“Is that the unpalatable truth you think got you sent here?” Shi asked.
I swallowed. After so many years I wanted to say, but…
“You have been here nineyears, Flight Sergeant Segast. What possible harm could it do to tell a truth one more time?”
We had Precept Whetu Himona come over every other month to preach, take confide and preside over any necessary ceremony. Include Fenwick and Jimny’s marriage. But I had never confided this truth. Himona wasn’t due for another fiveweeks. But if I told Shi, he would certainly remember, and I could not have —
“Sullivan,” Shi said carefully. “I would not betray your confidence. I have always known your posting here had something to do with Supreme Marshal Tiernan. I do not understand what happened. If I did, I might be able to help.”
“With all due respect, sir. No, you wouldn’t.”
“You don’t—”
“I saw a silver dragon.”
Now Shi looked at me, his jaw slightly loose.
He knew. He knew it was blasphemy to say such a thing. There were black, white, blue, purple, red and orange great dragons. It was fabled that a gold had one existed. But the Church was adamant that no silver dragon did, or could ever, exist and that it was an insult to the Gods to say otherwise.
“I see,” he said.
“Do you?”
“I see why you have not mentioned this. Be assured that neither will I.”
Because blasphemy was punishable. Thinking of the punishment brought me back to the moment.
“What illegal move did Evanov make?” I asked. “I couldn’t see from where I stood.”
“His hand went to Fin’s groin.” Shi’s tone darkened at the explanation.
“Tell me he was trying to punch—”
“The matter will be dealt with,” Shi cut me off.
I dragged in a breath, my pulse banging in my ears. Just how far did I have to go to protect my son?
“Punishment is my purview not yours, understand?” Shi demanded.
I kept my head up, but my eyes off Shi’s. Though staring at the perfect length of his neck wasn’t much of an improvement. “Yes, sir.”
“Hmm,” he grunted. “I would suggest you start with the punchbag.”
* * *
“I hope you’re happy now.”
I looked up from my desk. “Rider Evanov,” I said into the ruddy face of the man barely holding back his snarl.
“My son is scarred for life because of you.”
I didn’t blink. “I do not have the faintest idea what you are talking about.”
Eye blazed in that red face. “He was beaten for daring to touch your precious boy.”
“No,” I said, pushing down my heart rate and the urge to grind my teeth. “Lloyd was punished for making an illegal move on the mats. But not by me.”
“No.” Evanov smacked his hands on my desk and leaned in threateningly. I did not move. “But we weren’t allowed near the only healer in the fortress. You refused to help him.”
