Page 45 of Revealing Fate

Saul’s somber eyes grew even more mournful, and Felíne knew what he would say before the words left his mouth. “And yet, you have lied a great deal since joining Kal’s company.”

Anger flickered beneath her pain, though she had no right to it. “I did not join his company; I was taken.”

Saul studied her. “You led Kal to believe you were Railah Harless.”

She stiffened. “I was afraid.”

“Even after learning Kal did not intend to harm you?”

Felíne frowned. “I know what this looks like. I know you have no reason to trust me. But I cannot tell you my name. I can only assure you that I have no intention of betraying Kalevar or any of you. I only wish to return home. I must return home.”

“To Asteros.”

Felíne nodded.

Saul sighed softly. “I am responsible for the well-being of thousands of shurii,” he said, and Felíne nearly laughed at the miserable irony. “You understand that I cannot simply release you and hope that you will not reveal what you have seen to the King and Queen of Asteros.”

“Then what will you do with me?”

Saul regarded her. “I would have you prove your innocence.”

Felíne was quiet for a breath before speaking. “The inquiry.”

Saul dipped his chin, serious.

“And this entails what, exactly?”

“A trial,” he said.

Was he joking? “How is that impartial? You would have me tried by a committee of people who already believe me guilty?”

“Not that kind of trial,” Saul clarified. “Meress welcomes people from all walks of life. We have provided refuge for countless shurii possessing less-than-savory backgrounds, many of whom do not wish to divulge the deep sources of their personal torments. But we must have a way to establish credibility among these people, lest we risk discovery and subsequent ruin.”

“I don’t understand,” Felíne said.

“Anyone wishing to remain in Meress must prove themselves trustworthy. You must demonstrate your innocence, the purity of your intentions, by completing a trial.”

Trade Master Grisham’s scales, their pans balanced between ivory and obsidian stones, flashed in her memory. “What would you have me do?”

“First, you must choose your trial,” Saul said with a slight smile.

Felíne’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I get to choose?”

“To an extent,” he replied. “You have the option to submit to a verbal inquiry by the Conclave or…” Here, he hesitated.

“Or what?”

“You can opt for a physical trial.”

Felíne’s expression grew guarded. There had to be some catch. The verbal inquiry couldn’t be as simple as answering a few questions. She voiced as much.

The corners of his mouth tipped up, betraying his amusement at her deduction. “You would be required to ingest a dose of integris prior to the inquiry.”

Felíne’s lips parted. Integris was a tincture made from an exceedingly rare herb. The process was painstaking, taking months and leaving little room for error, with potentially disastrous consequences. However, once effectively compounded, integris gifted its wielder with a potent means of extracting the truth from whoever ingested it. Two drops of the tincture under the tongue were powerful enough to make a mute man speak. Any posed question would be met with an honest answer.

“And the alternative?” Felíne asked. There was no way she could risk ingesting integris. “What does the physical trial entail?”

Saul sobered, smile fading. “I would not recommend it.”