Jolm did his best to direct students to activities away from Orn. To this end, he encouraged Adles to show the class the latest dances he had learned during his trip home. Dance was the Bode woman’s area, but it was still a noble pursuit. Jolm used the excuse to keep the class away from the card table Orn had chosen as his seat the day before.

I have to think of something soon, Jolm thought as he noticed the growing boredom among the class. He was doing his best to keep them safe, but this would only work for so long. He had to find a solution before he ran out of excesses to keep them away from the card tables. I have a couple days at best. It is only a matter of time before he attacks another student. Why could the headmaster not leave him with the peasants? At least then it would not matter if he hurt someone.

He noticed a few of the students watching him with concerned looks. He smiled and waived them off. I must find a way to solve this. I already asked so much of them when I asked them to intervene if he attacked me.

Jolm could still not understand why it had not worked. I antagonized him, and made sure we were out of sight. It should have been the perfect opportunity for him to attack me. I was unarmed and there were no obvious witnesses.

The thought of the boy drawing a blade was a very real possibility, so he had a few skilled and discrete students standing by. Even the little monster would know he could not best so many duelist and would have to back down. It was mostly a risk to Jolm as he was unarmed, and within arm’s reach.

Better me than the students here. They are the light of the kingdom, he thought and smiled as the boys worked to master the dance.

But he did never touched his weapon. Jolm had felt a fleeting hope that the headmaster’s threats might have some effect on the boy. He was even ready for the possibility. Sending him to stand with the servants would set the proper tone for the class. Not ideal, but it would have separated him for the others. It also would show he had been rendered harmless, and they need not be afraid of such a monster. He may even have learned it was his proper place.

But he had not learned anything. Jolm’s plans fell apart as the students waited until her was inside to reveal his teeth. He somehow knew about the others and hid his true nature. Worse, he manipulated the situation to make ME look like the aggressor if I pressed the issue. He is far more dangerous than I originally thought, which means I need a solution sooner rather than later.

…

{King’s City}

How fast can a man’s path change? Kranic wondered as he waited in the simple wood paneled office. The furnishings were simple and utilitarian. That was not to say they were not well made. Even he could tell these were made by those who’s paths took them to the pinnacle of their craft. But it simply felt less impressive when compared to the grand halls and waiting rooms of the palace it sat in.

Perhaps this means I will get the position, he allowed himself a moment of hope at the thought. He had staked his career on bringing in a rising noble family to the firm. The others in the firm had wasted no time to see him ousted when it was discovered the man had been condemned.

Kranic’s efforts to sway the firm’s leaders fell on deaf ears as they threw him out. No doubt they decided to make an example of me for trying to rise too fast. They belittled him then had the audacity to suggest he go back to handling the minor matters that came in. When he refused to eat the scraps form their table, he was asked to leave.

Years of work disappeared in an instant. He had scoffed at their plan to keep him as their lackey, and now they were punishing him for not falling in line. At least his dignity was left to him, though his funds were becoming a bit stretched. Expecting the payment for getting Burrach out of jail, he had made the initial payments on several items. Items that would be collected my notable trading firms if he did not find the rest of the money he needed soon.

He was at his lowest when the letter arrived, from a friend of Burrach. The letter said he learned of Kranic’s plight when he found out about Burrach’s exile. He offered his condolences that he could do little to aid Kranic save direct him to an open position in court. One he could get if he would only apply.

Any earlier and Kranic would have dismissed the letter as a bad joke or attempt to scam him. But the appearance of two rather large men knocking on his door, to remind him of payments coming due, made him willing to risk it. The initial response to the letter surprised him as he was quickly lead inside.

The task of determining admittance to the king’s hall was not normally work for someone of his path. But the letter implied the king’s steward wanted someone who would put the law before all else at the post. More importantly the letter said the King was willing to pay handsomely for someone who would do just that.

He heard the doorknob turn behind him and he stood quickly. He straightened his appearance as he turned to the door. If this is everything the letter said, I will owe Barron Whitefall a great deal.