As soon as Sabine received forgiveness from Kaleeth and Meesei left, a wave of fatigue overcame her. Even though Kaleeth was still talking, she crawled over to her bedroll and slid under the cover. She thought she might respond to Kaleeth once she opened her eyes, but she was unconscious faster than she realised.

Everyone's attention went to Meesei as soon as the door to the meeting room scraped open again. Janius was thankful that she turned up before Oswall or any other of the lieutenants felt like stirring up trouble again.

There was barely a time for another greeting before Meesei began her proposal. By the time she was done, the notion that Jerrick's murder was a direct betrayal and that she culprit would suffer for it hung heavy in the air between the lieutenants. They held stiff frowns, glancing between each other and the ground. All except Vera, who still looked hollow and wrecked and continued staring at the centre of the table without flinching.

A moment passed, then another, and another. It became clear that none of the lieutenants were going to step up. Whoever the killer was among them, the confidence held in their motives was not faltering. The only sound in the room was eventually an almost silent sigh of disappointment from Fendros by the door.