The morning sun crested the eastern hills, casting long shadows across the winding road as the delegation reached the final ridge overlooking Aldoria's capital. Elaine came to a halt alongside the others, gazing down at the sprawling city that filled the valley below.

  Unlike the scattered villages they had passed, the capital was a complex organism, layered and segmented in its construction. At its heart rose a cluster of gleaming white towers, golden spires catching the morning light like flames frozen in stone. Surrounding this core, concentric rings of buildings spread outward, the architecture growing less ornate and more crowded with each layer, until the outermost ring pressed against massive stone walls.

  "Impressive, isn't it?" Thaddeus said, noting her careful study of the view. "The largest city in the realm, home to over a hundred thousand souls."

  "The contrast is striking," Elaine replied, her enhanced vision allowing her to discern details that others might miss—the immaculate gardens of the inner districts, the crowded tenements of the outer rings, the precise organization of some areas compared to the chaotic sprawl of others.

  Riona guided her horse alongside Elaine's, pointing toward the city center. "The palace complex occupies the central hill—those white towers with golden spires. The Royal College adjoins it to the southeast—you can see the blue domes of the observatory." Her finger traced a path to the northeast. "That section with the larger estates is the Noble Quarter, where the kingdom's most powerful families maintain their city residences."

  "And the western quarter?" Elaine asked, noting the bustle visible even from this distance.

  "The Merchant District," Riona confirmed. "Guild halls, markets, craftsmen's workshops. The wealth of Aldoria flows through those streets." She gestured toward the outermost rings. "Beyond that lie the Commons, where ordinary citizens live and work. The conditions grow progressively more... challenging as you approach the walls."

  Thaddeus, who had been listening to this exchange with interest, urged his wagon forward. "We should continue. The College will be expecting us before midday."

  As they descended toward the main gates, Elaine noted how Thaddeus straightened his posture and adjusted his robes, a man conscious of returning to his seat of power. Even Garrett seemed to shed some of his travel-worn irritability, while Edmund's excitement grew more pronounced with each step toward the city.

  The transformation in their demeanor was illuminating—these men were returning to familiar territory where their status was established and their roles clearly defined. For Elaine, the journey was the opposite—leaving behind the simplicity of village life for something far more complex.

  "The College will hold a formal reception for you tomorrow," Thaddeus informed her as they approached the gates. "Today, you'll be shown to your quarters and allowed to settle in. I imagine you'll appreciate the rest after our journey."

  The city walls loomed ahead, three times the height of a man and twice as thick, their ancient stones weathered but formidable. Guards in royal livery stood at attention, their polished breastplates bearing the kingdom's emblem—a stylized tree encircled by stars.

  The delegation's approach caused an immediate shift in the gates' usual operation. Where merchants and travelers waited in long lines for inspection, the royal insignia on Riona's tabard and Thaddeus's official seal prompted the guards to snap to attention, signaling for the delegation to proceed without delay.

  "Senior Examiner Thaddeus, welcome back to the capital," the guard captain said, bowing deeply. His eyes flickered curiously to Elaine before returning to Thaddeus. "The College sent word to expect your return today."

  "Thank you, Captain," Thaddeus replied with practiced authority. "We've had a long journey."

  "Of course, Senior Examiner. Please proceed." The captain's gaze lingered on Elaine once more, a look somewhere between curiosity and wariness, before he turned to bark orders for the delegation's passage.

  As they entered the city proper, Elaine noticed how the streets widened and the buildings grew taller, constructed of increasingly fine materials. The common thatch of village roofs gave way to clay tiles, then slate, then finely glazed ceramic in vibrant blues and reds. Market stalls became proper shops with painted signs and glass windows. The smell of refuse and livestock that permeated most settlements was gradually replaced by the aromas of baking bread, exotic spices, and the subtle scent of wealth—beeswax candles, imported perfumes, freshly cut flowers.

  What didn't change, however, was the attention they attracted.

  At first, it was merely the usual deference shown to royal guards and College officials—people stepping aside to let them pass, respectful nods, occasional bows from those seeking to curry favor. But as they progressed deeper into the city, Elaine began to notice something else—whispers that followed in their wake, fingers pointing not at Thaddeus or the royal guard, but at her.

