Page 87 of The War of Four Winters

We both froze, my spear still extended, her position now defensive. For a heartbeat, the entire pavilion seemed suspended in silence, the implications of what had just occurred settling over the assembled witnesses.

Then Lady Sariel straightened, lowering her weapon. "Water has witnessed," she announced, her voice carrying to every corner of the pavilion. "The Trial is concluded."

The copper bowl sounded again, its resonant tone marking the end of the combat. Lady Sariel approached, extending her arm where the thin cut was already beginning to close. "House Redrock acknowledges your victory," she said formally.

Captain Malek stepped forward with the copper bowl of scented water. Lady Sariel dipped her fingers into it and traced a new symbol beside the first on my forehead, a circular pattern that represented flowing water returning to its source.

"You have earned the mark of honored victor," she explained, her voice carrying to the assembled witnesses. "House Redrock has not seen an outsider triumph in the Trial of Flowing Waters for nine generations."

The clan members murmured among themselves, many looking at me with open curiosity and something that might have been respect. Whatever Lady Sariel had just done held significant cultural meaning beyond mere recognition of combat prowess.

"The Assembly gathers within the hour," she continued. "House Redrock will cast its vote according to the wisdom revealed in the sacred trial." Her amber eyes held mine. "Your conviction has proven stronger than I anticipated, human consort. Our oldest records may not be mere legend after all."

"Does this mean...?" I left the question unfinished, hardly daring to hope.

"It means House Redrock acknowledges honor where it exists, regardless of its source." Her expression remained composed, but something in her tone had changed subtly. "We respond to action rather than words, to demonstrated conviction rather than political promises."

She turned to Captain Malek. "Prepare my Assembly robes. And bring the Rivers Circlet."

"The Rivers Circlet has not been worn in the Assembly for generations," he replied, surprise evident in his tone.

"Today it will be." Lady Sariel's amber eyes found mine once more. "Our oldest records speak of a time when our peoples stood as equals, trading knowledge and culture rather than dominance and submission. Perhaps such days might come again, if those with sufficient conviction lead the way."

She gestured to attendants who immediately approached with bowls of scented water and soft cloths. "Clean yourself, human consort. The Assembly will not wait, and you have earned the right to witness what follows."

As servants helped me wash away sweat and sand, Aryn approached, his ice-blue eyes wide with something that might have been awe. "That was... unexpected," he murmured, helping me don fresh clothing provided by Redrock attendants.

"Did I win?" I asked quietly, still not entirely certain what had just occurred.

"You did more than win a duel," he replied. "You've earned cultural recognition from one of the most traditional houses in the Assembly. The mark she placed on you is a symbol only given to those House Redrock considers worthy of alliance."

Hope bloomed in my chest. "Then she'll vote for Ruith's freedom?"

"I believe so, though representatives never explicitly state their intentions before the formal vote." His expression grew serious. "But we must hurry. The Assembly gathers soon, and Tarathiel will have his own strategies in motion."

As we prepared to depart for the Assembly Hall, Lady Sariel reappeared, now dressed in formal robes of deep red and blue interwoven with threads of copper and gold. Upon her brow rested what must be the Rivers Circlet she had mentioned, a delicate band of copper inlaid with blue stones that formed flowing patterns reminiscent of water.

"House Redrock marches to the Assembly," she announced. "The human consort and Duskfell representative will accompany us under our protection."

The significance of this declaration was not lost on me. Walking with House Redrock's formal procession meant we would pass through D'thallanar's streets openly, safely, despite the Primarch's search for us. It was both practical protection and public statement.

As we formed into ordered ranks, Lady Sariel moved to walk beside me. "The duel revealed interesting truths, Elindir of Ostovan," she said. "You fight like someone who has learned to adapt to circumstances beyond your control. Like someone who has endured rather than merely existed."

"I've had practice," I replied simply.

"So I see." Her dark eyes studied my face. "The rebel king sees potential for more than just alliance between our peoples, doesn't he? He envisions a true partnership. Equality."

"He does." I met her gaze directly. "As do I."

"A dangerous vision," she observed. "One that threatens the very foundations of current elven society."

"Sometimes foundations must be rebuilt if the structure above is to survive," I countered.

Something like amusement flickered in her expression. "Well said, human consort." She looked ahead to where the Assembly dome was visible against the morning sky. "Let us see if your king's vision can survive the Assembly's judgment."

The massive gates of the Redrock compound swung open, revealing streets already filled with representatives from other houses making their way toward the Assembly Hall. Many turned to stare as our unusual procession emerged. The traditionally isolated House Redrock marched in formal array, accompanied by a human and the silver-haired son of Tarathiel, who had rejected his father's house.

Ahead lay the Assembly Hall, where Ruith would soon stand in judgment before the gathered clans. We had secured House Redrock's support through unexpected means, bringing us closer to the majority needed to save his life. Yet, as Lady Sariel had warned, Tarathiel would have his own strategies in motion.

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