Contents
Chapter 22. Before: Maris
Overview
At a packed tribunal, the Consul publicly addresses the failed harvests, frames a path to “healing,” and signals war in Aster’s name. An amendment slashes the dole—one-quarter in the Citadel, one-half in the Lower City—and, with Magistrate Matius’ proxy and Iola’s shocking support, passes unanimously.
The verdict triggers chaos. A riot consumes the Citadel as legionnaires flood in; Luca shields Maris in the crush, and Maris realizes the Citadel’s power is absolute—and corrupt—shattering her hope.
Summary
As rumors of failing harvests spread citywide, a packed Forum convenes. Maris joins the gallery, where Luca confronts her about prior knowledge; both deny knowing before the leak. The Consul opens with a contrite statement but pointedly calls the leaflet “claims,” signaling a controlled narrative.
He cites advisors, including Vitrasian, and asserts the city is “on its way” to healing, invoking Aster—the war goddess—implying conquest as remedy. Nej presents an amendment to cut the dole: one-quarter in the Citadel, one-half in the Lower City. Magistrate Matius, bedridden, sends a vote in favor, and his faction follows.
Expecting a stalemate short of the supermajority, Maris watches her mother, Iola, stunningly turn her stone to white. The ripple becomes unanimous approval—the Consul no longer needs fractions when he has the whole. Maris and Luca grasp the scale of manipulation and the futility embedded in their inheritance.
Outside, outrage turns to panic. The Citadel erupts: tapestries tear, legionnaires pour in, blood smears marble, and a man is trampled. Luca forces a path, pins Maris to the garden gates, and shields her as the mob surges. Amid the violence, Maris realizes there is no going back; the city and their fates have irrevocably changed.
Who Appears
- MarisNarrator; witnesses the tribunal, sees her mother ensure a unanimous vote, loses faith as a riot erupts while Luca protects her.
- LucaAttends the tribunal, questions Maris, recoils at the vote, and physically shields her during the Citadel riot.
- Iola (Maris’s mother)Faction leader who unexpectedly turns her stone, triggering a unanimous vote for harsh dole cuts.
- The ConsulOrchestrates narrative of apology and recovery, signals war, and advances the amendment cutting the dole.
- NejReads the amendment and Magistrate Matius’ proxy vote, formalizing the path to passage.
- Magistrate MatiusAbsent and ill; sends a decisive vote in favor, pulling his faction with him.
- VitrasianPhilosopher-advisor cited by the Consul; her assessments undergird the Forum’s narrative about the fields.
- LegionnairesFlood the Citadel during the riot, escalating the violence as order collapses.