The crowd scattered into whispers the moment Bren and his men disappeared beyond the gate, leaving silence in their place, heavier than anything spoken aloud.
I turned to Elara. She stood frozen, staring at the spot where Bren had vanished, her face unreadable.
"I will find a way around this," I said. "Old law or not, I will not let you face him."
"You cannot fight in my place," she said quietly. "Elder Mira said the challenge names me directly."
"I do not care what the law says."
"I do," she said, finally meeting my eyes. "Because if I hide behind you now, everyone who just watched me claim my mother's name will see exactly what Bren wants them to see. A weak girl who cannot stand for herself."
"This is not about proving something to a crowd," I said. "This is about you staying aliv
