Page 123 of The Study of Poisons
“Reassigned. Retired. Relocated. I’m the only one left from before and that’s only because I handle the budget and balance the books. The general and Mogkan couldn’t be bothered.”
“Did you know he planned to take control of Ixia?” Valek watched his expression closely.
“No. I wasn’t privy to his plans. Although, I’m not surprised. That man was always scheming for more. More power. More wealth. More land. More control.”
“He’s currently under arrest for a long list of crimes.”
“And Adviser Mogkan?”
“Dead.”
“Oh dear.”
“I need your help. The search parties will be returning soon, and I need you to run interference.”
“Interference?”
“They are searching for me and the Commander’s food taster. They will seek out the general and Mogkan when they return. Until I have our soldiers in position, they could decide to attack us and free the general. I also need you to send all the guards working inside the manor to the barracks.”
“Oh dear. Isn’t there someone else who could run…interference?”
“You’re the highest authority in MD-5. I outrank you, but the soldiers believe I’m a fugitive.”
“What about the Commander, surely—”
“He’s indisposed at the moment.”
“Oh dear.”
“Do you have some loyal people to help you?” Valek asked gently.
“I…” The man straightened and smoothed his hair. “Yes. Some of the ex-advisers are still working in the manor. I’m sure they’ll be happy to aid us.”
“Good.”
While Kirwin gathered his supporters, Valek checked on the Commander. No change. Brazell, though, was awake and started hollering as soon as he spotted Valek. He ignored him and talked with Dema.
“He’s been yelling off and on for the last fifteen minutes,” she said. “Threatened us with just about everything. It’s nice that I no longer have the compulsion to listen to him. Do you think the Commander will recover?”
“He’s a strong-willed man. I’m sure of it,” Valek said in a confident tone. Was he trying to convince Dema or himself?
Valek then visited Janco—no change—before joining Kirwin and three other ex-advisers outside the manor. It was almost dawn. The search parties would be back soon to report. The units of soldiers returned at different times throughout the morning. Kirwin explained that Brazell had been arrested and Valek was no longer court martialed. Many of Brazell’s soldiers appeared suspicious, but none forced the issue. Not yet.
Once the Commander’s elite guard returned, Valek could breathe easier. They cheered when they spotted him. Nice to know they believed him to be innocent.
Despite being on duty for twelve hours straight, they snapped to attention, ready for action. He assigned half of them to guard the manor house, including the Commander’s suite. The rest were divided up. He sent four soldiers to escort General Brazell to the dungeon and watch him. A couple were ordered to help Tocara and Chelle collect Criollo. Valek assembled a team to take all the dead bodies and Mogkan to the morgue. And the rest were assigned to help Irys free the mindless victims and find them more comfortable quarters.
By the time everything had been sorted, it was mid-afternoon. He stopped in the infirmary to see Janco. No change. Valek checked on the Commander. No change.
Beyond exhausted, and well into the realm of dead tired, Valek stumbled into one of the bedrooms in the guest wing. With his vision turning to snow and a loud buzzing in his ears, he just managed to collapse into bed before passing out.
* * *
He woke…sometimelater. The sun shone through the windows, indicating early afternoon. He’d slept either a day or two. Moving was a massive mistake as every single muscle in his body not only ached with pain but had stiffened to immobility. Well, not quite that bad, but close. His head pounded and he thought someone had gagged him until he realized the hard dry lump wedged in his mouth was his own tongue.
Thank fate someone had left a pitcher of water and food on the night table. The fact he hadn’t woken when they’d entered meant he’d gone well beyond his physical limits. It would take him a day or so to recover. Not that he’d let anyone know.
Valek drained the pitcher and ate all the food. Groaning, he rolled off the bed and stood on shaky legs. Perhaps a few days was being overly optimistic.
