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"I will always have the time where our cavalla is concerned"

"And where your son is concerned, I suppose" Colonel Stiet smiled narrowly

My father’s expression was cal’s cavalla I trust that if I concern myself with the best interest of the cavalla, the cavalla will, as it always has, look after its own"

There was a moment of silence "Indeed," said Colonel Stiet, and that was not the affirmation of fellowship I had hoped for, nor did I think his lukewarm response pleased my father

Caulder Stiet reentered the room quietly, to stand at parade rest behind his father’s shoulder He had not made a sound, and yet Colonel Stiet seemed i toward him "Show Cadet Burvelle to his quarters Let my secretary know that I will be occupied for a short tirounds"

"Sir," the boy agreed, and then turned to esture invited me to precede him from the room Outside Colonel Stiet’s office, we paused while Caulder passed on the colonel’sand sorting a large stack of envelopes on his desk I wondered briefly if it bothered him that his commands were passed on to him by a mere boy

I followed Caulder as he led rounds of the Acaderoomed footpaths The boy was silent and walked swiftly, but lanced back at me once, but the sunny friendliness had left his face He was all business now

HeThere were several dorround Tere of new red brick with ray stone, and had obviously been adapted to function as dormitories Caulder led ht hooks still attached to the upper story, I guessed that they had begun their existence as warehouses I followed him up the worn steps

A wide door ads decorated the paneled walls In the center of the rooeant in cavalla uniform sat behind a polished desk Before him was a spotless blotter, inkpot and pen stand, and a sheaf of paper Behind hi The sergeant regarded us steadily as Caulder approached hiray eyes; rather he reiven yet another task

"Cadet Nevare Burvelle for you, Sergeant Rufet He’s a new noble’s soldier son He is to be billeted on the fourth floor"

Sergeant Rufet’s gaze slid past the boy to meet my eyes "Are you a mute, Cadet?" he asked hter "No, Sergeant, I aest that you report in for yourself, Cadet Unless you plan to keep your little friend at your side for your entire Academy career"

A flush heated eant Rufet"

"Very good Now, let ers traveled down the list before hiht hand had only half a thumb "Ah Yes I believe your trunk was already delivered" He lifted his eyes fro up more than your share of space in the quarters you’ll be sharing Fourth floor First door to the left Your trunk is at the foot of the bed assigned to you See that you move your necessary possessions to your allocated space, and then place the trunk and all unnecessary ite from the quartermaster after that, and make your space tidy Meals commence five minutes after the bell sounds and are served in the mess You will march there with your patrol Be on tio without a meal Any questions?"

"Where do I find the quartereant Rufet?"

"Down that hall, second door on the right"

Atignored I wondered if the sergeant disliked the boy or if his rudeness was sieant barked at me, and I realized I had not responded to hieant Thank you"

"You’re dismissed then" He lowered his eyes back to his papers

"Am I dismissed also?" Caulder asked His tone was snide, as if he wished to provoke a response froeant