Carnen descended the stairs first with one of the group’s minders. The elder Imperial walked the younger one over to a man. The two men spoke quietly and Carnen’s father shook his head. Then with no further discussion, he ordered Carnen to kneel, then preceded to sheer large chunks of Carnen’s hair by the handful. Tine watched in wide-eyed horror as Carnen began to cry, his hair littering the floor where he knelt. So intently was he watching the interaction between Carnen and his father that he did not notice when the Imperial Guards sat at the table next to his table.

“Are you sure Zabrak has the right of the story?” one asked the others, “Chosen should not be capable of that level of… destruction.”

“I’m sure he does. It’s not like Zabrak to have his facts out of order, especially when it comes to such a serious charge.”

“I wonder what the other one is like,” one of them mused.

Tine felt the blood creeping to his cheeks.

“He must be big.”

“Or used a weapon.”

“Nah, if he used a weapon then Faben would not be so hard on the boy.”

“Well, we’ll find out soon enough. Zabrak should be bringing them down now.”

Tine stuffed his mouth with the last of the bread before it cooled any more and turned to watch the stairs. Sure enough, boys were beginning to come down. First came the Imperials, who went to greet their families. Then the Chosen followed. Each had dressed in his finest red tunic, white pants, and black boots. Those who had hair long enough to club back had done so, but most had been keeping their hair short. Tine unconsciously reached up to touch his hair. Bra-Neche had asked him to let it grow, so Tine had not cut it since they parted. When it was short, his hair was tightly curled, now it fell in waves down his back when it was unbound. Today, like most days, Tine had bound his hair, braiding the thickness into a rope that fell along his spine. He could not wait until he held Bra-Neche in his arms again, both of them with their hair unbound. Bra-Neche’s falling around them like a dark curtain and his clutched in Bra-Neche’s hands as they coupled.

A cough pulled him out of his daydream. “I see you managed to make your own way down this morning,” Zabrak said.

“Yes, Sir, I didn’t realize we were parting ways here. I thought we were going into the city.”

“Many of these boys do not live in the city. Some of them have never actually been to Saradaun.”

Tine looked around and noticed that the Chosen had joined their Imperials and families were drifting out of the Inn. The Imperial Guards had left their table and were milling around near the door. “Can I go now?”

“Where do you think to go?”

“To Bra-Neche, where else?”

Zabrak nodded and indicated the Imperial Guards. “Your escort is here, you may collect your things and they will take you where you need to go.”

“My escort?” Tine looked over at the Guards.

“Do you think we would let you wander the streets by yourself, Tine? You are now attached to the line of the Dragon Lord.”

“I see,” Tine said as he swallowed hard.

“Do you?”

Tine nodded. “What will happen to Carnen?”

Zabrak shrugged. “His grandfather has punished him. He will most likely be sent to the front to join his father. In time he will be allowed to have another chance to Choose.”

“And until then?”

“He is not a man.”

Tine could not explain the feelings the explanation gave him, but suddenly his stomach tightened and he wanted to vomit. “I should not have fought back.”

“You did what needed to be done, Tine. Carnen has always been bigger than his peers were and that caused him to get what he wanted most of the time. Remember, we send boys to the border schools to learn many lessons. Humility is but one that can be learned there. I think Carnen may have learned it well.”

Tine nodded and stood picking up his saddlebags as he did. He was glad he remembered to bring them down with him when he came. “Well, if I must have an escort…” he smiled and walked toward the nearest Guard.

Zabrak followed Tine, smiling at the boy’s spunk. The entire trip to Saradaun he had no trouble with Tine and only minimal trouble from the other boys, because all he had to do was point out that the young Dragon Lord’s Chosen was enduring the hardships, why could they not?

Tine walked past the waiting guardsmen and went out to where the wagon waited with the boy’s personal things. He did not have a lot, not nearly enough to fill the trunk he had been given to transport his belongings, even with the farewell gifts from his teachers and friends. His was the last trunk remaining.

“Come to claim it laddie?” the wagon driver asked.

“Yes, thank you, but I’m not sure where it should go yet.”

“Who’re you transporting with, I’ll let them know it’s yours,” the old man offered.

“Thank you,” Tine said as he pointed over in the direction of the guards, “I do believe they are my escort.”

The man laughed and headed over as Tine headed into the stables. His horse was there, saddled and waiting. He thanked the stable boy, and led the horse out after attaching and adjusting his saddlebags. It took but a moment to secure the beast to the hitching post alongside what he assumed to be the guard’s horses. The beasts stood several hands taller than his steed and were broader all over. After admiring the horseflesh, he headed over to where the guards waited.

Zabrak smiled and nodded his head slightly toward Tine as he approached. “This is Tine,” Zabrak said by way of introduction. “Tine, this is your escort. Bilav is in charge.”

Tine looked toward the Imperial Guard named Bilav, inclined his head, and smiled. “Thank you for taking the time to escort me today.”

“It is our duty and honor, Tine. Are you ready?”

“Well past ready,” Tine said with a smile.

“Then let’s ride,” Bilav said as the others headed toward their mounts. “I’ve arranged for your trunk to be delivered sometime today. Was there anything you required from it now?”

Tine shook his head.

“Then let’s go,” Bilav grinned.

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