Page 18 of The Study of Magic
“Thank you.” She pulled in a deep breath and looked around her office. “I’ll need four days to pack and tie up a few loose ends. And say goodbye.”
“Do you have a family, General?”
“No. Like you, I’m married to my job.”
He wanted to correct her, to tell her he had Yelena. Yet here he stood in MD-3 and Yelena was far to the south in Sitia, living a separate life.
“Shall we inform General Franis of your decision?”
Ute squared her shoulders. “We shall.”
“Then let’s stop by the guest quarters, I’ve something for you.”
Back at his rooms, Valek changed into his adviser’s uniform. He dug into his pack and pulled out the general’s jacket with five green diamonds stitched onto it.
“I had to guess your size.” He handed it to her.
“What if I had said no?”
“It would have remained in my pack getting even more wrinkled.”
She laughed.
* * *
To say General Franis was not happy about Valek finding and delivering Ute her promotion was an understatement. He demanded to see the paperwork and studied it for a long while. Then he placed it on his desk.
“I’m sorry Ute, but I can’t accept this as authentic. The Commander has recently been compromised by Brazell. He was trapped in a magical coma for days and was being influenced by magic for months. According to generals Tesso and Hazal, he wasn’t completely recovered. Therefore, he’s not in his right mind to make big decisions like this. We’re going to discuss the situation. Don’t worry, you’ll still be one of the top candidates under consideration. In the meantime, I believe I ordered you to the NIP outpost.”
Poor Ute just gaped at Franis with a crushed expression. She started to remove her general’s jacket.
Valek put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. “I assure you the Commander is fully recovered and not in the mood for these games, General Franis.”
“Games? This from the man who is supposed to be keeping the Commander safe? Where were you when Brazell and his pet magician targeted the Commander? How could you allow that to happen? Perhaps you are in league with them?”
Valek admired the General’s efforts to undermine his integrity. “I’m not going to explain nor defend my actions to you. The Commander will brief you on the incident when he is ready.”
“Not good enough. I’m not releasing Colonel Ute until I’ve talked with the Commander.”
“It’s not up to you. In fact, by refusing the Commander’s orders, you’re committing treason. Unlike you, I obey the Commander’s orders and will escort General Ute to MD-5.”
“You’re inmydistrict, Valek. You’re outnumbered.”
If he had a gold coin for every time someone had told him he was outnumbered, Valek would be a very rich man. He waited for Ute to respond. This was her first challenge. Would she cave to Franis’s demands or assert her rights?
“You no longer have any authority over me, General Franis,” Ute said. “I’m leaving immediately. Please have my personal effects packed and sent to MD-5.” She turned on her heel and left.
Valek silently celebrated as he followed her from the room. He caught up to her in the hallway.
“Now what?” she asked. Her hands were shaking.
“We’ll grab my knapsack and then swing by your rooms so you can pack a travel bag.”
“I can pack while you?—”
“No. We stay together.”
“Do you really think?—”