  "Is that her?" "The one they're calling the Miracle Healer—" "Heard she killed fifty men single-handed—" "—healed an entire village in one day—"

  The whispers grew louder, more insistent, as they traversed the merchant quarter. Shopkeepers emerged from their establishments, craftsmen paused in their work, and soon a small crowd began to form, trailing at a respectful distance behind their procession.

  "Your reputation precedes you," Riona murmured, dropping back to ride beside Elaine. "Word travels faster than horses in the kingdom."

  "So it seems," Elaine replied, maintaining her calm exterior despite the growing attention.

  A commotion erupted ahead as a woman pushed through the onlookers, clutching a small child to her chest. "Please!" she called, her voice raw with desperation. "Please, Healer! My son—the fever won't break—the College physicians say it's too advanced—"

  Two royal guards moved to intercept her, but Elaine raised a hand, stopping them.

  "Let her approach," she said quietly.

  The woman stumbled forward, tears streaming down her face. In her arms, a boy no more than four years old lay limp, his skin flushed with fever, his breathing shallow and rapid.

  "Three days he's been burning," the woman said, her words tumbling over each other. "The medicines aren't working. They say he might not last another night."

  Elaine dismounted in a fluid motion, approaching the woman and child. The crowd fell silent, pressing closer to witness what would happen. Even Thaddeus, who had been about to object to the delay, quieted, his shrewd eyes watching the tableau with calculating interest.

  "May I?" Elaine asked, holding out her hands.

  The woman nodded frantically, offering her child. Elaine took the boy gently, assessing his condition with both conventional knowledge and her enhanced senses. The fever was dangerously high, inflammation spreading through his lungs—pneumonia, advanced but not yet irreversible.

  She placed one hand on the child's forehead and the other over his chest. Golden light emanated from her palms, flowing into the boy's small body. The glow intensified briefly before sinking beneath his skin, illuminating him from within for a heartbeat before fading.

  The child's eyes fluttered open. He drew a deep, clear breath—the first in days—and color returned to his face as the fever dissipated completely.

  "Mama?" he asked, confusion replacing the delirium that had gripped him moments before.

  The woman fell to her knees, clasping her child to her chest with one arm while reaching for Elaine's hand with the other. "Thank you," she sobbed. "Thank you."

  Elaine gently disengaged, uncomfortable with the naked adoration in the woman's eyes. "Keep him warm and make sure he drinks plenty of water," she instructed, her tone professional despite the murmurs of amazement spreading through the crowd.

  As she remounted her horse, Riona gave her a measured look. "That was... direct."

  "So it was," Elaine replied simply.

  The delegation continued toward the College grounds, though now the crowd following them had grown substantially. Word of the healing spread ahead of them like fire through dry grass, and by the time they reached the impressive gates of the Royal College of Healing Arts, people lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the newcomer who could cure terminal illness with a touch.

  The College itself was a stark contrast to the growing chaos outside its walls. Where the city streets teemed with noise and motion, the College grounds exuded ordered serenity. Ancient stone buildings surrounded carefully maintained courtyards where medicinal herbs grew in precisely arranged gardens. Students in blue robes moved between classes with quiet purpose, carrying scrolls or baskets of plant specimens. Fountains provided gentle background music, their waters infused with aromatic herbs that perfumed the air.

  As they passed through the main gates, the outside world seemed to fall away, though the whispers followed them in a different form. College students and staff paused in their activities, watching the delegation with poorly concealed curiosity. Senior healers in deeper blue robes with silver trim emerged from various buildings, ostensibly going about their business but clearly maneuvering for a better view of the new arrival.

  "The College houses over three hundred healers, from apprentices to masters," Thaddeus explained as they proceeded toward the central courtyard. "The buildings surrounding us contain treatment rooms, research laboratories, libraries, and living quarters."

  At the center of the complex stood the most impressive structure—a grand building of pale stone with a sweeping staircase leading to massive oak doors. Atop its dome, the College emblem of a hand surrounded by rays of light was rendered in gold leaf that caught the midday sun.

