Page 14 of The Study of Fire
“I understand your frustration and anger, but Trevar is not your cousin. He’s your colleague. A young and inexperienced one that lost his temper over losing the exercise and said some things that I’m sure he’s regretting. You can’t get upset every time someone calls you a cheater. You are my second-in-command and need to learn to ignore all the comments and criticism and name calling that goes with being in a position of authority. Petty revenge and childish behavior is a thing of the past.”
“It was just a bit of fun—” Janco protested.
“Fun? He mightnotrecover. Do you understand? Even after he’s caught up on his sleep, Trevar might jump at every shadow and noise for the rest of his life, rendering him useless as a spy.”
“Oh. I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Obviously. Which is why we’re having this chat. Now, do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you’ll leave Trevar alone?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. You’re dismissed.”
Janco headed toward the door.
“Where are you going?”
“Back to my suite.”
“You came in through the window. You can exit the same way.”
Janco paused a moment, then changed course. The window opened and closed with barely a whisper.
* * *
Trevar slept for a day and a half. Dressed in his training uniform, he emerged from Yelena’s room, blinking in the bright sunlight. The young man paled when he spotted Valek working at his desk.
“Uh. Sorry, sir?” Trevar ran a hand through his hair.
“For what?” Valek asked.
“I’m not sure. But…” He gestured to the living area. “I must have done something bad to end up here. Uh… No offense.”
“If you’d done something bad, you would have woken up in a cell. How do you feel?”
“Better.”
“Good. Go get cleaned up, grab something to eat, and find Adrik. Both of you are to report to me in my office in two hours.”
“Yes, sir.” Trevar strode to the door, but he stopped with his hand hovering over the knob.
“You passed the extra testing. No one is going to ambush you. Well, no one onourside. There’s always a chance of an attack from our enemies.”
“But it’s a slim chance.”
Valek thought about the Ambassador’s recent visit to Sitia. It had not gone well and Ixia’s relationship with the Council was currently strained. “It’s always best to be prepared.”
* * *
Adrik and Trevar arrived at the appointed hour. Some color had returned to Trevar’s face, but he appeared to still be on edge. They sat in front of Valek’s desk while he explained their mission in Castletown.
At the end, Trevar leaned forward. “Do you think it’s a new drug?”
“I don’t have enough information at this point to form an opinion. And you shouldn’t either. If you think you’re searching for a new drug, then you’ll miss any clues that point in another direction. Keep an open mind. If anything strikes you as odd, don’t dismiss it out of hand. Investigate it.” Valek removed a pouch full of coins from his drawer and handed it to them. “This is for lodging, food, and bribes if needed. Also, if things get hot, leave town right away. I don’t care if it blows your covers.”
