The chamber became a battlefield of words and legal precedent.
Torven pulled regulation after regulation from his case. Cited previous judgments. Pointed out procedural violations with surgical precision.
Every time Crovin tried to dismiss his concerns, he produced another document, another law, another reason why rushing to judgment would be legally problematic.
Revna fought back. Her voice rising. Calling on her own connections. "Magistrate Crovin, surely you're not going to let some technicality—"
"Technicality?" Torven's eyebrows rose. "Legal procedure is not a technicality, Lady Revna. It's the foundation of justice."
"Justice?" Revna gestured sharply at Tessa. "What about justice for her? For the victim? She was assaulted and you're more concerned with—"
"Alleged victim," Vanessia interrupted smoothly. "Until proven otherwise."