  A small delegation waited at the foot of the stairs, led by a tall, austere man whose presence commanded attention despite his unadorned blue robes. His silver hair was cropped short, emphasizing sharp features and piercing eyes that immediately fixed on Elaine with calculated assessment.

  "Archmaster Valerian," Thaddeus said, dismounting with a formal bow that didn't quite disguise the tension in his shoulders. "We return successful in our mission."

  "So I see," Valerian replied, his voice deep and precisely modulated. His gaze remained on Elaine as she dismounted, missing nothing—not her simple traveling clothes, nor her ease of movement, nor the quiet confidence with which she met his scrutiny. "This is the healer from Riverside."

  It wasn't a question, but Thaddeus answered as if it were. "Indeed. May I present Healer Elaine, whose remarkable gifts will now benefit the College and the kingdom."

  Valerian extended his hands in formal greeting, though his expression remained reserved. "The College welcomes you, Healer Elaine. We look forward to learning more about your... methods."

  Something in his tone suggested skepticism beneath the courtesy. Elaine clasped his offered hands briefly, noting the subtle assessment in his touch—a healer's diagnostic reached, perhaps searching for the source of her abilities.

  "Thank you, Archmaster," she replied simply. "I look forward to contributing what I can."

  Edmund moved to Elaine's side, his genuinely welcoming expression a contrast to the political undercurrents flowing around them. "Archmaster Valerian oversees all College operations," he explained quietly. "He and Master Thaddeus hold... different visions for our future direction."

  "Different priorities, certainly," Valerian corrected, his hearing apparently sharper than Edmund had anticipated. "The College's primary purpose is to heal, not merely to study healing as an academic exercise."

  Thaddeus's smile thinned. "And yet without research and innovation, our healing remains limited by the past rather than expanding toward future potential."

  "Perhaps what matters most is what works, regardless of its origin," Elaine suggested, her comment drawing surprised glances from both men.

  Valerian studied her with renewed interest. "Indeed." After a moment's consideration, he gestured toward the imposing building behind him. "Your quarters have been prepared in the senior healers' residence. I imagine you'll appreciate time to refresh yourself after your journey."

  A steward stepped forward to escort Elaine, while another began giving instructions for the delegation's horses and luggage. The efficient choreography suggested extensive preparation for their arrival.

  "I'll join you shortly to discuss your formal introduction to the College," Thaddeus told Elaine. "There are protocols to be observed."

  Elaine followed the steward through the College grounds, aware of the eyes tracking her progress from windows and doorways. The senior healers' residence proved to be a graceful three-story structure set amid carefully tended gardens of rare medicinal plants. Inside, polished wood floors and elegant tapestries depicting famous healers throughout history created an atmosphere of refined scholarship.

  "Your chambers, Healer Elaine," the steward announced, opening ornately carved doors to reveal a suite that exceeded Elaine's expectations.

  Unlike the simple cottage in Riverside or even the comfortable inn rooms during their journey, these quarters spoke of status and privilege. A spacious sitting room with fine furniture opened onto a private study lined with bookshelves already stocked with healing texts. Beyond that lay a bedchamber with a canopied bed and hand-woven rugs, as well as a private bathing chamber—a luxury few outside the nobility enjoyed.

  Most surprising was the healing workspace—a fully equipped room with examination table, supply cabinets, alchemical apparatus, and large windows providing abundant natural light.

  "Is there anything you require?" the steward asked, watching Elaine's measured inspection of the quarters.

  "This is more than adequate," she replied honestly. "Thank you."

  "Fresh clothing has been provided in the wardrobe," he continued. "College robes in your size, as well as formal attire for court appearances. A personal attendant will be assigned to you tomorrow."

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  After the steward departed, Elaine moved to the windows, looking out over the medicinal gardens below. Students worked among the plants, harvesting leaves and flowers under the supervision of a senior healer. The scene was peaceful, ordered, civilized—yet Elaine knew from her brief interactions that beneath this tranquil surface lay currents of ambition, rivalry, and political maneuvering.

  The sitting room door opened again without a knock, revealing Edmund's enthusiastic face. "What do you think of your quarters? Quite impressive, aren't they? Most newcomers start with a single room in the junior quarters, but Thaddeus insisted you be given full senior accommodations."

