Several of the younger occupants of the table looked confused, and whispers began—explanations of and speculation upon the past Irving now referenced.
“Samuel had no part in what I did.”Benedict’s voice was as calm and cool as an autumn breeze.
“Your wife, Captain Irving, sent my brother dozens of solicitations,” Ben continued.“He did not open them.Istole those letters.Istole his name and the affection your wife had for him—earned, I might add, through the common goodness and respect he extends to all.Yes, he did conceal the truth.Because my magecraft, my soul, was corrupted by the Black Tide Cult, and his silence ensured I was protected from the world.I had the opportunity to use my power to protect this nation, and I acquitted myself well, you must agree.Until the wreck, which my Sooth foresaw, and I took every action to prevent.”
“For your own benefit,” Irving snapped back.
Benedict shrugged.“Show me one person seated at this table who acts solely for the good of others.Even my brother cannot qualify, try as he might.”
I nearly spoke up, but this was Benedict’s moment.Benedict’s reckoning.
Silence enshrouded the company.Solace was looking at Admiral Rosser with unspoken questions, and Captain Irving’s face had begun to blotch with rage.
“For those still confused, I slept with Captain Irving’s wife,” Benedict informed the table.The silence fractured into murmursand cries of indignation, which Solace shushed with a hand.Her eyes were curious now, but tight with warning.
Ben went on, “A young woman lonely and driven to seek comfort in me—in my brother—because of her husband’s braggartly ways, his disregard for her and others, his gross and obvious favoritism, and his frequent, casual cruelty towards her inability to bear him a child.An inability, I might point out, that was rectified by a single night with me—”
“You bastard!”Captain Irving roared.“Silence yourself or I will have—”
Benedict continued, unruffled.“So perhaps, Captain, you might begin reconciliation with your wife by admitting your own faults in that matter.I understand that my daughter is healthy and whole, and I should think that you would consider her a gift.”
Captain Irving’s chair hit the floor with a clatter.Benedict and I both stood, facing our former mentor as the room looked on.
Irving stopped two paces away, his face scarlet with rage.“I have and will have nothing to do with yourspawn.And you, the pair of you?I demand your blood.”
“No.”Admiral Solace also rose to her feet at the far end of the table.“Captain, your conduct is unbecoming.This incident, though unpleasant, is well in the past and, clearly, personal.If you cannot control yourself considering the threat our people face, I fear my confidence in you has been misplaced.”
Captain Irving struggled to restrain himself.His feet still jerked compulsively forward, and I thought he might throw himself at Benedict and I.Instead, he stormed out of the room.
The door slammed with such ferocity, one of the youngest officers squeaked.
“Please, Rossers, sit,” Solace said into the ensuing hush.“I intended to deal with you once the threat had passed, however… it seems this particular wound must be cauterized.Admiral Rosser, proceed.”
Benedict and I slowly returned to our seats as our uncle presided.
“In light of recent revelations, Samuel Rosser, I am pleased to offer you a new commission in Her Majesty’s Royal Navy,” Admiral Rosser said.“And before accusations of favoritism arise, this was put forward by Admiral Solace and numerous others following the battle.Mr.Samuel Rosser, your ship and your crew are all welcome under Her Majesty’s flag, if you so choose.Otherwise, another vessel will be appointed to you.”
My ears began to ring.I stared at my uncle, then down the length of the table to Solace.Not every face between the Admiral of the South Fleet and I was friendly, but more than I anticipated.
Solace met my gaze.I saw no apology, but no hostility, either.
This woman had stolen Mary from me, and yet now she sat down the table with, to all appearances, no remorse.She spoke benevolently, calmly, with no regard for the violation she had orchestrated.
She offered me the boon I had desired for long, torturous years, and, by her expression, she expected my gratitude.
A new commission.
“Captain Benedict Rosser, your hearing will proceed as anticipated,” Solace said.“But other concerns have been raised.Reports have been brought forward concerning other… questionable incidents during your career, all of which must be fairly investigated before your status can be decided.”
I could well imagine what kind of incidents those might be.
“Your admission that your magecraft was corrupted by the Black Tide Cult will join these matters… though perhaps it also explains many of them,” Admiral Solace added.Her gaze swept to me, knowledge there.“A corrupted Sooth or a Stormsinger is one matter, but a Magni, as we all well know, is another.None of us have forgotten Silvanus Lirr.”
Benedict stiffened.I seized his hand under the table.He tried to pull away, but I squeezed.
“We have been healed,” I stated, speaking before he could.“During the height of the Black Tide, the cult’s actions were rectified through methods we were able to learn during our time in Mere.”
“Why was this not shared with your report?Upon your return?”Admiral Rosser asked.
