Councilor Tevos was one of the last of her kind: she had a personal shuttle, boarding-school manners, let any moral come along and she would uphold it; she was born in the objective case; she was an incurable gossip, or, rather, the subject of the gossip. When Tevos went to school, self-doubt could not be found in any textbook, although she knew too well its meaning. She was never bored, and given the slightest chance, she would exercise her royal prerogative: she would arrange, advice, caution, and warn. That is a councilor’s job, of course.

Even with such finesse, Tevos had not expected Justicar Samara to enter her office, especially not without a scheduled meeting. …Or…did she? She looks surprised.

“Justicar Samara, it is good to see you after so long.” Tevos greets, standing slowly from her seat behind the cautionary desk.