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Colonel Stiet did not mince words "And if you had not waited to be ordered to report, things ht have been made clear much sooner, Cadet It will not look well on your records that you had to be su your information immediately after the incident"
He had not asked me a question, so I could not venture a reply My mouth was suddenly dry, and my heart hammered so loud I could hear it inno ht faint from terror I took a deep breath and steadied myself
"Well?" the colonel demanded of me, so suddenly that I jumped
"Sir?"
Stiet took in a deep breath through his nose "Your uncle, Lord Burvelle of the west, had to coe to ht Cadet Lieutenant Tiber was injured You are now here to tell us, completely and in your oords, exactly what you witnessed Proceed"
I took a deep breath and wished desperately for water "I was returning to my dormitory, Carneston House, fro toward us-"
"Stop there, Cadet! I think we all need to knohy you were out of your dor around the campus" Stiet’s voice was severe, as if I had tried to conceal so
"Yes, sir," I replied ain "Caulder Stiet came to Carneston House to summon Cadet Kester andho place The colonel nodded at me irritably, and I spoke on I tried to tellI spoke of the doctor’s words toI did not betray hi, his lips pinched flat When I spoke of hi Caulder home, and the boy’s response, Colonel Stiet scowled, and his scowl became deeper when I spoke of ht I was careful as I recounted all I had seen and heard when I found Tiber I dared one glance at hiht ahead, his face expressionless When I htly, but when I added Cadet Jaris, I saw Stiet start, as if surprised So his name had not been included in this, I decided I wished I could have seen Tiber’s face, but didn’t dare to look I wondered if he had known his attackers, and if he did, if he had volunteered or kept to himself their naeant Rufet had said Cadet Tiber was not a drinker I hoped I was not bringing any trouble down on the sergeant by doing so, but felt it was the only way I could cast doubt on Tiber’s drunkenness I had been meticulously careful to say only what I had observed and to make no mention of the conclusions I had drawn
When I was finished, Colonel Stiet let me stand some time in silence Then he shuffled so your father a letter, Cadet Burvelle, about this incident I will let hie you to beuntoward on the Acadeo"
There was only one possible response "Yes, sir" But as I began my salute, a man at the table said, "A moment Surely I can ask the boy a few questions if I wish?"
"I am not sure that would be appropriate, Lord Tiber"
"Damn what is appropriate, sir I’m after the truth here" The er at me "Cadet Do you think my son was drunk? Did you see hie? Do you know of any reason why he’d be carrying his schoolbooks with hiet drunk? Did the manner of the other cadets make you think they wished you would leave so they could finish what they had started?" His voice rose on every question I had heard of people "shaking in their boots" I was doing it now I think if the table had not been in the way, he would have advanced on round but it was difficult
"Lord Tiber! I must ask you to sit down Cadet Burvelle, you are dismissed Return to your classes"
"Damn it, Stiet, my son’s career is on the line here! The rest of his life I want the truth All of it"
"Your son’s career is in no danger, Lord Tiber If Burvelle had come forward i him from the Academy He is restored to the Acadeed from his record Does that satisfy you?"
"No!" the man roared "Justice would satisfy me Punishment for those who ambushed my boy and stole the journal of the abuses to new noble cadets that he had been keeping Cleaning out the corruption that you are allowing to spread through this institution would satisfy me"