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Valek moved next to the Commander I stood behind thehunted
I picturedto hear the sounds of pursuit Unable to blend into a town because a new face would alert the soldiers on patrol Bored soldiers whose only job was to watch, ere familiar with the town’s inhabitants
Every citizen of the Territory of Ixia had a specific job After the takeover, everyone had been appointed an occupation A citizen was allowed to move to a different town or Military District, but proper forms were required A completed transfer request needed approval fro held at the new address Without the proper docuhborhood was arrested Visiting other districts was acceptable, but again only as long as the proper papers were obtained and shown to the soldiers on arrival
While working in isolation with Brazell and Reyad, I had obsessively thought about escape Thinking of freedo on my life as a laboratory rat With no fah, the southern lands were uarded border
I had created elaborate fantasies of stealing away to Sitia, finding an adoptive fa in love Corny, sentimental rubbish, but it was an, estures and wares in iven the opportunity to escape, I don’t know if I would have seized it Although I re ofwithin the manor house The other lost children who had been taken in My sisters My brothers My children I learned with them, I played with them and I took care of the er until I tasted blood, and dragged hts back to the present I had escaped from Brazell He would leave the castle in teeks and return home, probably to the next round of experiments with a different laboratory rat My heart went out to her, whoever she was Brazell was brutal She was in for a rough ti my hand away from my mouth, I inspected the bite mark Not too deep, it wouldn’t scar I traced the network of seers and knuckles When I looked up, I caught Valek staring at my hands I laced them behind my back
The Commander raised his hand Quiet descended in an instant "Excellent points from both sides We will put your theories to the test Two tea to the two main debaters, the Commander said, "You’ll be the Captains Asseanize a plan of attack Recruit as needed Valek will supply a fugitive froht to prepare"
The noise level rose as the Commander headed toward his office with Valek and I close behind
Valek shut the office door,the co you?" he asked
The Commander frowned "Yes Sloppy work, that pursuit Marrok must have known you were in MD–8 You really need to train a couple of prot?g?s"
Valek looked at him in mock horror "But then I wouldn’t be indispensable"
A quick sering near the corner "Well, Valek, you were right about this one She survived your test" Then to me, he said, "Come here"
My feet obeyed despite my hysterical heart
"As my official food taster, you’re to report to ive you my daily itinerary and expect you to be present at each meal I will not accept tardiness Understand?"
"Yes, Sir"
He glanced at Valek "She looks fragile Are you sure she’s strong enough?"
"Yes, Sir"
The Coolden eyes tracked from me to Valek as he conte for an excuse to fire ht Since I missed lunch, Valek, you will join me for an early dinner Yelena, you start as "
"Yes, Sir," Valek and I said in unison We were disatherquarters, located in the central part of the castle As we traveled the ht areas of stone on the wall outnus e, colorless rooned as either offices or barracks
It occurred to me that the Commander’s functional style and stark standards had robbed the castle of its soul All that rened to purely utilitarian purposes
I was too young to remember what life was like before the takeover, but I had been taught in Brazell’s orphanage that the monarchy had been corrupt and its citizens unhappy The takeover had been just that; to call it a ould be inaccurate Most of the King’s soldiers had switched loyalty to the Cousted with promotions based on bribery and blood ties instead of hard work and skill Orders to kill people for ry caused sour feelings a the men