“No more than expected, Your Majesty.” General Travor stepped closer to the dais. He glanced at the other two officers. “I came to warn you that there may be riots, and to advise Commander Rongru to increase the number of guards on duty at the palace.”
“I understand.” The King nodded. “But this must be done, or the city will crumble. Your soldiers are escorting the Talons, correct?”
“Yes, Sire. More and more people are fighting to keep their belongings. More often than not, a family has to be removed from their home and restrained while our people search for infected items.”
“They must stay calm and explain to the citizens that those items are a risk to their lives and the city. I don't want my people terrorized over this. The revealing reagent made by Master Sevarin shows the infection. Perhaps if people see proof of infection, they might understand.”
“People don't want to believe it, even with the proof of the reagent. I'm hoping you will make an announcement.”
“If you think it will help, yes, of course.”
“Shall I post the notice?”
“No, I'll make the announcement from the sky.”
“Sire?” The General's eyes went wide.
“It's the surest way for everyone to hear me at once.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I'll warn my soldiers.” He stepped back and started speaking softly with the Talon Captain.
“Sire.” A Shanba courtier stepped forward. “My people are already wary of living in cities. Soldiers coming into their homes and taking whatever they want is frightening them. Many families are on the verge of leaving.”
“Taking whatever they want?” I stepped forward. “Are you implying that the soldiers are stealing items that aren't infected?”
The Dragon King cleared his throat.
I bowed to him. “My apologies, Your Majesty. It startled me, and I required clarification.”
“As do I.” The King slid his narrowed gaze from me to the courtier. “Is that what you're saying, Lord Ressan?”
The man lifted his antlered head. “Yes, Your Majesty.” As people gasped and the Captain and General glared, he went on. “The soldiers and officers are using this as an excuse to steal valuables with impunity. They're especially abusing my people because we are so peaceful. The Shanba won't stand up to the abuse. They'll just leave, Sire.”
“I will not stand for such accusations!” Captain Faden stepped up beside the courtier.
The Shanba man shrank back.
“I will not stand for the abuse of my citizens!” the King roared as he stood up. “Nor for blustering threats against my esteemed courtiers!”
Captain Faden backed away, his eyes huge. “Sire, it's a lie. My men would never steal.”
“Do not call me a liar!” Lord Ressan showed surprising courage to stand up to the Captain. Perhaps that was why his people had chosen him to represent them. Of course, it helped that he knew the King was on his side.
The King stormed down the dais steps. “You cannot know the hearts of the entire Talon Force, Captain. There is good and bad in all of us. Situations like this bring out a person's true nature.” The King swiveled his head to look at the General. “What say you, General? Do you feel the same as the Captain?”
The General held his hands up. “I do not, Your Majesty. I know people, even good people, can succumb to temptation. And I'm not surprised there has been an abuse of power. The problem is, how do I prove who the thieves are?”
The King stretched his neck. “We don't have the time for this. But I can't ignore such abuse coming from those who are supposed to protect my people.”
I stepped forward and cleared my throat.
The King looked at me. “Master Alchemist, do you have anything to add?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I suggest you select a team of people you can trust to perform an audit. If you choose people who are not horns or talons, they will not affect the clearing. Perhaps a group containing representatives from each race? Men and women with their people’s best interests in mind. With a racial mix, they can watch each other and ensure no wrongdoing. Send them to the homes of the people who have made claims of theft and have them compile lists of stolen items that were not made with resonant enchantment loops. Then the auditors will haveto search the homes of every soldier and talon involved in the clearing. If they find the stolen items, it will be proof of guilt.”
“Every talon involved?” The Captain strode over to me. “Do you know how many homes we'd have to search?”
“Those homes would need to be searched for items with resonant enchantment loops anyway.” I raised an eyebrow at the Captain. “And your people wouldn't be doing the searching. So why would that bother you, Captain?”
