreading the answer at the same time.

Just when he passed by Nannade a shock hit her. She realized who it was.

It was Bronislaw.