Frost spread from Didi's palm along the muster rail, and the warden's next order died halfway down the line.
[ The Unclaimed Kingdom | Muster seal contested | Forced obedience nullified ]
"Stand," the oath warden barked, slapping his gauntlet against the brass seal riveted over his breastplate, "every registered hand, stand and hold the rail!"
The captives stayed exactly where they were, and a few of them started to shake.
"You're free to go," Didi told them, keeping her hand flat on the frosted oak, "the side door is open, and nobody in this room can call you back."
A gray-haired woman near the front touched her own wrist like she expected a chain to bite.
"It doesn't pull," she whispered.
"It won't again."
Wren swung his lantern low at the side door, "This way, one at a time, and mind that step!"
