A Time of Tigers - From Peasant to Emperor

Chapter 430 Retribution - Part 5

Oliver had no idea what the Three Trails were, but from the grim looks on the rest of the Minister's faces, and the malicious smile that had begun to rise from Jolamire, he could guess that they were not particularly pleasant affairs.

"Might I note, General... Not as a means of disputing the punishment that you've handed out after the fact, but as an acknowledgement of circumstance, I do believe the boy to still be wounded from his recent battle with the Yarmdon," Hod suggested tentatively. It seemed that once Tevar had spoken his orders, even he would not risk directly opposing them.

That seemed to surprise the General. "Is that true, Patrick?"

"Minor injuries, General, they're still having trouble closing," Oliver said. "Though, I'm surprised that the Minister of Logic knew of it."

Hod laughed at that. "All in attendance noted that you were covered in blood, Young Patrick, despite not having taken a wound. One would hope that such knowledge would be proffered by the Minister of Information, but even I might notice obvious things like this."

"I would first dispute the veracity of the claims of having done battle with the Yarmdon—" Lazarus began in a bumbling sort of way, but Tevar immediately dismissed it.

"Yes, yes, we've already been through something similar. If we dispute every point, it'll be full dark outside before we get anywhere with this. Out of recognition for young Patrick's wounds, I'll have it seen to that the Trials avoid the wounded areas, so that they might heal. Are you satisfied with this conclusion, Oliver Patrick?" General Tevar asked.

Oliver dipped his head. "I am, General Tevar, and I thank you for your licence when deciding my punishment."

The General grunted at that. "You wouldn't be calling me lenient if you knew what the punishment was. Most students would rather face the pain of expulsion."

"Physical pain, is it, General?" Oliver asked. "As long as I may keep my limbs, then you will find no complaints with me."

"Your mood has certainly lightened," Verdant noted. "And I would rather you not call me priest. Verdant is a name that I happen to like."

"Well, to a degree, I suppose it has. I didn't expect to be so bothered by the prospect of expulsion, but I suppose I do feel guilty about letting Blackwell's reputation get stained, after the man went out of his way to be good to me," Oliver said. He glanced behind him, feeling the gaze of another pair of students. These were yellow shirts this time. He sighed as he realized that.

"Even the Serving Class have learned to stare."

"I would imagine that's more to do with the announcement of your Trials than anything else. I warn you, given the rarity of their use, you're likely to attract a crowd," Verdant said.

"A crowd? In this weather? These soft nobles? I'm sure they'll freeze and get bored part way through," Oliver said.

"You're likely to freeze before them, I'm afraid," Verdant said, ominously. "What a time for the snow to pick up. They'll have to break the ice across the pond for the Third Trial."

Oliver did deen to ask Verdant what he meant by that. He thought that. He knew that he would find out soon himself regardless, and thought it better not to dwell on that fact. Within the hour, the Trials of Punishment were set to begin, after all.

...

...

An hour later, outside the Central Castle. Mealtime was nearing its end. Verdant had advised Oliver that he eat something light, but not too heavy. Reframing from asking why, Oliver had done just that, and now he found himself on a square of garden, a short distance away from the warm glow of the welcoming Central Castle doorway.