Scharfrichter poured into the courtyard. They dropped to their knees before the True Council. Ishkur surveyed them with barely contained scorn, then looked to Inanna. Katelina could feel the silent conversation pass between them, even if she couldn't hear it. Then Ishkur seemed to disappear, moving too fast for her to see.

Inanna turned to her dark eyed counterpart. "Utu."

With a nod, he also disappeared.

She looked to her prostrate followers. "Rise." They did ...