A Time of Tigers - From Peasant to Emperor

Chapter 428 Retribution - Part 3

"How on earth are you teaching here then?" Hod asked. "I would have thought you'd have been hung by now, as per the laws of the king."

The Minister of Information clenched his jaw so hard that Oliver thought he might growl. The old man sucked in his neck like some odd sort of bird, ready to swoop down on Hod, who still sat with his legs dangled over the arm of his chair, as he incited violence from all of his peers.

"Both my Ministers make a valid point," Tevar noted. "What of the other two?"

The Minister of Coin sniffed in distaste. "I find it vulgar that we would allow something so uncultured within these walls. Patrick has raised his boy to be as feral as he. I would not see the Academy turned to the same state of unrest as in the days of him. If the boy cannot control his temper, then he will never be of use to our society, regardless of skill."

Tevar nodded. Oliver hoped it was in mere acknowledgement, rather than agreement. "And you Gavlin, what do you say?"

Gavlin leaned back on his iron throne, as he cracked his neck, and threaded his hairy hands together. The man's beard was as coal black as his hair. Hod might not have been intimidated by him, but anyone else likely would be. The man had a distinctly menacing aura to him.

"Boundary?" He asked Oliver. He made it clear that it was a question.

"Taboo!" The Minister of Information cried. The Minister of Coin was soon voicing his agreement.

"Indeed – taboo. These kinds of vulgarities that the boy brings in his wake, they should not be entertained, Tevar."

"Then, have the boy answer the question," Gavlin said.

"We've argued this, to go against tradition—" Lazarus began, with Jolamire nodding resolutely along with him.

"Bah," Hod said. "There is only a certain amount an argument can carry, it would seem. These marble-headed men wander in circles. We've already discussed this! Move on, you dullards!"

"Hod, enough," Tevar said, holding up his hand for quiet. He spoke firmly, but without the fury in his voice that he'd commanded early. Meekly, Hod obliged, but he did so with a smile, as though certain that he knew Tevar to be on his side.

Oliver briefly stole a glance at the man who was speaking so furiously in his defence, once more noting his youth. Hod caught him looking, and pulled a taunting face, the sort of thing that might scare a child, and then he winked, breaking out into a broad grin.

"Tradition has its place. Lazarus and Jolamire have both pointed out its worth. But in times of violence, tradition does not make the most staunch of walls. If Dominus has already taught his son of the Boundaries, and indeed, if the boy has already exceeded them himself, then it is no real taboo that we commit in its discussion," General Tevar said, his voice grave, but his decision firm.

"Tell us what we already know then, child."

"Indeed, I exceeded the Second Boundary some months ago. I will not have you tarnish Dominus Patrick's good name with your assumptions, though. He did not break your taboo. He did not tell me of the Boundaries until I had exceeded them," Oliver said.

"Rubbish! Hog! You lie! You lie as easily as your father! My mind is made up already," Jolamire hissed. "This here is a poison!

Remove it, Tevar, before it rots the body!"