On the day of the tribunal, Sophie is nearly sick with anxiety.
She sits nervously in her front row seat beside the rest of the Black Swan Collective in their disguises. It was decided that the tribunal would be held privately for the sake of their anonymity, but Sophie still feels overexposed in front of the Council.
The rest of the small crowd is made up of other Black Swan members and Vacker family members that she doesn't recognize. Mr. Forkle sits on the platform beside the rest of the Collective. Sophie also sees Grady and Edaline sitting a few rows behind her, next to the Heks family.
Sophie accidentally makes eye contact with Stina. The other girl looks away just as quickly, and Sophie pretends it doesn't sting.
They haven't talked since the dance. As much as Sophie wants to clear things up with everyone—Stina, Maruca, even Wylie—she hasn't been able to find the right time, and it's been eating away at her like an open wound. She had thrown herself into work instead, alternating between homework and research deep-dives on Lodestar and the Neverseen.
There was one topic that still eluded her, though—the Vacker legacy that Alvar had been talking about. She'd looked into Everglen, as per Bronte's advice, but nothing jumped out at her. Certainly nothing that would have made Alvar fear for his life, unless Alvar feared historical architecture and landscaping.
"Less squirming, more posture," Sandor instructs her.
"Easier said than done," Sophie grumbles back at him, but straightens in her seat. She wishes Dex was here, but Juline wouldn't let him come. He's always able to lighten the mood at serious Black Swan events.
"Remember that this is also a show of good faith for our alliance with the Council," Sandor continues. "So at least look like you're happy to be here."
"Maybe you should remind Councillor Bronte of that," she says, gesturing to the raised platform where the Council is sitting. Bronte is, indeed, wearing his usual look of contempt. She's seen that face a lot lately—the Councillor still blamed her for the explosion at the Foxfire dance, and had been even more insufferable towards Sophie, if possible.
She's saved from a Sandor scolding when someone calls her name.
"Sophie! Hi!"
To her surprise, it's Fitz, donning a formal tunic and a brilliant smile. And beside him, dressed in lavender, is Biana.
She's wearing long sleeves and her hair is down, but it does little to disguise the fresh scars on her hands and face. Still, Biana's face lights up when she sees Sophie.
"It's so good to see you!" Biana tells her, giving her a hug.
Sophie smiles. "You too. How are you feeling now?"
"Doing better. Fitz told me how you went after the Neverseen." Biana smiles shyly. "I can't thank you enough."
Fitz grins. "You're a hero, Sophie."
She feels her smile waver. You're the only one who thinks that, apparently. "Thanks."
"So... what are you doing here, anyway?" he asks her.
She pauses. Sandor raises an eyebrow at her. "I'm here for, um, moral support," Sophie offers.
"Well, we were just on our way to our seats," Fitz says, and his eyes soften. "But we appreciate you being here. With everything that's happened, and now Alvar, well..."
Biana glances downwards.
"... it's just nice to see a friend," Fitz finishes quietly.
Her stomach turns. "Of course," she says.
Fitz and Biana walk away to rejoin their family. Alden places a protective arm around Biana while Della rests a hand on Fitz's shoulder. Sophie forces herself to look away and slouches back into her seat, ignoring Sandor's intense gaze on her.
"Once everything comes out about Alvar, they'll be glad you helped put him away," Sandor tells her. "Family or not."
A hush descends over the auditorium as Councillor Emery steps forward. "The tribunal will begin. Bring out the accused."
Sophie holds her breath as a trio of goblin guards march into the room, clutching a smaller figure between them. His dark hair is longer and curling at the ends, and he looks significantly paler, but she recognizes Alvar instantly.
The guards release him and march off, leaving Alvar alone in the middle of the raised platform, surrounded by staring eyes. He keeps his head bowed between his shoulders. At that moment, it was hard not to feel a little sorry for him.
"Alvar Soren Vacker, you stand accused of multiple counts of peace treaty violations, domestic terrorism, and treason by association with the Neverseen." Councillor Emery looks down at him. "Do you understand the charges brought against you today?"
Alvar doesn't move. "I understand."
