The evening lamps cast pools of lamplight across the consultation table in the estate's private conference room.
Hajin spread out the municipal testimony document, pointing to the five blank sections where the council demanded numerical ratings for the Underworld commanders.
Across the table, Didi sat with her bandaged hands clasped over the carved head of her runic staff, her expression resolute and uncompromising.
"The council clerk wanted a number between one and ten for the entity that spoke through the rift," Hajin explained quietly.
"I wrote 'Invalid' across every single line, and I refuse to change a solitary letter for tomorrow's public assembly!"
"Good!" the dwarf princess agreed, slamming her palm against the timber edge of the table with fierce conviction.
"When you put a number on a monster from the deep pits, you pretend you calculated something you actually understand!"
"An empire of bones thrives on false ledgers... we refuse to play their counting game!"
