The young woman meticulously went through a multitude of rules and regulations, her recitation spanning a full hour. James stood resolute in the main hall, while Lothar and the other heads and elders stood in quiet attendance by the side. Eventually, the exhaustive list of rules and regulations came to an end.

“Has Wael not arrived yet?” Lothar inquired as the readings concluded and the ceremony was about to start. However, Wael had not made an appearance, which prompted Lothar to question the