"This court will recess while I deliberate," the judge said.
Guards stepped forward almost immediately.
"The outlander will remain in custody until judgment is rendered," the judge added without looking at her. "She will be called if we have any more questions."
Sonder stiffened, but she did not resist as the guards took her by the arm. They led her through a side corridor.
The holding cell was serviceable. She waited there for hours.
At one point a clerk arrived carrying a slate and a pen. He spoke with bureaucratic precision, eyes never meeting hers.
"You are charged with unlawful entry into the seat of a noble house," he recited. "Under Thole law this constitutes a breach of domain, a crime punishable by no less than ten years' confinement, should guilt be confirmed. Do you understand?"
"Ten years," Sonder repeated, the number landing like a stone.
The clerk dipped his pen into the ink. "Yes. You may appeal."
He marked the slate and left without another word.
She rose and gripped the bars of the cell, exhausted.
By the time the lock turned again, the sky had gone a deep, evening blue.
Thiliel stood in the doorway, a lantern in her hand, her face picked out in the glow.
"It's done," she said simply. "You're free."
Sonder blinked. "Free?"
"Yes. You should have faced ten years' confinement for trespass into a noble seat," Thiliel said. "But as a member of House Nesh, and with House Hoar now in shambles, there is no one left with standing to bring the charge."
"What happens to them now?" Sonder asked.
Thiliel's gaze remained flat and unreadable. "Those responsible for the kidnapping of my nephew will be executed. Those of lesser guilt will serve life in prison."
"Executed?" Sonder said, stunned. "They did wrong, but is there not another way? Exile or prison?"
Thiliel's expression hardened. "That is the Thole way. You should have thought about what your actions would set in motion before you took them."
Sonder lowered her head.
Thiliel's voice softened, if only a touch. "You did what was necessary. You could not have known the full consequences, but if Vhereli had died, House Nesh might have died with him. We would have lost our heir and our line. Hoar would have claimed our seat while we were weakened and ruled without restraint. You think Nesh cruel? Hoar is far worse. They have no patience for mercy. Under their rule, outlanders like you would have been purged or enslaved. You may not know it, but among the Thole, Nesh is the kindest house you could hope to serve."