Chapter 13. Now: Maris

As evening bells toll over a shattered Isara, Maris prepares to act independently. In Villa Casperia, she selects a costly brooch to fund a clandestine plan, recalling her mother’s death and weighing Ophelius’ warning against the Consul’s inexplicable optimism about the siege.

Maris dresses to blend in and slips into the silent Citadel District. At the eastern bridge, she meets Zuri and trades grain for an empty satchel, then offers the brooch to secure a risky favor: passage across the river to see Iola. Despite Zuri’s protests and fears of both the New Legion and his sister, Maris insists.

Zuri guides Maris onto the narrow ledge beneath the bridge to avoid loyalist patrols. They freeze as two legionnaires gamble and then slip away to relieve themselves, creating a brief opening. Using the distraction, Zuri boosts Maris up and together they cross into the Lower City unseen.

Moving through darkened, deserted streets, Maris follows Zuri to Iola’s domus. At the door, beneath a protective talisman to Toranus, Iola answers Zuri’s knock. Recognizing Maris, Iola is shocked, and Maris bluntly asks for help—confirming her choice to seek negotiations outside the Tribunal’s permission.