“And we all heard the Summer Maiden,” Lambert mutters, looking around. “The power to take the Ringmaster down in a single strike ... that had to come from the Winter Queen.”

He pauses, frowning, then advances a thought that’s only half-formed in his head, uncertain yet how it might take shape.

“They don’t just have to take our word for it, do they?” He says, slowly. “We could show them our memories.”