Rebble nodded.
The sergeant detailed the last soldier to escort Rebble to the wagons beyond the camp. Before they drew out of earshot, Rebble turned and shouted, ‘The captain has lost his mind, Wareth! Just so you know!’
Scowling, the sergeant waved Wareth into the corridor.
‘You do not argue his opinion,’ Wareth said as they approached the office.
Saying nothing, the man opened the door and gestured.
‘Alone?’ Wareth asked.
‘The captain elects privacy in this,’ the sergeant said, ‘as is his privilege. Go in now, Wareth.’
But the miner hesitated, eyes narrowing on the man. ‘Did we once know each other?’
‘No, but your name is known to us all. The Hust Legion’s lone blot of shame.’
From within the office, the captain spoke. ‘That’s enough, sergeant. Wait outside.’
‘Sir,’ the man replied.
And if shame was the only blot, we could do away with swords. And war. And punishment, for that matter. We would guard ourselves against the crime of failing oneself, and feel only pity – like Rebble – for those who fell.
Wareth walked into the overseer’s office. Looking round for a moment, he saw a clerk’s abode, which made somewhat pathetic the hatred the prisoners had heaped on the overseer. Then he looked down at the man seated behind the desk. It was a moment before he could pierce the ebon skin and see the features. Galar Baras.
The captain looked distracted, perhaps even irritated. He moved a hand, encompassing the room. ‘Not much different from my own. Well, the one I had in Kharkanas. Needless to say, the similarity has soured my mood.’
Wareth remained silent.
Sighing, Galar Baras went on, ‘Rebble claimed it was his idea. Breaking open the shed. But I saw you speak to him in the moment before. I think it was your idea, Wareth.’
‘And this is an important distinction, sir?’
‘It is. So, tell me the truth of it.’
‘The idea was Rebble’s, sir. As he told you.’
The captain slowly leaned back in the chair. ‘I understand you want to return to the pit. Will you work alone, then?’
‘You cannot take these men and women for the Hust, sir. You cannot.’
‘So everyone keeps telling me.’
‘Is this by Commander Toras Redone’s order, sir? You’ve seen us. Go back and tell her it’s a mistake.’
‘The disposition of the commander is not your concern, Wareth. Right now, I am your only concern.’
‘Do not execute me, sir. It’s been nine years, damn you!’
Galar Baras blinked. ‘That notion had not even occurred to me, Wareth. All right, you turned and fled. You probably had your reasons, but that was long ago.’
‘Nothing has changed, sir.’
‘You stood between the men and the women down there. You were the first to do so. I was looking for leaders. Natural leaders. Ones with honour.’
Wareth laughed. It was a hard, bitter laugh. ‘And I stepped to the fore! Oh, you poor man.’
‘At least we can share the chagrin,’ Galar Baras said, smiling.