The Hearthline’s worst enemy was the kind of dignity that refuses to bend. The best ally was a person who carried their shame openly—people like Mara, who had no single narrative to defend. She could place a hand on an apprentice’s shoulder and say, simply, “You’ll learn.” It was as meaningful as a coin and often worth more.

If you want, I can:

Elara adjusted her glasses, looking over the rim of her tea cup. "It was a clerical error, dear. The Lich was actually a very aggressive skeleton with a thyroid condition. I filed it under 'Nuisance.'"