Page 78 of Paladin's Hope

“Which is why it’s up to us to handle it,” said Galen.

Piper nodded to him. “And the gnoles will know much better than we will where the pain points with the guard will be. Hopefully the Rat can intercede, although at this point, that might just make it worse.”

“That’s Beartongue’s fear,” said Stephen. “She’d swoop in with the cavalry if she could, but she’s afraid that any show of interest will put the gnoles in the crossfire.” He glanced to the door of the guard station, three steps up. The stone was dark and still bore the stains of flooding from two years earlier. “The two of us probably shouldn’t even go with you, truth be told.”

“We’re going,” said Galen. He heard how harsh his voice sounded, but didn’t try to soften it. The thought of letting Piper go in alone, of the doctor being arrested and thrown in a cell for his part in stopping Thomas, made his gut churn. I’m the one who killed him. Me. And yet I walk free because a paladin in pursuit of his duties is exempt from murder charges, while others take the blame.

“I’m glad to have you both,” said Piper. Was there a trace of warmth in his eyes as he glanced at Galen? Galen wanted to think so, even as he knew that he didn’t deserve it. Nothing’s changed. You’d still eat him alive.

But Piper, in his court robes, with his face as cold as chiseled marble, did not look like he would be easily devoured.

“Very well,” said the doctor, and swept into the guard station as if he were the Archon himself.

Thirty-Four

“Doctor Piper?” said Captain Mallory, rising to his feet. “How can I…” He trailed off, seeing the two paladins that had shouldered in after him. His expression, which had been professional and polite, soured significantly.

There was a guard on the desk who was supposed to keep people from wasting the captain’s time. Piper had simply stalked up and informed him that he was on official business and the guard had taken one look at his outfit and hastily waved him through. Stephen and Galen walked in after him, and when the guard had protested, Stephen said only, “We’re with him.”

“Oh,” said Mallory, “it’s you.” He sighed heavily. “I have nothing to say to you. Doctor Piper, is there some reason that you’ve brought these…gentlemen…to my office?”

“Constable Earstripe has been assisting me with my research,” said Piper crisply. “These gentlemen have informed me that he has been arrested.”

Mallory’s eyes flicked between the three men. Galen wondered if he was recalling the long ago pretense of being lovers. Either way, he’s dividing the world into Us and Them and I believe that Piper just firmly became one of Them. I wonder if that’ll make his work harder in the future.

I wonder if he cares.

Judging by the coldness radiating off Piper, the doctor did not care. His eyes were flat and every motion bespoke tight control. If Galen had seen a man walking toward him who moved like that, he would have reached for his sword.

“Earstripe is helping the guard with its inquiries into a difficult matter,” said Mallory.

“From inside a jail cell,” snapped Galen. Both Mallory and Piper ignored him, their eyes locked.

Piper stepped forward and sat down in the chair in front of the desk. Stephen took the other chair. Galen looked around, found a third chair, and hauled it into place on Piper’s other side, so that they flanked him like an honor guard.

Confronted with the fact that apparently the trio was not going to be leaving, Mallory’s lips thinned. “I have other matters that require my time.”

“As do we,” said Piper, in that hoarfrost voice. “The sooner that this matter is cleared up, the sooner we can be on our way.”

Mallory clearly weighed the benefits of sitting versus calling for the paladins to be thrown out of the office. I suppose he could charge us all with trespassing, but he has to know that it would never stick in court, and that one of the Rat’s lawyers would take great pleasure in making him look like a fool before the judge. He sat.

“This is an internal investigation of the guard,” said Mallory. “The Rat has no business interfering.”

“Do the courts?” asked Piper silkily.

Mallory’s eyes narrowed at the reminder of Piper’s status. “Once the investigation has been completed, if charges must be brought, perhaps.”

“And how long will an injured person sit in a jail cell while it is being completed? Earstripe was near death several weeks ago. Are you willing to let him die while you investigate?”

“I didn’t write the arrest order,” snapped Mallory. “I don’t know what you hope to gain by coming here. I’m not the one conducting the investigation. Don’t blame me.”

Galen had an answer for that which would have involved Mallory, his anatomy, and the anatomy and legitimacy of many of his relatives, but before he could start, he felt Piper’s boot nudge him sharply in the calf. He glanced at the doctor, who flicked his eyes to Stephen. Galen shut his mouth and waited.

“We are not seeking blame,” said Stephen, in his deep, sad voice. “We are seeking responsibility.”

“Responsibility,” said Mallory, with venom. “With the Rat? Don’t give me that shit. It’s so goddamn black and white for you people. The rest of us have to live down here.””

Galen would have had a lot to say about that as well, but Piper’s foot was now pressed down hard on his.

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