Page 127 of The Study of Poisons
A knock on the door was a welcome interruption. Dema burst in without waiting for a response.
“The Commander’s awake!!” She danced around his desk.
It seemed too good to be true. “What happened?”
“Yelena wanted to try to wake him, so Irys brought her to his room. And it worked!”
Marveling, Valek knew he shouldn’t be surprised that Yelena pulled off another heroic feat. He and Dema raced to the Commander’s guest suite, but the man had already kicked everyone out and Valek was informed that he and Yelena would need to report that evening.
* * *
The Commander had commandeeredBrazell’s office. He sat behind the massive wooden desk. He’d lost weight and his cheeks were hollow. His hard expression matched his stiff posture. He didn’t waste time with pleasantries. “Report.”
Valek and Yelena took turns briefing the Commander on everything that transpired and all they’d learned since the general’s brandy meeting.
“Brazell told me that Mogkan showed up at his manor with a group of children,” Valek said. “He was looking for a place to hide and he struck a deal with Brazell to help Brazell become the next Commander. Once Mogkan achieved enough power to reach your mind from MD–5, they started feeding you Criollo, sir.”
“What about the factory?” the Commander asked.
“We have halted production,” Valek said.
“Good. Salvage what equipment you can, then burn the factory and any Criollo to the ground.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Anything else?”
“One more interesting item. Brazell said that once he and Mogkan had control of Ixia, they planned to take over Sitia.”
The Commander huffed. “Brazell’s trial will be tomorrow. You’re dismissed.”
Valek and Yelena left the office. While ecstatic that Ambrose had returned, Valek hoped the diamond hard edge to the man would soften with time. It was understandable. Ambrose hated magicians and to be enslaved by one… Valek shuddered. However, there had been a few positives to that time. The Sitian trade treaty. The delegation of work. The feast. Although, Valek suspected it would be a very long time before the Commander would allow himself to relax. If ever.
* * *
Brazell’s trialwas a quick affair. They held court in the dining room. Valek stood to the Commander’s right and read a list of criminal charges, while Brazell faced them. It was a long list, and Valek presented evidence for each offense.
The Commander declared Brazell guilty of all charges, stripping him of his rank and sentencing him to life in prison.
As in every trial the Commander presided over, the accused was permitted to say a few last words.
Brazell shouted to the audience of soldiers, advisers, and officers, “You fools. Your Commander’s a deceiver. You’ve been lied to for years! The Commander’s really a woman dressed as a man!”
What the hell doesthathave to do with anything? Who cares what gender he is? The Commander is the Commander.It hadn’t mattered to Valek when he found out years ago. It had changed nothing.
Valek exchanged a glance with the Commander. His expression remained neutral as the silence continued. Then the audience laughed at Brazell who had used his last chance to apologize or explain his actions to spout nonsense. They jeered at Brazell as he was escorted back to his cell.
* * *
Commander Ambrose helda meeting with Irys, Ari, Yelena, and Valek that evening. As he stood in front of the desk with the others, Valek wondered about the choice of attendees. A strange, unsettled feeling churned in his stomach.
The first order of business was the Commander agreeing to honor the trade treaty. Irys smiled and thanked him.
Then he turned to Yelena, and Valek held his breath.
“Yelena,” he said in a formal tone, “you have saved my life, and, for that, I thank you. But you have magical abilities that are not tolerated in Ixia. I have no choice but to sign an order for your execution.”
Valek grabbed Ari’s shoulder, preventing the big man from doing or saying something regrettable. Or was it to prevent Valek from reacting? He waited for the Commander to add a “however.” Except the man held out the assassination order to Valek.
