sense Vaclyn's acts made. A good commander praised effective subordinates, both to their faces and in reports to superiorshen took a small share of the credit for their initiative and accomplishments. "Why did you do that" "The majer said he needed to get the captain to disobey orders one more time, that Captain Mykel was always so careful not to disobey when anyone was watching." "Did you think this was the right thing to do" "No, sir... but what was I to do I only need another two years for a stipend. The majer could have dismissed me without anyone stopping him. Eighteen years ... gone for nothing." "Your stipend was worth the lives of two men" Jiosyr stiffened. "Sir. I've killed Reillies and bandits and brigands. I did it because I was a Cadmian. I did it to protect people. There wasn't anyone protecting me. I'd let it be known, as I could, that the majer shouldn't be in the field. I even made copies of reports Colonel Herolt never would have seen, and I got them on the colonel's desk. No one did anything." The sudden stiffening and the aura of truth were both almost overpowering, even to Dainyl. "No one did anything," Jiosyr repeated. "That's the truth, sir." Dainyl paused. "That will be all for now, Jiosyr. I'd appreciate it if you'd remain within the compound." "Yes, sir." The squad leader paused. "What will you... do with me" "That depends on what else I discover." After Jiosyr left, Dainyl considered what else was necessary. He needed to question Captain Mykeln far greater depthnce the captain was feeling better. He still had to talk to all of the other officers. None of them would know anything about why Majer Vaclyn had acted as he had. Of that, Dainyl was most certain, but he had to go through the motions. He stepped out of the study, looking for Herryf. Nearly three glasses later, after Captain Rhystan of Sixteenth Company had left the study that had been Herryf's, Dainyl knew little more than when he startedxcept that Majer Vaclyn had barely been marginally competent before the Third Battalion had been deployed to Dramur. Even more puzzling was that all of the battalion's surviving captains would have done better if they had been in command. Was the marshal out to discredit the Cadmians Why What purpose would that serve In the dimness of the study, Dainyl looked at the stone outer wall and then at the darkness beyond the single window. He still had no more answersnly more questions.
