track me.” Tamas nodded to his bodyguard, and then dismissed him with a jerk of his head. Olem slipped out onto the balcony, while Tamas’s head reeled from the sudden movement. Careful, he reminded himself.
“I provided what service I could,” the brigadier said. “Pray tell me if there is more I can do. I’ve already begun gathering men to hunt Brigadier Ryze with Lady Winceslav’s blessing. He’ll not escape.”
“There is one thing you can do,” Tamas said.
“Anything, sir.”
“It’s a small thing. You see that screen there?” Tamas pointed toward the corner of the room, where a divider stood of the type a man or woman might change behind. “I’d like you to stand behind it and listen.”
“Sir?” Sabastenien said.
“You’ll understand soon enough,” Tamas said. “Please. For the whim of a beat-up old man.”
Brigadier Sabastenien gave him a hesitant nod. “Now?”
Tamas glanced at the clock. “Yes, that would be about right.”
Sabastenien positioned himself behind the curtain. A few moments passed, during which Tamas closed his eyes. His mind, though blocked off from the pain and weariness that would have rendered a man unconscious, still spun from the powder trance. Eyes open, he could see Olem out on the balcony, watching the birds fly in the sun over Elections Square. He could see stray fibers on Olem’s jacket, and when he concentrated, he thought he could even hear the beat of Sabastenien’s heart from where he hid behind the curtain. The young brigadier was calm.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Come in,” Tamas said. He straightened in his seat. Now was not a time to appear weak.
The door opened and Tamas caught a glimpse of Vlora waiting in the hall, hands resting on the butts of her pistols, as a pair of soldiers brought in Brigadier Barat. In contrast to Sabastenien, Barat was a tall man, taller than most. His features sharp, his brow severe, though with enough softness in the cheeks and eyes as to remain quite handsome. He was clean-shaven, and Tamas had heard soldiers say the man could not grow a beard if he wanted. Barat was twenty-six, and his father had been a wealthy viscount in the north before his death years before.
Tamas did not miss the look of confidence on Barat’s face, nor the sword still buckled to his belt.
“Please, sit,” Tamas said, indicating one of the chairs on the other side of his desk.
“I prefer to stand, thank you,” Brigadier Barat said. “I hope there’s a reason I was escorted here by your soldiers. Perhaps there’s been some misunderstanding.”
“I’m certain that’s the case,” Tamas said. “Give me just some of your time.” He fell quiet, watching Barat, waiting for him to squirm. A minute or two passed.
“This is quite irregular, sir,” Brigadier Barat said.
“Forgive me,” Tamas said. “My adventure over the past few days had quite the effect on me. I’m just thinking…”
“About what, sir?”
“You’ve heard of Ryze’s betrayal?” Tamas said.
Brigadier Barat stiffened. “A disgrace for the Wings of Adom. I’m very relieved you’re all right, sir,” he added, as if an afterthought.
“He was a broken man, sir,” Barat said. “Old and brittle.”
Tamas feigned surprise. “Really? I can’t say that we were ever really friends, but Ryze was a contemporary of mine. He was a few years ahead at the university, and the academy. He never loved anything the way he’s loved Adro, and he was a fine commander and father. He handled the campaign against the royalists splendidly.”
“That was only my impression of him, sir,” Barat said. “I mean, I’ve only known him for a year or so. I meant no offense.”
“Why was he ‘brittle and broken’?” Tamas asked.
“I don’t know. He…”
“Yes?”
“Well, I don’t want to start rumors, sir, not without all the facts in.”
“It’s a bit late for that,” Tamas said. “Ryze handed me over to a Kez Privileged. He’s a traitor and a villain.”
Barat looked slightly shaken by this. He licked his lips. “Well, I think he didn’t like me. He was jealous of my favor with Lady Winceslav. He didn’t think one so young should have risen the ranks to brigadier so quickly.”
“Really?” Tamas once again acted surprised. “I… well, I can’t imagine. I know Brigadier Sabastenien rose faster than you. And he wasn’t bedding Lady Winceslav.”
“Well, yes but…” Brigadier Barat’s eyes grew large. “Sir! With respect, sir, I’ll have to ask you to take that back.”
“We both know it’s true,” Tamas said. “In fact, it’s common knowledge around both my army