She whispered, “We’re moving forward?”
Taliesimon couldn’t hear her over the crowd, but read the words on the younger girl’s lips.
“However,” The Commander said sternly, holding up a finger, and the crowd quieted. “With the charges levied against these two, and no further unbiased witnesses to be found, under the eyes of Trevandor their innocence or guilt will be determined in their first bouts. Should either girl lose, she will be deemed guilty of misdeeds and be permanently banned from ever entering the Gauntlet again.” He flashed a wide smile as he finished. Taliesimon didn’t think she’d ever seen such a self-satisfied smirk in all her life. Not even from her older brother when he’d successfully gotten her in trouble with their parents. Okara’s grin faltered. Did I just hear that righ