  "They're unexpectedly grand," Elaine acknowledged.

  Edmund smiled, entering fully and closing the door behind him. "Your location is significant too. Did you notice? You're positioned exactly halfway between Thaddeus's wing and Valerian's—physically between the College's two power centers."

  Before Elaine could respond to this observation, rapid footsteps approached in the corridor outside. The door opened again without ceremony, revealing a royal messenger in palace livery, his expression conveying the urgency of his task.

  "Healer Elaine?" he confirmed, bowing crisply. "I bring summons from His Majesty King Harren. Your presence is required immediately at the palace regarding the incident at Riverside involving Lord Varren's forces."

  Edmund's eyebrows rose in surprise. "The King himself? But she's only just arrived—"

  "Senior Examiner Thaddeus is also summoned," the messenger continued, unperturbed by the interruption. "Captain Riona awaits at the College gates to escort you both."

  The messenger departed as abruptly as he had arrived, leaving Edmund blinking in his wake.

  "This is... unusual," he said, his earlier enthusiasm dampened by concern. "Normally new healers aren't presented at court for weeks, after proper preparation and—"

  A sharp knock interrupted him, and Thaddeus entered, his expression carefully controlled though tension showed in the set of his shoulders.

  "You've received the summons," he said, noting Edmund's presence with a slight frown. "This is highly irregular. Protocol dictates a proper introduction period before court appearances."

  "The King seems to disagree," Elaine observed mildly.

  "Yes, well." Thaddeus smoothed his robes, a habitual gesture suggesting discomfort. "We must comply, of course, but I believe it would be best if I explain the... complexities of the situation regarding Lord Varren. The political implications require careful presentation."

  "The summons specifically requested Elaine's firsthand account," Riona said from the doorway, her sudden appearance startling Thaddeus. The captain had changed from her travel attire into formal royal guard regalia, her tabard immaculate and sword gleaming at her hip. "We shouldn't keep His Majesty waiting."

  "Of course, but proper preparation—" Thaddeus began.

  "Is the King asking about the events at Riverside, or about Lord Varren's accusations against Master Thaddeus?" Elaine asked Riona directly.

  The captain's expression remained neutral, though something in her eyes suggested approval of the direct question. "Both. The death of fifty armed men on Crown territory demands explanation, as do the circumstances that led to such an incident."

  "Then we should proceed with haste," Elaine replied, turning to Thaddeus. "The facts will speak for themselves."

  Thaddeus's lips thinned, but he nodded. "Very well. Though I must insist you allow me to guide the conversation regarding College matters."

  As they prepared to depart, Garrett appeared, inserting himself into the entourage with obvious determination. "I'll accompany you," he announced, his tone suggesting this wasn't a request. "As Master Thaddeus's primary assistant, my presence is appropriate."

  "The summons didn't mention you," Riona pointed out with cool precision.

  "Nevertheless," Garrett replied stiffly, "protocol suggests—"

  "We don't have time for this," Riona interrupted. "The King's summons was specific. Thaddeus and Elaine are expected without delay."

  * * *

  The journey from the College to the palace was mercifully brief, though tense with unspoken concerns. They crossed a private courtyard connecting the two complexes, bypassing the public approach to the palace. Royal guards stood at attention along their path, their disciplined posture a marked contrast to the barely concealed curiosity in their eyes as Elaine passed.

  Thaddeus used the short walk to provide hurried advice, his voice low and urgent. "Address the King as 'Your Majesty' initially, then 'Sire' thereafter. Speak only when directly addressed. If asked about Lord Varren's accusations, emphasize that all proper healing protocols were followed and that weather conditions prevented my return."

  Riona, walking slightly ahead, gave no indication she was listening, though Elaine suspected the captain missed little.

  "Most importantly," Thaddeus continued, "allow me to explain the College's role and responsibilities. The relationship between the Crown and the College is complex, with traditions and arrangements stretching back centuries."

  They entered the palace through a side entrance reserved for official business, bypassing the more ornate public halls. Even so, the interior was impressively grand—marble floors, vaulted ceilings, tapestries depicting historic battles and royal achievements. Courtiers and officials moved purposefully through the corridors, many pausing to stare as Elaine passed.

