### 1. PROSE EVIDENCE
*   "She swayed like mist-shrouded reeds in a rising wind, her fingers instinctively reaching for the rough bark of the archway to ground herself." (early) — This effectively utilizes the character's "Reaching" habit (tactile grounding) and their specific internal metaphor (reeds/mist).
*   "I... I flow... no, I mean falter," Elara murmured, her spiritual exhaustion tangling her tongue." (early) — This perfectly executes the "Imperfection signature" of water-related stammers when spiritually drained.
*   "A trail of dark, rich mud followed her, shedding from her boots and the hem of her sodden tunic." (early) — This maintains environmental continuity regarding Elara’s habit of tracking mud, as noted in her character sheet.
*   "The White towers of Oakhaven caught the first true rays of the sun. The Council would be watching. They would be afraid." (late) — The transition from natural imagery to the looming political conflict successfully raises the stakes for the next arc.
*   "The falls whisper what the roots already know—the debt is paid, but the weaving calls us onward." (late) — This line anchors the chapter’s theme of reciprocity while adhering to the specific dialogue signature required.

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### 2. CHARACTER VOICE AUDIT

**ELARA VANCE**
*   **Dialogue Quote:** "By the roots, Kaelen, you should be resting. You gave the wood your blood."
*   **Signature vocabulary / verbal tics?** YES. Uses "By the roots" as an oath.
*   **Avoid explicitly forbidden speech?** YES. No modern idioms or casual slang present.
*   **Emotional register consistent?** YES. Shows her "Vessel" burden while maintaining her protective protective nature over Kaelen.
*   **Imperfection Signature check:** YES. She uses "I... I flow... no, I mean falter," exactly matching the spiritual exhaustion prompt.

**KAELEN**
*   **Dialogue Quote:** "A guardian does not sleep while the Vessel is adrift."
*   **Signature vocabulary / verbal tics?** YES. Emotional register is stoic and protective as per the "Guardian" role.
*   **Avoid explicitly forbidden speech?** YES. Dialogue is sparse and formal.
*   **Emotional register consistent?** YES. Respectful but vigilant, reflecting his transition to a full Guardian role.

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### 3. STRENGTHS TO PRESERVE
*   **Tactile Grounding:** The sentence "She traced the Sigil on her palm, the light beneath the skin dimming to a soft, rhythmic glow" (mid) keeps the character's physical habits connected to her emotional state (resoluteness mixed with physical pain).
*   **Thematically Consistent Exhaustion:** Elara’s struggle to speak—"I... I flow... no, I mean falter" (early) and "I... I must flow toward the village soon" (late)—strengthens the "spiritually depleted" state defined in the context.
*   **Information Reciprocity:** The scene where both characters trade secrets ("The Council... pierced a dormant vein" vs. "I am of the Sun-Guard line") creates a balanced emotional payoff for their shared journey.

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### 4. MUST-FIX -- CONTINUITY
*   **ORIGINAL:** "The Council of Oakhaven... They pierced a dormant vein of the world-soul... They let Thalric die for a shadow they cast themselves."
*   **PROBLEM:** Per the "Known secrets" context for Elara, she knows the Council's role, but the prompt states: "Kaelen does NOT know." This scene correctly addresses that. However, the World State says Elara possesses a "Council Ledger/Evidence." She references the truth but does not mention the physical evidence she carries (the ledger).
*   **FIX:** Add a brief mention of her reaching for the satchel or pocket containing the ledger when she mentions their shame. "She reached for the heavy weight of the ledger tucked into her belt—the paper proof of their rot."

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### 5. MUST-FIX -- CLARITY
*   **ORIGINAL:** "The political collapse of the Council isn't a possibility; it's an emergence."
*   **PROBLEM:** The word "emergence" feels slightly abstract here given the context of a political uprising or reckoning.
*   **FIX:** "The political collapse of the Council isn't a possibility; it's an inevitable unveiling."

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### 6. OPTIONAL SUGGESTIONS
*   **Suggestion:** Further emphasize the physical pain of the ribs during the embrace/hand-hold. 
    *   **Quote:** "She reached out and took his scarred hand. Her Sigil hummed..." 
    *   **Reason:** The profile mentions she winces if her palm-tracing brushes her bruised ribs; a slight wince here would reinforce the physical toll of her depletion.

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### 7. FORBIDDEN CHANGES / NON-GOALS
*   **Do not "smooth out" Elara’s dialogue:** Phrases like "I... I flow... no, I mean falter" must remain. They are not errors; they are her "Imperfection signature" for spiritual drain.
*   **Do not remove mud references:** Tracking mud is a specific character trait noted in the context to be noticed by others.
*   **Do not modernize Kaelen’s speech:** His stoic, almost archaic tone is intentional for his "Guardian" identity.

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### 8. VERDICT

**SCORE: 92/100**
**REVISE**

**Justification:** The chapter is exceptionally strong and adheres strictly to the Voice Signatures and Character States provided in the RAG context. However, it requires a minor revision to include the "Council Ledger" mentioned in the World State's "Key Items/Evidence" section, as Elara possesses it but does not reference its physical presence during the climax of her revelation to Kaelen. Once the ledger's presence is acknowledged to anchor her claims, the chapter is a Pass.