The Broken Halo

The recording crystal went dark.

For several seconds, nobody moved.

The guard commander stared at the sealed record before him, and his broad chest rose and fell beneath his armour. The anger in his eyes had settled, but it had not disappeared. It had simply changed from something hot and violent into something colder.

He gathered the metal sheets with more force than necessary and rose from his chair.

"My part in this is finished."

His voice was directed at the room, but his gaze remained on Korran.

Korran leaned back slightly.

"Then you may leave, Guard Commander Tarvak."

The commander’s jaw tightened.

"You enjoyed that."

Sonya tilted her head with a baffled expression, and Simon eye’s flashed with an intrigued light.

Korran’s expression did not change despite the coldness in Tarvak’s tone and eyes.

"I enjoyed nothing."

"You knew what she was doing." Tarvak gestured sharply toward Sonya. "You could have stopped her before she turned an official statement into a mockery."

"And you could have refused to answer. Don’t blame me for your incompetence."

The response came without emotion.

A vein appeared beside Tarvak’s temple.

"You remained silent because you wanted this recorded."

Korran glanced toward the dark crystal.

"You threatened a witness, lost control of your demonic energy, and nearly attacked her while the formation was recording."

His eyes returned to the commander, and they were stoic and cold like the depths of a frozen sea.

"Am I really to blame for all of these?"

The commander’s fingers curled.

Simon could tell that his anger was no longer directed solely at Sonya. He had realized that Korran had allowed the situation to continue because the outcome benefited him.

"You think this changes anything?" Tarvak asked.

"No."

Korran’s tone remained indifferent.

"But you clearly believe it does."

Tarval stared at him for several tense breaths. Then he snatched the completed record from the table and turned toward the reinforced door.

"Do not expect the city guards to forget this."

Korran did not bother looking at him.

"The city guards should be more concerned about the Black Banner nest that remained beneath one of their streets."

Tarvak’s steps stopped.

His back stiffened, but he did not turn around. A moment later, he opened the door and strode out of the room.

BANG!

The door slammed behind him.

Sonya waited until his footsteps faded before releasing a quiet laugh.

"He really does not like this Honourable."

Simon gave her a flat look.

"At this rate, nobody is going to like you."

Her smile widened, and she patted Simon’s back.

"Don’t worry. As long as Master, that oaf, and you little kitty are with me, I’m all good."

’Master?’

Korran could not help but raise a brow, and he also looked at Simon strangely after realizing that he was being called Little Kitty by Sonya.

A few seconds later, he cleared his throat and looked directly at Simon.

"Are you curious why I stayed quiet?"

Simon met his gaze.

"Yes."

There was little reason to pretend otherwise, especially when Korran brought it up.

Korran rested one hand on the table.

"The answer is politics."

Sonya made a disappointed sound.

"Oh damn. That is less interesting than I expected."

Korran gave a short and low chuckle.

"It usually is."

He glanced toward the door through which the Tarvak had left.

"The current Branch Commander will not remain in his position forever. When his seat becomes vacant, one of the three Vice Commanders will most likely replace him."

"And all three of you want it," Simon said.

Korran gave a small nod.

"Ambition is not a crime," He said before explaining to Simon and Sonya what the politics was.

The commander of Velmora’s guards supported one of Korran’s rivals within Black Horn. His guards provided information, manpower and influence throughout the city, while the Vice Commander he supported protected his interests inside the Office.

The arrangement benefited both sides.

It also meant that anything which weakened the guard commander weakened the faction standing behind him.

"He has spent years presenting himself as disciplined and dependable," Korran continued. "Today, he nearly attacked a witness during a recorded statement because she irritated him."

Sonya lifted her chin proudly.

"Give me all the praise. This Honourable is very talented."

Korran’s eyes moved toward her.

"That was not praise."

Sonya gave a small shrug.

"It sounded like praise."

He decided not to argue.

Simon understood the rest without needing it explained. Korran had not ordered Sonya to provoke the commander, and he had interfered before the situation became violent. However, once the commander began damaging his own reputation, Korran had no reason to save him from himself.

"But that’s not all. You also wanted to see what she was trying to learn," Simon said.

A faint smile appeared on Korran’s face.

"That too."

His gaze shifted fully toward Sonya.

"Why were you so interested in the unconscious vice-leader?"

Sonya’s smile did not disappear, but Simon noticed her shoulders become slightly stiff.

Korran’s voice remained calm as he continued.

"You did not enter this building asking about him. You waited until the commander was angry, then guided the conversation toward his survival and condition."

The faint amusement in his eyes vanished.

"I hope your interest has nothing to do with Black Banner."

A thin pressure settled over the room.

It was nothing compared to what Korran could truly release, but the threat within it was unmistakable.

"If either of you is connected to them," he said quietly, "your war oath will not protect you."

Simon prepared to answer.

Sonya spoke first.

"I wanted to know whether I would be dragged back here."

Korran raised one brow.

Sonya folded her arms and gave him an annoyed expression.

"The rebel was unconscious when I left. If he wakes up tomorrow and decides to lie about what happened, your angry little commander with a short fuse will summon me again and ask the same questions."

She glanced toward the dark recording crystal.

"This Honourable has better things to do than spend every morning explaining why rebels should not hide beneath bathhouses."

Korran studied her face.

"And you needed to manipulate the commander to learn that?"

"Would he have answered if I asked politely?"

Silence followed.

Korran looked toward the reinforced door, then back at Sonya.

Probably not.

Simon remained calm, but he was slightly impressed. Sonya’s lie was simple, believable, and built entirely around her established irritation with the investigation. She had not added unnecessary details or tried too hard to sound convincing.

More importantly, Simon had not needed to interfere.

He was very pleased with that.

Korran’s pressure slowly disappeared.

"For your sake, I hope that is the truth."

Sonya smiled.

"It is close enough."

Simon nearly face palmed himself.

’This brat.’

Korran stared at her for a moment before rising.

"Leave before you create another problem."

They followed him out of the interrogation room.

The Black Horn Office remained busy. Demons moved through the corridors carrying sealed documents, artifacts and duty plates.

A scarred field captain named Rhun stopped Korran near the main hall to ask about the first-raid roster. While they spoke, an elderly records officer approached and collected the recording crystal from the interrogation room.

A slim demon in a plain black coat passed behind them carrying three sealed duty slates. He paused just long enough to greet Korran with a respectful bow before continuing toward one of the side corridors.

Korran finished giving Rhun his instructions, then led Simon and Sonya toward the entrance.

When the doors opened, the sounds of Velmora’s western district flowed into the building.

Sonya stepped into the courtyard and stretched her arms.

"That was easier than expected."

"You truly are chaos incarnate."

Simon walked past her while shaking his head softly.

Sonya grinned while chasing after him with quick yet short skips.

"Causing chaos is fun."

Simon shook his head once again and decided not to say anything. However, his mind was on what he’d do next.

His eyes flashed with a cold and calculating glint.

Behind them, the dark doors of the Black Horn Office slowly closed.

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