Page 110 of Swift Wings Shadowed Heart
She thinks for a moment, weighing us in with that calculating way of hers. After a moment, she says, “I’m sure this can wait, Chief Inspector. I can think of worse things than sending an alleged murderess to confront enemy Screechclaws.”
The man bristles. “That’s an outrageous thing to say, Commander. We’re talking about someone who murdered one of our best Neutros, a high servant of the King.”
“You seem to forget it’s not your job to declare anyone guilty,” the Commander replies. “Skysinger Wyndward hasn’t stood trial, which is why the wordallegedexists.”
“There’s enough evidence to convict her,” he says, though he doesn’t seem as certain as before.
“Is there?” I ask in a mocking tone.
His beady eyes shoot a wave of hatred in my direction. “If you won’t bring her here, I will go after this contingent and arrest her midair, if that’s what it takes.” He starts toward the door.
“You will do no such thing,” Commander Voltguard says. “It’s quite enough you have flown here on dragon back, instead of sending a Boltgram. You will not interfere with a mission we’ve taken careful consideration to plan.”
The Commander hates that a few dragons and their riders are kept for the service of men like this. King Stonefall claims the creatures are meant to serve him first and Embernia second, so with his approval, idiots like Cragmere waste valuable resources that should otherwise be engaged in this unending war. The King’s opinion isn’t popular—or one that better Kings than him have held. Cragmere has no idea he’s unknowingly raised a touchy subject for every Sky Order member, especially the Commander.
Cragmere vacillates by the door, looking as if he’s going to escape to go in search of the dragon and rider who brought him here.
With a smirk, the Commander adds, “No dragons take to the sky in Fort Ashmire without my express orders, just so you know.”
“I’m appalled that you would protect someone who dared murder a renowned member of our society during the Rite of Flight ceremony, no less. I thought for sure you would find that disturbing.”
“What I find disturbing,” the Commander says, “is your callous presence here, and the use of a valuable resource, which you misemployed in the pursuit of your minor grievance.”
“Minor grievance? She killed a Neutro under your very noses. Thatgirlinsisted she didn’t know who her Neutro was, but guess what? She’s lying, and so is her father.”
I resist the urge to grab him by the neck and choke him. Unfortunately, that means he continues his tirade.
“As a matter of fact, it was Neutro Mortimer Cindergrasp who performed her Cleansing. To this day, others in the Cleansing Authority remember her father coming around accusing Neutro Cindergrasp of his wife’s death, when in reality, she died of natural causes. That girl had a motive, and she lied to cover up what she did.”
No. This can’t be true. He must be lying.
“Be that as it may,” the Commander replies, “you’ll have to wait until Skysinger Wyndward returns from her mission.”
“You’re interfering with my duties.”
“And you’re interfering with mine, which are undeniably more important than your little quest for justice, which for some reason feels like some sort of vendetta instead.”
“Oh, the disrespect.” Cragmere’s face is red, the bald top of his head sweating. He takes several deep breaths in a clear effort to control his temper. After he’s a few degrees calmer, he says, “How long will I have to wait?”
“The length and nature of the mission is classified information,” she says. “My suggestion would be for you to return to Emberton and wait there for Skysinger Wyndward’s arrival. I’ll ensure she gets there as soon as our timetable allows.”
“And what if she escapes?” he demands. “You realize you’ll be to blame if that happens?”
“She doesn’t know there’s a reason to escape.” She turns to me. “Correct, High Prime?”
“Correct, Commander.” My voice is cold, detached. I don’t know if what Cragmere said is true, but Rhealyn is a person of honor. If she weren’t, Heratrix wouldn’t have chosen her. If she weren’t, I would know.
“And it will remain so. Correct, High Prime?” The Commander’s voice is firm, an order for me to keep my mouth shut.
I hesitate, but only for a moment. “Correct.”
Never have I disobeyed a direct order from my Commander, and as I stand here, I don’t know if I’ll still be able to make that claim next time I see her. The lines of the Sky Order blur when it comes to Rhealyn. My duty demands one path, but the rest of me wants to follow the one that leads directly to her.
Cragmere seethes, but I can tell he knows he’s defeated. “Very well then.” Doing his best to keep his chin high, he leaves the office, leaving me alone with the Commander.
“What a contemptible man,” I say.
The Commander blows air through her nose and sits back down. “I really hope she doesn’t turn out to be a murderess. We don’t have time for this. Zephyros just lost a rider. He can’t lose another one so soon.”
