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They’re above my pay grade.

M

* * *

He contained a snort. Typical. Accurate, but typical.

“We’ve come to discuss the release of the gnole Earstripe, who has been unjustly detained.”

“Ah. I had guessed that a Rat or two would be over, but I did not expect the lich-doctors to involve themselves.”

“I believe that you will find that there has been a grave misunderstanding,” said Piper.

“Perhaps we will,” said Commander Tamsin, folding his arms. “Nevertheless, it’s an internal guard matter. We police our own, and we do not countenance vigilantism.”

“Earstripe wasn’t in the guard. Mallory dismissed him,” said Galen. “He didn’t quit. He was made to leave, but he had enough of a sense of duty to try and stop Thomas from killing again.” He wanted to slam his fist on the table in frustration but he knew that it wouldn’t help.

“That runs counter to what is in the report, as I recall,” said Tamsin.

“Captain Mallory will speak to the truth of it,” said Stephen. “He was not consulted adequately in the matter.”

“Then it will doubtless be resolved once further investigation is made.”

Galen wanted to erupt at that, but Piper set his foot over the paladin’s and he contained himself. Piper leaned forward, elbows on Tamsin’s desk. “I fear that you may be laboring under a lack of information, Commander. Earstripe was grievously injured by the murderer and is at grave risk of relapse if he continues to languish in a jail cell. To keep him there would be inhumane.”

Tamsin looked unimpressed. “I am certain that adequate care will be provided if that is the case. We are not barbarians.”

No, because most barbarians have strong codes of honor around injured enemies, you smug bastard. Piper’s boot heel was grinding into his toes, and a good thing too.

You can take him, whispered the tide. It would be easy. You don’t even need the sword. Go over the table and knock his chair over, kneel on his chest, beat his head into the floor a few times. The easiest thing in the world.

“May I see the report?” asked Piper.

“It is, as I said, an internal matter.”

Piper’s gentle smile should have caused frost to form on Tamsin’s eyebrows. “Then if you would be so kind as to check the report and confirm the charges against Earstripe?”

“There are no official charges yet. He is merely being held securely until full inquiry is made.”

“Then you will be giving nothing official away.”

Galen could actually see Tamsin debating what would get them out of his office sooner. If it had just been the paladins, he likely would have ordered them out, but Piper was an unknown quantity. Lich-doctors worked with the guard, but were not under their jurisdiction.

Finally, the commander reached into his desk, thumbed through files, and removed a stack of paper. “Very well.” He ran his finger over the careful copperplate. “The report states that on the third of the month, Constable Earstripe left the city limits and went in pursuit of a criminal. He was not in hot pursuit at the time, and he was accompanied by a paladin of the dead saint, called Galen.” He glanced up at Galen. “I assume that’s you.”

Galen nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

“The suspect was located and Constable Earstripe took it upon himself to apprehend him, a struggle ensued, during which time Paladin Galen murdered the suspect. The body was left at the scene, and both returned to Archon’s Glory, where Earstripe made no attempt to contact his commander and inform him. Fortunately, Paladin Galen did make such a report, through civilian channels, where he emphasized that he was acting under the constable’s orders. As such, guards were dispatched to locate the body and Constable Earstripe has been remanded to custody until a full internal investigation can be conducted.”

“Of all the goddamn lies—"

Piper’s heel applied itself savagely to his shin and Galen shut his mouth with a snap. Tamsin’s careful lack of a smile managed to convey more than a broad grin would have.

“So there you have it,” said the commander. “The constable appointed himself judge and jury, and employed Paladin Galen as the executioner. While paladins are, of course, exempt from such charges while performing the work of the gods, I am afraid that those who serve the Saint of Steel exist in something of a gray area in that regard. Isn’t that right, Paladin Stephen?”

Over the desk, hands around his throat, move fast, he’s probably got a knife but if the chair goes over, he’ll waste a second off-balance…

Stephen, who had once been arrested for a berserker rage within the city, said, “The temples have upheld the right of the Saint of Steel’s chosen to act on their own discretion, subject to review by a triumvirate of representatives from the Dreaming God, the Lady of Grass, and the White Rat.”