After the trial ended, I didn’t let the silence settle. I caught one of the elders before they could disappear into their shadows. My hands were clenched at my sides, my jaw tight, every instinct in me on edge.

"What do you think you're doing right now? This is insubordination," the elder snapped at me.

"Insubordination my foot. I have questions for you, and I want you to answer them truthfully."

"What exactly do you want from me?"

“If she passes all three trials,” I ...