“Forgive me, Arbiters,” Lexi begins. “I know you may view this as highly unusual, but I must be allowed to speak before you today.”

“Te-Gen,” Tang begins, the pace of his words careful, “this body is, of course, aware of the loss you and your Gen have suffered with the disappearance of your husband. Brio Alania was… excuse me, is… a highly respected officer of this floor. However, he is the recognized pleader of record for the Ninth Division of the Capitol, not you. To this body’s knowledge, you are not even a recognized pleader.”

“Gen Stalbraid is the recognized pleader of record for the Bottoms,” Lexi corrects him. “Brio was the current pleader for our Gen, as was his father before him.”

The Senior Arbiter looks to his colleagues, either for support or to convey his frustrations. In either case, ten vacant eyes stare back at him.

Tang regards her with hesitance. “Your interpretation of the law is not… incorrect.”

Lexi smiles pleasantly. “Thank you, Senior Arbiter. I have recently received what one might consider advanced training in Crachian law and procedure.”

Even Taru, still seated in the gallery, is forced to stifle a laugh at the truth behind that statement.

“Be that as it may,” Tang says, “Gen Stalbraid has no other pleader to stand for Brio in his absence. Unless you’ve absorbed a new kith-kin or have taken a new husband, and I am unaware.”

“No, Senior Arbiter, we remain as we have, and I am still married to Brio. However, I would like to submit myself to stand, in what I hope will be the short remainder of his absence, as pleader for the Bottoms.”

The galleries stir, excited chatter spreading like a sickness through the crowd.

“Silence from the galleries, if you please,” Senior Arbiter Tang calmly requests.

To Lexi, he says, “Te-Gen, we are all certain you mean only the best in appearing before us here. I also sympathize with your Gen in its time of strife. However, you are simply not qualified to plead on behalf of a Capitol Division, not in an official forum.”

“You are correct, Senior Arbiter,” Lexi agrees. “I am not yet qualified. I do, however, plan to be as soon as is possible.”

She unfurls one of the scrolls in front of her and holds it up. “This is an official request to undertake training at the Academy. A copy has been dispatched to the Tenth City.”

Lexi drapes the scroll over the front of the pleading altar and the floor page quickly scurries across the gap between it and the Arbiters to collect the document.

“That is admirable, Te-Gen, but until you’ve completed that lengthy training—”