Hierarchy (Book Four of the Torrent Skies Saga)

Chapter Twenty-Nine: An Evening In

Katerin had disenchanted fifty-six soldiers. A paltry number compared to those who had died, and those who had taken the order to retreat, and she had not quite saved them. Hearing Risage's plans for them had sparked an anger and in her exhaustion, she strode toward Risage's chambers, determinedly. Brazen and Agrata were behind her, almost jogging to keep up. The injuries she had sustained had already been healed, though her arm throbbed at the wrist, clenched as her fists were. She had not told either of her companions about Kryrial. They would likely tell her to leave the city, but she was tired of being afraid, and she had no reason to scare them. She could tell them later. Fykes would not be pleased.

"Katerin, calm is likely the best way to approach her," Agrata said.

"Why allow me to try to save them only to execute men who had no hand in—"

Brazen grabbed her arm, pulling her to a stop in the hallway. "You don't know that, yet. We don't know."

Katerin's hands shook, and Agrata gave a warning glance. He took a deep breath, and she emulated him.

After a silent moment of searching for composure, she nodded. "I still have to speak to her about it."

Knocking on Risage's chamber door, she waited patiently as she could, until Risage opened it. The elf ushered her and her companions in without a word, her mouth in a tight line.

"You're here to talk about the soldiers, aren't you?" Risage gestured tiredly to the seats in the room.

"I heard you plan to have them executed." Katerin did not feel like sitting.

Risage's eyes hardened, and she met Katerin's gaze without a hint of trepidation. "Tried, Katerin. I plan to have them tried. They attacked my city. It was not the other way around."

"Unknowingly, and without choice." Katerin did not keep the harshness from her tone. She had put so much work into proving her point, she did not want Risage's concerns to ruin all her hopes for the soldiers.

"Maybe it won't happen again if I make an example." The corner of Risage's eyes tightened, showing a hint of wrinkles there.

Katerin watched Agrata twitch ever so slightly behind her. "An example of honest, and terrified men, who did not even have a chance to dispute the order, until now? You would kill innocents, for the actions of your enemy? Have them pay for Kryrial's misdoings? Do you think he cares?"

"I know he cares for you. My generals reported multiple attempts for your capture."

"Failed attempts, lady Risage," Agrata said, somehow—disheveled as he was—looking almost gentlemen like.

"He's not the subject," Katerin said, sternly. "I'm asking for time with the soldiers. I need to study them, how the magic interacts with them, and how their blood is being used against them. So far as I know, killing them will only hasten how quickly Kryrial's Reclaimer awakens, Risage." She wanted to say how she could not stand for the execution of innocent men, but she bit her tongue. Risage enjoyed testing peoples morals and their limits, and she refused to give her the opportunity in this case. Cold facts about purpose would have to be enough.

"When you put your anger away, you do speak with some sense," Risage said, and then silence filled the chamber. "They are easier to study, alive, then? The mark is a curse? Why not gather one who is still cursed for such study?"

Katerin bit her tongue, feeling chilled and tense. She had a thousand thoughts to buffer Risage's ideas, but no fair way to voice them.

Brazen's feet shuffled before Risage spoke again. He looked like he wanted to say something, but he never voiced it.