Lina was summoned at midday by a young warrior at the servants' quarters while she was folding linens. His face was flat and his voice was in deep.
"The elders want you in the great hall. To testify about the accused."
Lina's hands stilled on the linen. "Aria?"
"Now."
He didn't wait for her to follow. His boots were already retreating down the corridor. Lina set the linen aside. Her finger were steady but her hands weren’t.
She had known this was coming. She had prepared for it. But preparation and performance were different things, and the great hall was full of wolves who could smell a lie.
She smoothed her dress. She tucked her hair behind her ears. She walked to the great hall with her chin lifted and her hands clasped in front of her.
The hall was not as crowded as the day befo
