Bound-Acolyte Thorne Vey

Dark branching marks climb Thorne Vey’s neck from beneath his collar. They appeared when his master died and an old pact passed to the acolyte who had inherited the master’s station. The sealed terms arrived with the marks, but the obligation was already at work before Thorne could read them.

Sealed Verdict carries him between people who knew his master and might understand the bargain. Some insist the pact is an honor; others advise him to break it without explaining who would pay the price. Thorne has learned to distrust both forms of confidence.

He is young enough to resent an inheritance that was never offered as a choice, and careful enough to know that resentment alone will not resolve it. He wants to understand what was promised, to whom, and why his master accepted. Until he does, anyone seeking to claim his service will meet a man determined to read every word first.