Galina was innocent and Galina was released, and August had accomplished exactly what Lyra needed of him. It had been the right thing. An innocent woman was free. Of course, he was a little more discouraged with Ministerial process, his reputation was a little bit more dinged - but he did not regret it. Galina deserved to be free.

August was sitting with the release paperwork in a Ministry interrogation room when she arrived. "Good day, Galina," August said easily.

"You just need to sign these," he said, "And we'll go over the terms of your release."

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