Chapter 19. Now: Luca

Luca arrives at the Commander’s tent amid fires and cheers, noting Roskia basking in popularity. Inside, Vale studies maps showing the rebels controlling most of the Lower City, with only the Citadel District left. Luca and Vale brace for Roskia’s arrival, aware they need his legionnaires but wary of his ambition.

Roskia enters and is invited to advise. Vale reveals a plan to cross the Sophanes in three days and to meet the Consul beforehand, offering district residents safe passage if they forfeit medallions, seats, villas, and wealth. Roskia bristles, arguing that losses demand recompense and that letting the Magistrates walk would betray the Lower City.

Pushing a “compromise,” Roskia urges opening the gates to all except the Consul and any families with claims to Magistrate seats. He warns that the legion will doubt Vale if elites escape, then insinuates that Luca is protecting interests across the river. The implication rattles Luca, whose secret risks undermining Vale’s authority.

Vale, pale under the pressure and aware of his fraught tie to the Consul, says he will think on it, believing the Consul might doom himself by choosing Magistrates over citizens. After Roskia departs, Luca argues against slaughtering families, while Vale focuses on messages and logistics. Luca withholds that Maris is hidden in his tent and concludes that suspicion is rising and time is running out.