Post by Seek on Apr 5, 2015 19:16:54 GMT 10
Series: The Drowned and the Saved
Title: Dossiers
Rating: PG
Event: 500 Word Dash
Competition: Decathlon
Words: 500 words
Summary: After Bronau attempts to kidnap Dunevon, the regents start looking for a new Captain of the King's Guard.
-
Rubinyan examined the dossiers spread out on the teak desk. At least between Topabaw and the palace clerks handling the service records, they had very thorough information about almost everyone living and working at the palace. The problem, he thought sourly, was that competence tended to come with ambition and that was something they didn't need.
He only realised that Imajane had come into his study when she said, "What's wrong with Wistan?"
So the news was spreading that Wistan Duipang, former Captain of the King’s Guard, had been made an Example of, by the harbour mouth. "Much, my dear," he replied, looking up at her. "He let the King's Guard go to seed. Bronau nearly kidnapped Dunevon, and we really don't need need more of that kind of that excitement."
He flipped idly through the dossiers; felt his wife come over and peer over his shoulder. Finally, she said, "This one."
"Taybur Sibigat?" He asked. He tapped his fingers against the polished surface of the desk, thinking. Imajane was brilliant sometimes, he thought, and other times, she thought in ways typical of a Rittevon. That thought was something he had never given voice to, and likely never would. "I remember him. The guardsman made to run three laps around the entire palace for impertinence." Something to do with an ill-advised remark on palace security, he recalled.
"He's a sergeant now," Imajane said. "Your reports say his squad receives consistent commendations. That makes him clever and thorough."
"Dohari Koraw is a Captain," Rubinyan pointed out, naming one of the candidates he’d been considering. "They don’t promote the Rittevon Guard based on charity.”
"Really," said Imajane, sweetly. "Then how do you explain Wistan?" She often did that; switching positions without warning. There it was—the underlying hint of Rittevon insanity. He played uncomfortably with the amethyst ring on his middle finger. Sometimes, she reminded him too much of Oron. It was like gazing, thought Rubinyan, into the sun. Too much could blind a man. Sometimes, the sun destroyed crops. Other times, it gave life.
He leafed idly through the dossier. “Topabaw’s agents speak highly of him,” he observed. “Says that Sibigat cleared counter-spycraft training without any difficulties. Being meticulous about small details apparently helps there.”
“There you have it,” Imajane said, shrugging. “Besides,” she said, ice-blue eyes narrowing, “He’s the third son of the old baron in the Imahyn highlands. Baron Sibigat owns Asawang, nothing else. He’s a political non-entity, which means this Sibigat will be appropriately grateful for being appointed to such a high position and he’ll be very much aware that he can’t expect to go any further.”
Rubinyan thought about it. “Our king’s health,” he said slowly, “Is, after all, the most important thing. We need someone patient and dedicated. Someone who wouldn’t be distracted by thoughts of his own advancement.”
Imajane’s grin was both vicious and victorious. “Shall I send for Sergeant Sibigat, then?”
“He seems,” said Rubinyan, ironically, “To be the best man for the job.”
Title: Dossiers
Rating: PG
Event: 500 Word Dash
Competition: Decathlon
Words: 500 words
Summary: After Bronau attempts to kidnap Dunevon, the regents start looking for a new Captain of the King's Guard.
-
Rubinyan examined the dossiers spread out on the teak desk. At least between Topabaw and the palace clerks handling the service records, they had very thorough information about almost everyone living and working at the palace. The problem, he thought sourly, was that competence tended to come with ambition and that was something they didn't need.
He only realised that Imajane had come into his study when she said, "What's wrong with Wistan?"
So the news was spreading that Wistan Duipang, former Captain of the King’s Guard, had been made an Example of, by the harbour mouth. "Much, my dear," he replied, looking up at her. "He let the King's Guard go to seed. Bronau nearly kidnapped Dunevon, and we really don't need need more of that kind of that excitement."
He flipped idly through the dossiers; felt his wife come over and peer over his shoulder. Finally, she said, "This one."
"Taybur Sibigat?" He asked. He tapped his fingers against the polished surface of the desk, thinking. Imajane was brilliant sometimes, he thought, and other times, she thought in ways typical of a Rittevon. That thought was something he had never given voice to, and likely never would. "I remember him. The guardsman made to run three laps around the entire palace for impertinence." Something to do with an ill-advised remark on palace security, he recalled.
"He's a sergeant now," Imajane said. "Your reports say his squad receives consistent commendations. That makes him clever and thorough."
"Dohari Koraw is a Captain," Rubinyan pointed out, naming one of the candidates he’d been considering. "They don’t promote the Rittevon Guard based on charity.”
"Really," said Imajane, sweetly. "Then how do you explain Wistan?" She often did that; switching positions without warning. There it was—the underlying hint of Rittevon insanity. He played uncomfortably with the amethyst ring on his middle finger. Sometimes, she reminded him too much of Oron. It was like gazing, thought Rubinyan, into the sun. Too much could blind a man. Sometimes, the sun destroyed crops. Other times, it gave life.
He leafed idly through the dossier. “Topabaw’s agents speak highly of him,” he observed. “Says that Sibigat cleared counter-spycraft training without any difficulties. Being meticulous about small details apparently helps there.”
“There you have it,” Imajane said, shrugging. “Besides,” she said, ice-blue eyes narrowing, “He’s the third son of the old baron in the Imahyn highlands. Baron Sibigat owns Asawang, nothing else. He’s a political non-entity, which means this Sibigat will be appropriately grateful for being appointed to such a high position and he’ll be very much aware that he can’t expect to go any further.”
Rubinyan thought about it. “Our king’s health,” he said slowly, “Is, after all, the most important thing. We need someone patient and dedicated. Someone who wouldn’t be distracted by thoughts of his own advancement.”
Imajane’s grin was both vicious and victorious. “Shall I send for Sergeant Sibigat, then?”
“He seems,” said Rubinyan, ironically, “To be the best man for the job.”