“Good—if you question my Face, you question me.Is that clear?”
“Yes, sire,” Elias gritted out, sounding like he was swallowing nails.
Torvald glanced at Graydon.“Continue.”
“As I was about to say—although the Consortium claims it on paper, in actuality it would be more appropriate to view it as a border area since it is home to a number of factions.This includes several minor Tuann Houses who’ve settled there.Though, they face constant threat of pirate attacks.Both of human and wanderer origin.”
Asanth’s interim lord looked up with interest.“I thought the star map looked familiar.We’ve lost a couple sub-houses out there over the years.Wasn’t a house subordinate to Luatha also lost recently?Maxiim, I think.”
Liara nodded.“That is correct, Rhett.They lost their Overlord, his First, and ninety percent of their oshota.Only a handful survived the attack.Luatha took their children under our banner for a short time.The elder just passed hisadva kaand is preparing to restore his House’s glory.”
Elias made a scoffing sound.“Someone should have brought him back to reality.As if establishing a House is so easy.No doubt he’ll wind up just like his former Overlord.”
Kira disliked Elias’s tone.Joule may be young, but he was capable of great things.It wasn’t for Elias to decide what those things were.
“You mentioned the oldest but what about the youngest?”Helena asked.
Kira ignored the searching glance Liara shot her.Despite her best efforts, Ziva had managed to wiggle her way past Kira’s defenses and lodge herself in Kira’s heart.Kind of like a barbed thorn that refused to be plucked free no matter what she did.
“Her fate is still in something of a transition,” Liara answered with a private smile.
“I think I’ve heard enough,” Torvald announced.“I’m placing Graydon in charge of this investigation.”
Helena and Rhett raised their voices in objection.
Torvald cut them off with a simple gesture.“I understand the complicated interests involved in this matter.Kashori and Asanth may each appoint a representative to accompany my Face.”He bared his teeth at those present.“This way there can be no questions later regarding the truth.”
Sariah stepped away from the wall.“The inquisitors wish to be included in this investigation.”
“You have no authority to make any demands.This isn’t in your jurisdiction,” Graydon argued.
“That’s why we’re making this request.We were present during the attack on the emperor’s son.We would like to see this through.”
Torvald looked past Sariah to Jarek.“Does her opinion represent the rest of your order?”
Jarek bowed his head.“It does.”
Torvald tapped the arm of his chair once before nodding.“Very well.You may join the expedition.”
Graydon looked like he’d tasted something nasty as Sariah preened.
The emperor glanced at Harlow and Kira.“Before we end, I want to make one thing clear.Roake will not involve themselves in this pursuit.They and their heir are to stay far away.”
Harlow’s response was firm.“Understood.”
Kira swallowed back her instinctive objection, knowing it would do no good and only cause others to question Harlow’s authority at a critical time.
The emperor seemed to sense something, his gaze deepening.“Is that clear?”
Kira paused to glance at Harlow one last time before giving a resigned nod.“It is.”
“Good.Don’t let me find out that you disobeyed.”
The “or else” was left to Kira’s imagination.
“Dismissed,” Torvald barked.
Those who could slipped out the door as soon as the order was issued.Asanth’s interim lord was one of them, striding out of the room without a backwards glance.Helena and Liara said a few words to each other before they and their people began to trickle out.
