Vhereli didn't give Sonder any time to think.
He broke into a run the moment they stepped out of the alley, his bare feet slapping against the warm, sandy stone.
Even in his sickly, half-starved state, his long strides were driven by a fury that didn't care about weakness.
Sonder had to push herself to keep pace, weaving through the crowded streets of Gloam.
Vhereli ran like a blade thrown at a target, fast, straight, and reckless.
"Slow down!" she called. He didn't even look back.
A building came into view ahead, the courthouse, most likely, shaped like the shell of a giant crab.
Vhereli didn't hesitate. He charged straight up, shouldering past two startled guards.
"Wait!" Sonder yelled after him, skidding on the polished steps as the guards turned toward her. Unlike Vhereli, even in his disheveled state, she was an outlander.
They reached for their weapons, confused and tense. Sonder raised both hands quickly.
"I'm not a threat!" she said, steadying her voice. "And he's important to both House Nesh and Hoar. I need to be with him. Let me through, please!"
The guards faltered, uncertain if that was the right call.
Inside, the courthouse was full.
Members of both houses filled the benches in their formal robes. Long rows curved around a central dais, where evidence was being read for what must have been the thousandth time.
The air was thick and stale with procedural droning.
A clerk was reciting the charges in a tone so flat it could have been carved from marble.
Then the doors slammed open as Vhereli burst through them. The sound cracked like thunder.
Heads snapped around. Conversations froze.
Before anyone could speak, Vhereli shouted, his voice raw and full of hate:
"You kidnapped me!"
The sound reverberated through the chamber.
"You tortured me for a year and left me in the dark to rot!"
Shock scattered across the Hoar benches like broken glass. One elder rose, face tightening, and barked, "This is a court of law, not a place for outbursts!"
"Then let this be testimony," Vhereli snapped back. "You locked me in your own walls. You starved me. You thought I'd die quietly where no one could see."
He pointed a shaking hand toward Sonder as she caught up. "She found me. She saw what you did. She pulled me out."
Murmurs surged through the crowd. Several Hoar elders turned their sharp gazes on Sonder like knives.
"She is an outlander," one of them said coldly. "Her word means nothing here. It is not admissible."
Thalael, Vhereli's father, stood and walked slowly to his son.
Hugging or crying was not something the Thole did, but he placed a tender hand on his son's shoulder, eyes almost wet.
"My son, is it truly you?" he asked.
"It is, Father," Vhereli said, placing his hand on his father's shoulder in turn.
Then Thiliel rose from her seat without a tremor. "She is not just any outlander. She is a high-ranking member of the House of Nesh. And her testimony will be heard."
The room quieted.
Sonder stood a little straighter. Neither Vhereli nor his father thanked her. They didn't even spare her a glance.
The Hoar looked at them as if they were two problems, two very real and very dangerous problems.