Page 28 of The Study of Magic
Valek turned around.
“That’s her name. The adviser who hired us.”
“Thank you.”
* * *
As soon as Valek entered Captain Silas’s office, the man put his hands up, stopping him. “I’m out. This is too big for my rank. Colonel Laban requests your presence in their office A-sap.”
“Are you in trouble?” Valek asked.
“Time will tell.” He handed Valek Roth’s papers.
“I’ll let them know you’ve been very helpful.”
“I appreciate that.”
Valek’s thoughts whirled as he headed to the colonel’s office suite. Just like Colonel Ute, Laban split their time between the garrison and the General’s house. Valek would have preferred not to get Laban involved, but it was too late. Laban had probably already sent a messenger to Tesso, alerting the general about Valek’s presence. At least it would take a couple days for Tesso to get the message.
Two guards were stationed on either side of Laban’s door.
“Go on in,” the guard said. “The colonel is expecting you.”
Lovely. Valek rapped his knuckles on the wood as a courtesy before entering the spacious room. A large oval-shaped conference table took up the left side, a sitting area with four couches and four armchairs had been arranged in front of a massive fireplace on the right side. Back near the far wall, Colonel Laban stood behind their desk. And sitting in an oversized armchair in front of it was General Tesso.
CHAPTER6
Valek bit back a curse. General Tesso’s presence just transformed the situation with the Criollo from bad to worse. At least he shouldn’t know about the incident in MD-3 with Ute.
“Ah, there you are,” Tesso said in a clipped tone as Valek drew closer. “We were just discussing you.”
Valek noted Laban’s stiff posture, indicating their irritation. Tesso’s dour expression also didn’t bode well for this meeting.
When Valek remained quiet, Tesso added, “We wondered why you didn’t feel it necessary to alert the garrison’s commander of your presence and your claims against a trade caravan.”
There were several concerning words in that sentence. “Because it wasn’t necessary to wake the colonel for a situation that I’m quite capable of handling,” Valek said.
“You can’t just come in here and order my people about,” Laban said.
“I can. They’re my people, too.”
“Look, Valek,” Tesso said. “After the debacle with Brazell and the Commander, your reputation isn’t exactly stellar right now. And to add to it, you’re accusing a trade caravan of transporting illegal goods. Since when is a dessert considered illegal?”
“Regardless of my reputation, I’m under no obligation to explain my actions to you or anyone else besides the Commander.”
Tesso laughed without humor. “The Commander who you are sworn to protect? The one you allowed to be captured and almost killed? The one you abandoned soon after to pursue some assassin in Sitia?ThatCommander?”
The general must have learned of Valek’s mission to save Yelena before he left MD-5. He wondered how he found out so fast. Had the Commander shared the information? Regardless, Valek failed to rise to the bait. Instead, he gave the general his flat killer stare. He’d love to assassinate the man and put Laban in charge.
Tesso was unimpressed. “Well,thatCommander is not yet recovered from his ordeal. He’s making hasty, emotional, and illogical decisions and you’re not considered reliable anymore. In fact, what are you even doing here? You should be by the Commander’s side, ensuring no one else can harm him, and not going on foolish errands for him. Let alone this side jaunt, chasing after nothing.”
Ah. So, Tesso did know about Ute. Again, the news had traveled much faster than it normally would, which was concerning. However, the general was notallwrong. Valek should be with the Commander.
“Your opinions have been noted, General,” Valek said. “If you’re finished expressing them, I’ve work to do.” Valek stepped to leave.
“Where’s Colonel Ute?” Tesso demanded.
“GeneralUte should be at her manor house in MD-5 by now.” Valek hoped.