  The whispers followed them, growing in intensity: "That's her—" "—killed them all with her bare hands, they say—" "—healed a dying child at the east gate not an hour ago—" "—never seen Master Thaddeus look so concerned—"

  Riona led them deeper into the palace, finally stopping before massive gilded doors where royal guards stood at attention. The captain exchanged quiet words with the guard commander, who nodded and signaled for his men to prepare for their entry.

  Thaddeus tugged imperceptibly at his robes, ensuring perfect presentation. His earlier confidence had subtly diminished with each step toward the throne room, replaced by a carefully maintained facade of calm that didn't quite reach his eyes.

  "Remember," Riona said quietly to Elaine, "speak only the truth. The King values honesty above flattery."

  The great doors swung open, revealing the throne room beyond—a vast chamber whose soaring ceiling was supported by marble columns twined with gold. Massive windows of colored glass cast patterns of light across the polished floor, illuminating the assembled court in jewel-toned radiance.

  At the far end, upon a raised dais, sat King Harren of Aldoria.

  He was younger than Elaine had expected, perhaps forty, with a closely trimmed beard and intelligent eyes that watched their approach with careful assessment. His crown—a relatively simple band of gold set with three white gems—rested upon dark hair just beginning to show threads of silver at the temples. Though clearly wealthy, his attire showed less ostentation than many of his courtiers, suggesting a man who understood power required no excessive display.

  Standing to his right was a slim woman whose resemblance marked her as a close relative—a sister, perhaps, or cousin—while his left was flanked by an older man in the robes of a royal advisor. Around the throne stood members of the royal guard in ceremonial armor, their vigilance evident despite their decorative appearance.

  The court fell silent as Elaine and Thaddeus approached, following Riona's lead in the formal procession toward the throne. Nobles and officials lined the chamber, their finery a riot of color and competing status symbols. Their expressions ranged from curious to wary to openly calculating as they assessed the newcomers.

  Riona stopped at the prescribed distance from the dais, bowing with practiced precision. "Your Majesty, I present Senior Examiner Thaddeus Merrick of the Royal College of Healing Arts, and Healer Elaine of Riverside, as commanded."

  Thaddeus executed a formal bow, his movements suggesting decades of court experience. Elaine followed suit, offering a respectful inclination of her head that gathered some murmurs from the crowd.

  "Rise," King Harren said, his voice carrying easily through the chamber despite its moderate volume. He studied them both with particular attention, his gaze lingering on Elaine with unconcealed interest. "Captain Riona has submitted her initial report regarding the incident at Riverside. We find ourselves... concerned by its contents."

  Thaddeus stepped forward, his composure fully restored now that formal proceedings had begun. "Your Majesty, if I may offer context for these unfortunate events—"

  "You may," the King interrupted, "but first, we wish to hear from Healer Elaine directly." He turned his full attention to her, disregarding Thaddeus's momentary discomfiture. "You witnessed Lord Varren's men attack the village where you resided. Captain Riona informs us you were instrumental in preventing what could have been a massacre. Please, describe what occurred."

  All eyes in the throne room turned to Elaine. She could sense their scrutiny, feel the weight of judgment and speculation pressing against her. After a millennium of isolation followed by months in a small village, the concentrated attention of so many powerful figures might have been overwhelming.

  Instead, she found it clarifying.

  "Your Majesty," she began, her voice calm and clear, "five days ago, Riverside was hosting the royal delegation when fifty armed men bearing Lord Varren's colors approached the village. Their captain, Dorn, demanded we surrender Master Thaddeus to face what he called 'Lord Varren's justice.' When this demand was refused, they prepared to attack."

  The King leaned forward slightly. "And their stated grievance?"

  "Captain Dorn claimed that Master Thaddeus had failed to properly treat Lord Varren's son, Ellias, who subsequently died of withering fever. He stated that formal complaints to the College had been dismissed without action."

  A murmur ran through the court at this direct statement. Thaddeus's face remained carefully neutral, though tension showed in the slight rigidity of his posture.

  "I see," the King said, his gaze shifting briefly to Thaddeus before returning to Elaine. "Continue."

