To Rhial

48

Tells

"Captain Zev!" I hurried down the halls near Simira's study, stumbling to keep the stack of legal planks from toppling to the floor. "I've more orders to be declared!"

He exasperatedly reared around like he'd been looking for me. "Tells, I understand the necessity of these legal declarations, but has she answered why she will not speak with me?!"

I sighed. "She's not letting me in either except to receive orders."

"Can not one wait?! How many more will there be?! Surely the stability of this house is of the utmost importance, which is what I wish to discuss."

"Last I saw of her, she was sitting at her desk writing in a frenzy."

"Are you implying she has gone mad?"

"I'm saying what I saw!" My temper was starting to flare because he wouldn't back off of asking dumb questions.

"You should have more respect for her and myself, Tells."

This fuckin' guy just loves picking out every minute thing I do wrong and it's the most annoying thing ever.

"What's your fucking issue with me?!"

Zev's tone was quick and snappy. "I have no issue with you other than your disregard for respect."

"I'm respectful to everyone here! But you get on my back and pester me for no reason every time I talk to you! I'm telling you what I know! What do you want from me?!"

"If you respected me, you would have told me about this scheme!"

"She specifically told me not to tell anyone about it!"

"You do not see the issue clearly."

"Then enlighten me! What's the issue?!"

At least back home when I was coding some bullshit, I could punch a wall or squeeze a stress ball to death. This guy is like a walking run of bad code because he doesn't understand a bloody fuckin' thing I try to input to thick skull.

"You actively engaged in conspiracy against a sitting Viscount. Had anything gone wrong, you and the Lady would have been executed!"

"That's why I didn't say anything!"

"That's not the point! How many times do I have to say it?!" Zev was turning purple in the face like an angry plum. "You should have counseled her! Tried to convince her to take more legitimate avenues!"

"It was a trial in front of the Count! There's a legal paper! Seems pretty legit to me!"

"Sweet Eyes and Ears, is there a brain in your head?! Conspiring with an outside Viscount! Espionage that caused the death of Rezyn! If she had been caught at any point in this, she would have been killed! She is bold and unafraid, and I respect that about her. But if you are not intelligent enough to offer her counsel, then you have no right to serve so closely to her!"

"I did! I helped where I could! I don't know how law works here, man! Are you just mad that I was in on this plan instead of you?!"

"Yes! If I had been a part of it, there would not have been an impromptu execution of her father! Her brother would not have renounced his name before the people who are supposed to respect and serve this family! This is how dissent is perpetuated! We are incredibly lucky for the people's love of her."

"Then you should have said something to her earlier!"

Zev's eyes went beyond wide with that one. They looked like they were about to pop out of his head. "What?! What am I supposed to say to that?! I couldn't have known to say anything!"