46. Theon

Theon arrives at the Tribunal with urgent intel from Razik and no support from Luka, who has severed contact. He enters the closed hearing where the Anala, Falein, Serafina, and Celeste Ladies and the Lords convene to decide Tessalyn’s fate. Theon argues that repeated Augury attacks and systemic failures, not only Tessa, caused the carnage, and he denounces Devram’s manipulative traditions.

Tension escalates as the Celeste Lady condemns Tessa and questions Theon’s fitness to rule. Theon counters that rigid, self-serving rulership has widened divides between Legacy and Fae, and he needles the rulers with hints of buried truths, including dragon survival and a historic Serafina–Arius alignment. Sources shift uneasily as his accusations land.

When a vote is called, the Serafina, Celeste, and Falein Ladies demand Tessa’s death. Lord Rordan overrules, declaring the motion failed and warning of the price of treason. Barbed threats reveal fractures between kingdoms, prompting a tense recess.

Outside, Theon calls Tristyn Blackheart and confirms Tessa is held in the Pantheon’s central cells. Despite Tristyn’s need for time to defeat the cell’s defenses, Theon orders action by sundown, determined to move faster than the Tribunal. He resolves to stall proceedings and exploit the shaky alliances until the rescue can be attempted.