Heiko's arrest brought her face to face with Norika, the cousin whose lasting injury remained bound to her own guilt. Chiye protected Heiko, but a private confrontation between the cousins was needed before either could explain what had brought her to this divided city.
Norika offered forgiveness; Heiko showed her the homes, food, schools and infrastructure the Uprisers provided for displaced people. Risona challenged the value of negotiations with an institution that had already allowed so much suffering.
Norika agreed to carry proposals to Naomi and the Council, acknowledging that her word alone could not enact them. Heiko took a risk on that effort without becoming an Imperial loyalist or ending the revolt. Family could make an opening for honest argument without dissolving the political conflict around it.