Past the training grounds, we arrive at a small, fenced area. Standing at opposite ends are the earthwielder and waterwielder. Both their energy signatures jolt when they see it’s me come to dole out their punishment. The earthwielder falls into a deep bow, her chin-length hair cascading around her face. The waterwielder follows, though his bow is stiff and shallow.
“I’ll speak to them separately,” I murmur to Sura. She nods, leaning against the gate, arms crossed over her chest.
I approach the earthwielder first. She wrings her hands together and stammers, “Commander. I mean, Your Majesty, I—”
“What’s your name?”
“Lavinya.”
“Tell me what happened, Lavinya.”
She crosses her arms, fixing a heated glare at the waterwielder watching us with narrowed eyes.
“I volunteered for the wielder exchange. But it isn’t anything like I expected. Ihateworking with him.” She jerks her chin toward the waterwielder. “They’re not like us. And he’s the worst. Always goading me. Instigating fights. He did again yesterday, and I lost my temper, and yes, I shouldn’t have, but Comm—sire, he’s insufferable. They all are. I just … I just want to return home.”
My neck prickles, but her words are a jumbled rush, and I can’t parse exactly where the lie is. Her energy signature thrums, cheeks flushed.
“Has he hurt you?” I ask quietly. “Alone?”
Her eyes widen, mouth gaping open. “No! No. Nothing like that. He’s a jackass, but he’s not a monster.”
Truth.
“Wait here.” I walk toward the waterwielder, whose spine somehow grows more rigid as I approach.
“Name?”
“Tarkin.” His voice is cold, icy eyes fixed on the woman behind me.
“What happened, Tarkin?”
When I say his name, his gaze cut toward me, assessing.
“I started the fight.” Pinpricks cascade down my spine. “She threw the first punch, but I provoked her.” Another lie.
Interesting.
“What about the last two altercations?”
“Can’t recall.” Lie.
“If you were me, what would you do?”
He blinks. “I’m not a king,sire. Surely, you can think of an appropriate punishment.”
“Do you find Lavinya difficult to work with? She volunteered for the wielder exchange, but if she’s not cooperating…”
Tarkin hesitates. “She’s stubborn and arrogant.” Truth. “I don’t know what her problem is.” Truth. “So yes, she’s extremely difficult to work with.”
“She’s asked to return to Arbinj.”
Tarkin works his jaw, energy signature pulsing rapidly. “Good. I’ll be glad to be rid of her.” Sharp pinpricks jab down my neck.
I’ve heard enough. With a jerk of my head, I gesture for Sura and Lavinya to come over.
“Fighting within the battalion,repeatedly, is a grave offense. And as such, your punishment will fit the nature of the grievance. You are both to depart for Tarka Island immediately, where you’ll remain for four weeks.”
A brief beat of silence, then all three of them speak at once.
