Page 13 of The Study of Fire
“Oh.” He blinked at him for a few moments as if trying to decide on the proper response.
When he slumped over, Valek straightened him and covered him with the blanket. He returned to work for another few hours, then met briefly with the Commander, filling him in on Captain Ryda’s visit.
He returned to his suite and grabbed his pillow and blanket. Clearing off the rest of his couch, he arranged his bedding before extinguishing the lanterns.
Valek squirmed into a comfortable position. The couch would do for a night or two. He had crashed on it a number of times when he was too exhausted to climb the stairs to his bedroom, and when he’d been feeling overprotective when Yelena slept in her room.
He dozed until the slight click of the window’s latch woke him. A rush of cold air blew through the room before the window slid closed. Impressed that the intruder climbed the castle’s walls in the dark to attain his suite, Valek waited until the black-clad figure reached Trevar’s door.
“Leave the boy alone, Janco,” he said.
The figure spun. “Shouldn’t you be in bed?” Janco asked.
“I could ask the same of you.”
“I’m just helping Kenda with the puppy dog’s training.”
“Did she ask you for help?”
“Well, no, but he needs to learn how to function in any physical condition.”
“It’s not your place to decide what Trevar needs to learn.”
“He certainly needs a lesson in manners.” Janco huffed.
“What you’re doing is not a lesson. It’s hazing, and borderline bullying.” Valek continued before Janco could interrupt. “You are an adviser now. Second-in-command. This behavior is beneath you.”
“But he?—”
“Accused your team of cheating. I know. We’ll do another set of exercises.”
“I want an apology. A heartfelt apology and not ordered by anyone.”
“Do you really think harassing him to the point of exhaustion is going to elicit an apology?”
“It’s not like he has anything else to do.”
“Again, it’s not your place to determine that. I need him for a mission, but he’s currently incapable of forming a complete sentence.”
Janco perked up. “A mission? Ari and I have been bored to tears, we can?—”
“No. Trevar and Adrik are best for this job.”
“But they’re still in training.”
“Are you questioning my authority?”
Janco rushed to assure him. “No. It’s just…” Another huff. “No one calls us cheaters and gets away with it.”
“Did you cheat?”
“No! Of course not!” His outrage held an edge of betrayal, as if Valek just mortally wounded him.
“Then why are you so upset?”
“It’s just…” Janco balled his hands into fists as he tensed. “My cousins accused me of cheating every time I won a game, or a race, or did anything better than them. They never acknowledged that I was good at something other than getting into trouble.”
Ah, the real reason for the harassment.
