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His words hit ut “But ue with his king

“The team has lost confidence in you” Zander’s voice is even, but it sends chills into ood reason I should not remove you?”

In my mind, I replay the cries of the crew and then their quick response Luckily, the accident–as they go–was minor compared to what could have happened But I didn’t miss the expressions on their faces afterward

I blink and aze My voice is dull “No I cannot”

“Captain Rhob will take over, effective immediately You will spend the necessary time to brief him Then ill find you a position that better suits your talents”

“Understood” I keep ret lick my skin

The king regards me “We have no time for your deviations from protocol, Khrys”

“Yes, my lord I will do better”

“See that you do” He looks at me for a second “You are dismissed” He turns to his assistant, perhaps because he is truly busy but possibly to teach ard–which is clearly as low as a Zandian can fall

I stride fro my impulsivity “Veck, veck, veck!” I stop and punch a tree, shredding the purple skin onlines of blood to well up “Veck it all”

Honor is everything to a Zandian warrior, and I just lost as re of mine

I wipe the blood onsun My hand throbs, and I welco ar a stupid idiot

“You all right?” My friend Gabin stands a few feet away, perhaps cautious about approaching me in such a wild and unpredictable state

I don’t look at him “You heard”

“I did” He shifts; I hear gravel crunch under his boots “The creill forgive you They already have”