Dust sifts from the slightly opened seam, then settles. Slaan keeps a hard grip on the Hidden Occupant, but the corridor itself finally goes still.
Hidden Occupant
The clerk was first. The warden gave the order. I only carried the lies.
Bram
Then start with the clerk's name. Slowly.
Kaelith
He looks more frightened of them than of us.
The Hidden Occupant swallows, shoulders sagging at last. Bram lowers his blade a fraction, not relaxing, only listening. Kaelith eases his stance near the wall and watches Slaan for the next move.
Hidden Occupant
If I say the names, I want a promise of a clean death someday. Not here. Not by the wall.
For a moment, the only sound is breathing and the faint tick from deeper in the stone. Slaan has room at last to choose whether to press harder, ask her own question, or simply let the story come out in full.
Learn the clerk's name