Officit Boldis eyes me with suspicion. Saengo comes from one of the oldest reiwyn houses in Evewyn, House Phang. They’re renowned for producing the best falconers in the kingdom. Saengo is often approached by the capital’s falconers to discuss some matter or another about the messenger birds.

“Even so,” Officit Boldis says, sneering. “Your tardiness has cost us time. As penance—”

There’s a light cough from behind us. Saengo’s eyes go wide as we both turn to see who’s dared to interrupt an officit. I’m unsurprised to find Jonyah Thao climbing off his drake. I clasp my hands behind my back, fingers clamped tight together, as Saengo and I share a glance.

Jonyah bows first to the officit and then to Saengo. Saengo is Jonyah’s cousin and the future leader of his House. Although he doesn’t spare me even the vaguest acknowledgment, as he is my elder in age and my superior in station, I’m still expected to show respect. My head twitches in what could arguably be a bow.

Jonyah says, “Officit Boldis, it is my duty to inform you that Phang left the Company grounds a mere half hour ago. My friends and I witnessed her departure.”

Saengo’s gaze darts to mine, her nostrils flaring. I imagine the look on Jonyah’s face if I punched him right now.

The corners of Officit Boldis’s mouth pull downward as if imitating his drooping mustache. His heavy brows hang low over his eyes, his expression thunderous. “Lying to an officit,” he all but spits out. “Cane!”

I tuck in my chin, lower my gaze, and mentally swear in three languages. My legs just finished healing from an encounter with a thorneater last week when Kendara sent me north to retrieve one of its tusks.

Saengo tries to catch my eye, but my gaze remains firmly on the ground. Neither of us speaks. Our pleas would be useless. As the child of a reiwyn lord, she is above physical penance from even the officits of the Company.

I am no one, the child of nameless people who left me at an orphanage when I was two. Whatever memories I might have once had of them are long faded. This will hardly be the first time I’m punished for something involving us both, but as I’m the reason why we were late, it’s my fault, anyway.

Officit Boldis says, “The penance is usually fifteen lashes. However, as you’ve already caused us delay, I will allow five strikes to the legs.”

I wait, knowing there’s more. He isn’t the merciful sort.

“Thao,” he says, addressing Jonyah. “Would you administer her penance?”