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Dedication

for Sylvia Hall

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

COUNCIL OF REPRESENTATIVES

Saskia Asan, Reverend: Commander General of Enforcement

Dinea Bremm, Reverend: Chief Caretaker of Maternal Affairs

Yelina Celane, Reverend: Chief Archivist of the Department of Memories

Shaelean Cyde, Reverend: Head Custodian of the Moon House, former Chief Archivist of the Department of Memories

Olwen Kisme, Reverend: Former Head of the Department of Water and Sanitation

Jiana Morwin, Reverend: Head of the Department of Public Health

Deselle Somme, Reverend: Head of the Department of Food Management

Belia Verje, Reverend: Head of the Department of Water and Sanitation

HERALDS

Ilva Bosch, Herald: Senior nurse at the Department of Maternal Affairs

Rhyanon Hayder, Herald: Deputy Chief of Civil Obligations, Accountant at the Department of Civil Obligations, Jaylen Hayder’s mother

Zenza Lenard, Herald: Senior Field Research Officer, supervisor to Elfreda

Netha Lien, Herald: Senior Enforcement officer

Vay Lusor, Herald: Leader of pilgrimage to the Moon Pillar

Kalis Nortem, Herald: Name attached to a bank account

Jesane Olberos, Herald: Notary in the Department of Judicial Affairs

ACOLYTES, OBLATES AND RELATIVES

Jaylen “Jay” Hayder: Rhyanon’s daughter

Elfreda Raughn, Acolyte: Junior Field Research Officer at the Department of Food Management

Kirane Raughn, Martyr: Elfreda’s mother, formerly Deputy Chief of Civil Obligations

Lenette Raughn, Martyr: Elfreda’s grandmother, deceased

Fian Sebet, Acolyte: Participant in pilgrimage to the Moon Pillar

Rina Tahen, Acolyte: Administrator at the Department of Food Management

Megane Tersi, Acolyte: Accountant at the department of Civil Obligations, poet

CIVILIANS

Daje Carsel: Millie’s boyfriend

Hanna: Millie’s girlfriend

Osan Jerone: Rhyanon’s driver

Declan Lars: Murderer

Faye Lenard: Zenza’s wife

Lucian: Bartender at the Candle

Tenet Poll: Zenza’s driver

Renson: Osan’s friend

Lariel Sacor: Millie’s alias

Finn Vidar: Elfreda’s best friend

Kamillian “Millie” Vidar: Elfreda’s counsellor, Finn’s older sister

CHAPTER

ONE

The sun skimmed over yellowing leaves and filtered through the branches. Birds darted amongst the trees, passing from shafts of light into shadow, their feathers catching silver. Too hot, too close, the woods themselves seemed restless. Under our feet, the leaf litter crunched, and our white robes rustled as we wound along the path.