Emery nods. "We will now hear from the first witness."
Sophie turns to watch as an elf walks onto the platform in front of the Council.
"State your name for the record," Emery says.
"Timkin Heks." Timkin's dark hair is styled neatly, and he looks rather bored. It's the same look Stina has whenever Dex goes on a tangent about Technopath stuff.
"Mr. Heks, it is our understanding that you were present when the defendant turned himself in to the Black Swan. Is that correct?"
"Indeed. I was investigating a suspected Neverseen outpost when our patrol found him on the property. We apprehended him immediately."
"Can you tell us what he said to you?"
Timkin lifts his chin. "He said he had something the Black Swan needed from the Neverseen. He claimed he would give it to us willingly if we took him in."
Councillor Emery raises an eyebrow. "And did Alvar confirm that he was associated with the Neverseen?"
At that, Timkin frowns. "Well, I suppose he didn't say. But given the boy's attitude—"
"That has no connection to the matter at hand," Emery interrupts him. "Can someone from the Black Swan Collective please confirm Alvar's association with the Neverseen?"
A murmur runs through the small crowd. Alden and Della look nervous.
Mr. Forkle clears his throat. "No one from the Collective has been able to have any verbal or telepathic interaction with the defendant, Councillor."
"If we can't confirm an association to the Neverseen, then I'm afraid this calls into question the rest of the charges," Emery declares. "The Neverseen has a history of holding people against their will. It isn't easy to disprove."
The crowd continues murmuring. Sophie's anxiety grows.
Bronte stands. "Councillor Emery, if I may. I was told by the Moonlark herself she had spoken with Alvar. I believe she may have confirmation of his loyalties." He casts his gaze into the front row, right at Sophie. "If she is willing to speak."
Councillor Emery looks intrigued. "I wasn't aware she was here. Very well. Can the Moonlark confirm Mr. Vacker's association to the Neverseen?"
The vast auditorium suddenly seems very small. The members of the Vacker family scan the crowd curiously, including Fitz and Biana. The Councillors exchange silent glances.
Sophie's heart pounds. She's never revealed herself as the Moonlark in front of the entire Council before. But they can't lose this case.
She stands in her seat. "Yes," she says. "I can."
Everyone turns toward her, except for Alvar, who remains on the raised platform facing the Council.
Councillor Emery blinks in surprise, like he didn't expect Sophie to speak. "State your name for the record, Miss..."
She clears her throat. "Foster," she says in a small voice.
"Miss Foster, please elaborate on your conversation with Mr. Vacker."
She steadies herself. "My name is Sophie Foster. Alvar told me he surrendered himself to the Black Swan. He refused to tell me information because it would make him a traitor to the Neverseen."
Councillor Emery looks satisfied by her answer. "Thank you, Miss Foster. We appreciate your assistance. You've proven most invaluable to this investigation."
Sophie sits down gratefully just as Alden stands up. "An investigation?" he questions. "Councillor, the Moonlark is involved in the protection of my family. An investigation raises a conflict of interest—"
"Yes, you were under investigation, Alden," Bronte snaps. "And a good thing you were, too, because Miss Foster's findings helped prove you and your family were innocent in Alvar's betrayal."
"Outrageous!" another Vacker shouts. "We have been nothing but loyal to the Council!"
"How dare you involve our family in this!"
Councillor Emery waves his hands frantically, but the frenzied arguing only continues. Sophie risks a glance toward the Vackers. Della has a delicate hand covering her mouth. Fitz and Biana are staring at Sophie with wide eyes, their expressions unreadable, and she looks away quickly.
Beside her, Sandor suddenly sits up. "Did you hear that?"
"How can I not hear that?" Sophie says, grimacing as the shouting continues.
"No, not that," he squeaks dismissively.
Something flashes at the corner of her eye. What on earth—
A silver throwing knife lands directly on the platform, right at Councillor Emery's feet. Her eyes widen. "Sandor—"
"Stop," Sandor calls out, but everyone is too busy yelling to even notice. "Stop!"
In the blink of an eye, a second knife flies through the air. It lands directly in Timkin Heks' chest, and he collapses to the ground.