“I was responsible for pushing the frozen mages out of the tube onto the floor of the lounge,” said a woman. “Neighbors from my own hallway whom I’ve lived near for years. I’m ashamed of myself.”

“I’m the one who destroyed the last working tube with magical sledgehammers,” confessed another. “Everyone was in a frenzy, and Garrit was screaming at me to do it! I couldn’t think! And I couldn’t sleep after that. I don’t deserve to be an Unwanted anymore. I accept whatever punishment you see fit to give me.”

But some weren’t so remorseful. One of them rushed the table that the jury sat behind, trying to attack Fifer. Simber flattened him in an instant before he could do any harm, but it rattled Fifer and the rest of them. They locked him back up in the hospital ward until all the interviews were finished.

As the days and processes continued, tears were shed across the panel and throughout the mansion. In the end, most of the dissenters were allowed to stay and were sentenced to labor around Artimé, fixing and cleaning up the things they’d destroyed. Seven unrepentant dissenters, including Frieda’s friend Garrit, were sentenced to the Island of Dragons for a time to be determined, with no means of escape. Quince offered to deliver them as soon as the interviews were over, and Simber flew alongside in case Quince forgot what he was supposed to be doing.

At long last, Fifer put out a statement through the blackboards:

Dear friends, it read. The world of Artimé is in a period of mourning and reflection. We have heard from all of you, and I, as your head mage, feel compassion for the stories you’ve shared. We appreciate your cooperation and expect you to begin your assigned duties immediately. If you have any last words to say to the panel, please come forward today.

After dinner that night, as Fifer waited for Simber and Quince to return, she found Thisbe and Rohan on the lawn, resting near Gorgrun. She took a breath and ventured toward them, wanting to follow through with her agreement with Thisbe to be purposeful about reconnecting, and wanting to get to know Rohan a little better. “Am I interrupting?” Fifer asked.

Thisbe smiled and patted the grass next to her. “I was just thinking about you. We saw Simber and Quince take off with the prisoners. It must have been hard to banish people, but I’m especially glad you sent that Garrit guy away. He was the worst.”

“Here’s hoping he doesn’t do anything to mess with Pan’s island, or she’s going to be really mad. If she ever comes home, that is.” Fifer sat down wearily next to her sister and leaned back on her elbows. “I’m glad we’re finally done with this so we can get on with fixing things,” she said. “It went all right, you know? Better than I expected. Maiven is a champion. I’m so glad we had her help.”