  "When it became clear the men intended to attack the village to capture Master Thaddeus, I positioned myself at the gate. I gave them the opportunity to withdraw. They refused." Elaine paused, meeting the King's gaze directly. "I then ensured they could threaten no one else."

  "You faced fifty armed men alone," the King stated, his tone suggesting he already knew the outcome but wished to hear it confirmed.

  "I did."

  "And the result?"

  Elaine answered with simple truth. "None survived."

  The throne room erupted in whispers, nobles leaning toward one another with expressions of disbelief or alarm. The King raised a hand, and silence immediately returned.

  "Captain Riona confirms this account," he said, nodding to where the captain stood at formal attention. "She reports witnessing combat abilities beyond anything in her considerable experience." His gaze intensified. "You are presented to us as a healer, yet you possess skills that would humble our greatest warriors. Explain."

  Thaddeus moved slightly, as if to intercede, but a sharp glance from the King kept him silent.

  "I am a healer, Your Majesty," Elaine replied. "That is my primary calling and preference. But I have also trained extensively in other disciplines, including combat, during my travels. When healing was not an option—when those men threatened innocent lives—I used different skills."

  "Different skills," the King repeated thoughtfully. He sat back, fingers tapping briefly against the arm of his throne. "After dispatching Lord Varren's forces, you questioned their captain before his death. What did you learn?"

  "He went into more detail regarding the treatment of Lord Varren's son. According to Captain Dorn, Master Thaddeus was paid to treat young Ellias, provided initial care, then left to retrieve supplies from the capital. By the time he returned three weeks later, despite promising to return within one week, the boy had died."

  Thaddeus could remain silent no longer. "Your Majesty, if I may—the delay was caused by severe weather closing the mountain passes. I was literally unable to return sooner, trapped at Duke Westmere's estate by the worst snowstorm in a decade."

  The King's advisor leaned down, whispering something in the monarch's ear. The King nodded slightly before addressing Thaddeus.

  "We recall that winter well, Master Thaddeus. The storm's severity is a matter of record." His tone grew more pointed. "What is less clear is why Lord Varren's subsequent petitions for investigation were dismissed without formal hearing."

  Thaddeus straightened. "The College reviewed his complaints thoroughly, Your Majesty. We found no deviation from established protocols. The boy's condition was severe, the treatment appropriate, and the delay unavoidable. Lord Varren's grief, while understandable, led him to seek blame where none existed."

  "And yet," the King observed, "his conviction was strong enough that he committed treason, sending armed men against a royal delegation. A desperate act from a previously loyal vassal."

  "Grief can distort judgment, Sire," Thaddeus offered. "Even the most loyal may act irrationally when driven by loss."

  The woman beside the throne—who had remained silent until now—spoke for the first time. "Perhaps, Master Thaddeus. Or perhaps his petitions deserved more consideration than they received." Her voice carried the same authority as the King's, though tempered with a diplomat's precision. "Especially given the... connections between College leadership and Duke Westmere's family."

  Thaddeus's expression tightened almost imperceptibly. "Princess Liana, I assure you, no such considerations influenced the College's review."

  The King raised a hand, silencing further debate. "Regardless of past decisions, we now face serious matters requiring immediate attention." He looked to his advisor, who nodded before stepping forward with a scroll bearing the royal seal.

  "It is our decision," King Harren announced, "that Lord Varren shall be summoned to the capital to answer for his actions against the Crown. His accusations against the Royal College shall be formally investigated by a neutral party." His gaze swept the throne room. "Let it be known that while treason cannot go unpunished, legitimate grievances must receive fair hearing."

  The advisor unrolled the scroll, reading formal declarations that codified the King's pronouncement. As the legal language washed over the court, Elaine observed the subtle reactions around her. Thaddeus maintained his composure, though his fingers gripped his robes more tightly than necessary. Several nobles exchanged glances that suggested shifting political calculations. Princess Liana watched everything with shrewd assessment, her attention repeatedly returning to Elaine.

  When the formal declarations concluded, the King addressed Elaine directly once more. "Healer Elaine, your arrival in our kingdom has been... noteworthy. The Royal College will benefit from your skills, as will our people." He paused, studying her with undisguised interest. "We look forward to learning more about your methods in the days to come."

