Varsis was angered. Of late, said emotion often could be said to be his avatar, but on this day, it was more than that. Anger was him.

Varsis stared at Captain Sari, who had brought the news to his personal tent.

“You tell me,” Varsis breathed, “that the bird is gone?”

Next to Captain Sari stood one of the owl handlers, a man by the name of Tak Rasi. Tak Rasi wore simple black garb. Also, on his face, Tak Rasi now wore a look of terror.

“Let us review the situation,” said Varsis. “Rather slowly, as this night is an unbusy one, and I have no other pressing matters to attend to. First,” Varsis ticked off on one of his flesh fingers, “I order an owl be sent out to spy for any travelers who might be Mai, and her friends, under the incredible possibility that they might somehow be alive.”

Varsis ticked off a second finger. “Then,” he said, the owl returns with the information that those who looked like Mai, her mysterious warrior, and the third.”

Captain Sari interrupted. “We do have names now,” he said. “Under interrogation, Priest-Lord Ralad of the Holy Citadel said that the third’s name was Ishad, and he is a former monk, and Mai’s lover. Priest-Lord Ralad also said that the mysterious warrior called himself Broken, though he knew no more.”

“Clearly,” said Varsis, “you tend to repeat information when you are nervous. And I despise nothing more than those who waste time. This is the third time I have heard that information, and the second time from you. Shut up!”

“I…I simply was not sure if you remembered, sir,” said Sari. “You weren’t using the names.”

“I remember everything that matters,” said Varsis. “Now, shut up!” He raised his steel hand a slight bit, threateningly.

And this time, Captain Sari quailed, took a step back.

Varsis gave a small smile. “Thirdly,” he said, “when the owl returned with said information, instead of bringing said information to me, without my knowledge, the bird is sent back for a second day of observation, to confirm.” Varsis ticked off another finger. “And fourthly, said bird fails to return again. Now, why do you think that is?”

“The bird could have run into a problem,” said the owl handler, outstretching his hands, plaintively. “Darken was a female. Maybe…”

“Do you know what I know, Tak Rasi?” Varsis asked the owl handler. “I know exactly what our Great Black Owls can do. I have seen the tests. Great Black Owls can rip dogs to shreds with their talons, are unaffected by sunlight, and are very intelligent. The owl you so affectionately call Darken did not run afoul of some forest predator. She has simply left us.”

“I cannot see any other explanation, general,” said Tak Rasi. “The owls must return to a handler every seven days, to commune, else they die. They know this. That is what keeps them in check. Darken would not be gone this long from us willingly.”

“Natural conditions did not do this,” said Varsis. “And it seems, according to your belayed report, that Mai, Broken, and Ishad did somehow survive the collapse of a building around them. So…”

“I would have given the report sooner,” said Tak Rasi, but given as there was good cause to believe the targets dead and all, I thought it would be best to confirm that the targets Darken found were actually the targets you were looking for. And I still don’t think…”

“They are alive,” said Varsis. “The bird’s findings, combined with the fact that their carriage, and two of their horses went missing soon enough, gives me due cause to believe they survived. And if they survived, I think it highly likely the bird’s disappearance was their doing. The former monk could not identify the owl for what it was, as he simply does not have the skills. Likewise for the Princess. But the one who calls himself Broken, he is a quandary. I have heard much about his skills, enough to know he is no ordinary fighter. He repulsed me for a moment in the hallway, enough for me to know he is an excellent fighter. And now, he shows this new talent.” Varsis paused. “Tell me, Tak, how could someone know the bird for what it was?”

“Well,” said Tak Rasi,” they would have to be familiar with local fauna, and see that the owl did not fit. But then, if what you are implying is true, this Broken would have to manage to kill Darken, and Great Black Owls don’t die easily, and they know when to flee.”

“I see you have answered what would have been my next question,” said Varsis. “Well done.” He sat down into a comfortable chair, looking up at Captain Sari, and Tak Rasi, who he now had to look up to.

Neither of them seemed to take Varsis sitting down as a good sign. “I’m sorry, General,” said Sari. “You told me to handle this for you, and so I failed. I never even learned that the bird had seen anything of note until today.”

“And so,” said Varsis, “I realize this in not your fault.” His anger was more in control now, but only because he saw the endgame of his play. “I also see that the mystery of what exactly happened to the owl Darken, besides the fact Broken dealt with it, will have to be solved another day.”

Tak Rasi saw where Varsis’ dialogue was headed. As Captain Sari edged to stand beside Varsis, instead of at his front, Tak said, “It’s not my fault, General. It’s not!”

Varsis focused his gaze on Tak Rasi. “Explain,” he said calmly.

Tak Rasi stuttered, and in the end, came up with nothing. Just as Varsis had known he would.

“I see,” said Varsis. “Your argument was not very convincing. There are three other handlers besides you, for what was once eight, and is now seven reconnaissance birds. They admitted you were always the least qualified amongst them. You will not be missed.”

“I will not be missed?” repeated Tak Rasi. “What does that mean? What are you going to do?”

“I have not executed a subordinate for gross incompetence in a long time,” said Varsis. “A very long time. In almost all circumstances, I do not feel that said action is appropriate.” Varsis turned to Captain Sari. “Did you make it clear that he was to report to you the second the bird found something?”

“Yes,” said Sari.

Varsis turned back to the bird handler, who was frozen in place by fear. “Your death will be a lesson,” he said. “You failed to report crucial information, and then lost your bird. Your death will be motivation for others.”

“I’m sorry,” said Tak Rasi, falling to his knees as Varsis stood, and approached him.

Varsis remembered the last time he had executed a man for gross misconduct. That man, through cowardness, had caused the deaths of twenty, had had been given an opportunity to rectify his mistake, and instead, had chosen the coward’s way out, and had doomed forty-one more soldiers. Sixty-one, in total.

That man had deserved to die.

But did Tak Rasi?

All Tak Rasi had done was loose a bird, and failed to report promptly. Was that really equal to sixty-one dead?

Varsis knew that his grandfather, Oneako, would tell him to show mercy. Oneako would say that Varsis cared so much about the location of Mai, because he was following a personal vendetta. Because he was angry at his mother Hisa, and the rest of the Council of the Makini, for lying to him about their pursuit of Maiako as Arathou del Tachen.

Oneako, if he were here right now, Varsis knew would extol the virtues of calm, of reasoned thought.

But then Varsis reasoned. Tak Rasi had failed his only duty. He was not a soldier, he did not have to fight. All he had to do was take care of owls, and report their findings. He had failed in both his tasks. And Tak Rasi could not be discharged from service. He knew too much of Makini secrets.

Tak Rasi had failed.

Varsis knew what he had to do. He was no longer happy about the task, but as he approached the man begging on the ground, Varsis knew he was doing what had to be done.

Tak Rasi’s hands were clasped together.

“Pray I send you to Elysium,” said Varsis.

Then he reached down, and snapped Tak Rasi’s neck.

Oddly, there was not the slightest feeling of satisfaction.