"For my threshold stance, I invoke Article Seventy-Seven, Verse Seven of the Lex Aureliana."
A twitch rippled along the crescent of thrones. Already.
"The Protection Act of Witness Source and Submitted Evidence."
The Council leaned forward.
Mirell spoke softly — far too softly to be accidental.
"Are you asserting that your source of testimony stands at risk of harm"— her head tilted slightly, serpentine pupils glinting beneath the chamber light — "because intelligence was submitted to the Council. The highest governing authority of the clan."
Cold. Absolute.
Every gaze in the chamber turned toward him — sharpened, daring him.
"Yes, Elder."
He did not hesitate.
"My source stands at risk of prosecution for possession of said testimonial intelligence, which, under the stated statute, constitutes risk of harm."
Mirell's gaze hardened.
"A stance derived from a breach of High Vale law." Her voice dropped, precise. "On what grounds does such a petition stand to be administered before the High Council?"
"Firstly: the circumstances under which the intelligence was obtained. It was neither stolen, solicited, nor extracted through inquiry. The material was presented as a gift — no coercion, no condition, no request. I accepted it as a courtesy, completely unaware of its contents."
"Operational orders of the House of Iron Veil, among others. Dated the twenty-fourth. Today."
The weight of it pressed against the Circle's edge.
"By inference, the material could be considered classified. Inference is not proof."
"Under Article Forty-One of the Lex Aureliana — the Statute of Actionable Knowledge — a Mantle-bearer is not obligated to report suspected conduct without evidence sufficient to constitute a prosecutable offense. I had no such evidence."
"Furthermore, my source holds rank superior to my own within the Spiral of Blood. Under the clan's established hierarchy, I had neither the right nor the authority to demand explanation for the gift's origin. To have done so would itself have constituted a breach: an unlawful challenge to the standing of a senior Mantle-bearer without grounds."
"As matters presently stand, both the source and the intelligence submitted within my testimony remain legally innocent pending formal investigation."
"As that matter constitutes a separate inquiry, I declare non-involvement unless and until sufficient cause or evidence is presented to establish direct participation in the acquisition of said intelligence — which, unless I am mistaken, is procedurally non-viable regardless."
"My testimony was delivered under Confessor's Oath. My head remains attached. No lies were presented."
Mirell took her time.
She truly took her time.
There was a fine line between intelligence and something else entirely. He stood well beyond it.
How damning.
That tale had never possessed a happy ending — not now, not ever, not in the Evernight.
He would regret allowing that much to become known.
Sooner rather than later.
Her gaze swept the chamber. Whatever the others weighed behind solemn, sharpened expressions, it was not for his sake.
"Mantle-bearer. The High Council grants you leave to present your stance."
He bowed once.
His hand slipped into his coat and emerged with a folded parchment.
Every eye along the ring followed as he opened it — crease by crease, deliberate and unhurried.
He raised it toward the Council.
"I would request confirmation from Elder Riven of House Artyr"— his eyes found Riven's and held them — "that the seal affixed to this document is that of the Iron Veil."