  It was both welcome and subtle warning—appreciation for her abilities coupled with clear intention to understand them fully.

  "Thank you, Your Majesty," Elaine replied.

  "Master Thaddeus," the King continued, "you will ensure Healer Elaine is properly integrated into the College. However, during the investigation into Lord Varren's accusations, you will recuse yourself from any decisions regarding his case."

  Thaddeus bowed, accepting the directive with practiced grace despite the implied rebuke. "As Your Majesty commands."

  "Captain Riona," the King concluded, "you will oversee security arrangements for Lord Varren's arrival. Given recent events, we anticipate... heightened emotions."

  "Yes, Your Majesty," Riona replied crisply.

  The audience concluded with formal dismissal, the court's attention lingering on Elaine as she departed the throne room alongside Thaddeus and Riona. Outside the massive doors, Thaddeus expelled a carefully controlled breath.

  "That was... not what I anticipated," he admitted, his public facade slipping momentarily to reveal genuine concern. "An investigation into College decisions is unprecedented."

  "The King seems determined to understand what truly happened," Elaine observed.

  "Politics," Thaddeus replied, his tone suggesting multiple layers of meaning in that single word. "The noble houses have long sought greater influence over College affairs. This situation with Lord Varren provides convenient opportunity."

  Riona, who had remained silent since leaving the throne room, now spoke. "The King seeks justice, Master Thaddeus. Not political advantage."

  "Of course, Captain," Thaddeus replied smoothly, though his expression suggested he believed otherwise. "Now, if you'll excuse us, I must show Healer Elaine back to the College. We have much to prepare before tomorrow's formal introduction."

  As they walked through the palace corridors, now significantly emptier as courtiers dispersed to spread news of the audience, Thaddeus maintained careful silence. Only when they had crossed back into College grounds did he speak again.

  "The situation is more complex than it appears," he said, glancing at Elaine. "Lord Varren has powerful allies who would use this tragedy to advance their own interests. The College must stand united during this investigation."

  "United behind truth, I would hope," Elaine replied.

  Thaddeus's step faltered briefly. "Truth is rarely simple in matters of healing, Elaine. Outcomes depend on countless factors—the patient's condition, available resources, unforeseen complications. What appears negligent to a grieving father may be unavoidable reality to an experienced healer."

  "Then the investigation should confirm that," she said evenly.

  "Yes. Well." Thaddeus resumed walking. "I'll leave you to rest before this evening's meal. The College dining hall can be... overwhelming for newcomers."

  As Thaddeus departed, his shoulders slightly more bowed than when they had set out for the palace, Elaine found herself alone in the College courtyard. Students moved around her, their curious glances suggesting news of her royal audience had already spread throughout the complex.

  She turned toward the senior healers' residence, contemplating the rapid developments since their arrival. The capital had welcomed her with complexity fitting its layered architecture—official recognition alongside subtle assessment, public deference masking private calculation.

  A garden path wove between precisely arranged beds of healing herbs, offering a more scenic route to her quarters. Elaine chose it, allowing the familiar scents of medicinal plants to ground her as she considered her position.

  The investigation into Lord Varren's accusations had clearly unsettled Thaddeus, suggesting there might be more truth to the grievance than he had admitted. The King's decision to pursue formal inquiry while still punishing Varren's treason demonstrated both justice and political acumen—satisfying multiple factions while reserving final judgment.

  And through it all, Elaine had established her presence in the capital—not as merely another College healer, but as something more. The throne room's reaction to her matter-of-fact description of defeating fifty armed men ensured she would be viewed with caution as well as interest. Her healing abilities guaranteed value; her other capabilities guaranteed respect, if tinged with wariness.

  It was, she reflected, a beginning balanced on the edge of multiple possibilities. The path forward would require careful navigation, but for the first time since leaving Riverside, Elaine felt something approaching certainty.

  As twilight settled over the College grounds, Elaine reached her quarters. Through the window, she could see the palace towers silhouetted against the deepening sky, lights beginning to glow within their many chambers. Somewhere in that maze of power and politics, decisions were being made, alliances forming and dissolving, all in response to her arrival.