“Brio knows more about the history of the Bottoms than me, and I was born here,” Taru informs her wryly. “Apparently at the tail end of the Renewal, the newly formed Protectorate Ministry oversaw all the… unwanted residents of the Capitol herded like pack animals into this area of the city. Brio imagined it was to be a temporary measure, simply to allow the state to clean up the Capitol. Yet here they remained, and their children’s children and so forth inherited their burdens. As long as they remain out of sight and do not stain the rest of the city or its citizens, there is no reason for Crache to deal with them.”

“I understand Brio’s frustration now,” Lexi says thoughtfully. “His restlessness and what became his crusade. When he complained that no one in the Spectrum listened to him, or wanted to help him, or grant him the requests made for aid for the Bottoms.”

“He has always done what he could as their pleader,” Taru insists. “As did his father. He argued for what little he could to help the people here.”

“I simply cannot accept that with all we have, Crache cannot cure this ill.”

“Brio began to suspect this place was actually being used as a resource by the state, like everything else in Crache. Raids and arrests by Aegins increased. Many people spoke of their friends and loved ones disappearing in the night. That was what sparked his… investigation.”

Lexi’s aspect is imbued with a new darkness. “Of course. People no one in a position of power cares about, or even acknowledges, can be used by the corrupt in all manner of despicable ways, I suppose.”

“Yes, Te-Gen, they can.”

Lexi stops walking. She inhales deeply and exhales a long, trembling breath. Her gaze turns upward, to the sky beyond the tops of the buildings.

Taru watches her, unsure. “What is it, Te-Gen?”

When Lexi turns her eyes to the retainer, those eyes are filled with a new resolve.

“I told myself my job was only to preserve our Gen until Brio returned. All that mattered was finding him and bringing him home. Gen Stalbraid was an afterthought held against that.”

“He’s your husband, Te-Gen. Of course you—”

“We will find him. I refuse to believe otherwise. However, I will not simply preserve Gen Stalbraid’s existence. These people… this place… they need us now. No one else will even try to help them.”

Taru doesn’t respond at first. They are looking down at Lexi with a thoroughly uncustomary expression of surprise.

“That is true,” the retainer says.

“The Franchise Council will not stop us from pleading for the Bottoms, and we will return tomorrow, as I told that girl,” Lexi insists.

Taru nods. “Yes, Te-Gen. As you wish.”

“Good. Now follow me.”

Lexi begins walking again, striding forward with new purpose.

Taru rushes to catch up. “Where do you wish to go now, Te-Gen?”