They hadn’t expected this from him, he saw, but it was how he felt. He heard a flutter of wings and turned to see Gabil and Michal perched on a long brass spear on the chamber’s far end. Michal stared at him, unwavering. Johnis wondered how long they’d been watching.

“It’s a just punishment,” Thomas said.

Johnis turned back to the Council.

“The imprisonment, not the lashes,” Thomas continued. “But there are mitigating circumstances here that should affect our judgment.”

William, Thomas’s lieutenant, spoke out of turn. “The Third Fighting Group knew it was going to face the Horde as they might on any other mission. How many thousands have given their lives following the commands of superiors over the last five years?”

“Following the orders of legitimate commanders,” Tulas, a short, plump member said. “No sane man can excuse—”

“Let me finish,” snapped William. “I am not saying that Johnis is innocent of deceiving Captain Hilgard. But 137 fighters died as any die, following orders to which end only fate or Elyon knows. This is war, not the business of civil servants.”

“They wouldn’t have gone if he hadn’t deceived them!” Tulas said.

“Every month, more than a thousand fighters die because someone told them to go into battle! Many die on account of their commander’s poor judgment. Are we to incriminate all who make poor judgments? Johnis’s crime was assuming authority he did not have.”

“And my husband was saved by Johnis,” Rachelle said. “He sent the daughter of Qurong out into the desert looking for him. But this isn’t about Thomas or the Third Fighting Group, is it? This is about the Great Romance. The love of a boy for his mother.” Rachelle put her hand on her husband’s knee. “Would Karas please take the center?”

Karas was dressed in a red frock made from the hibiscus flower and cotton, one that matched Kiella’s. The two girls had struck an immediate bond, and Kiella was already demanding that Karas stay with them, maybe even join their family.

“Go on,” Kiella whispered.

Karas stared at the Council with wide eyes, blue, as it turned out. It was so strange to think that color waited beyond the whites of all Scabs’eyes.

Kiella grabbed her hand and led her to the front, then hurried back to her seat.

Karas’s arms hung by her sides. Kiella had braided her long brown hair, which was now silky smooth and clean. To match her dress she wore a hibiscus bloom behind her right ear. We wanted to look special in honor of you, Johnis, Kiella had informed him. Do you like it?

He could hardly hold back his tears. The same emotion swallowed him now, but he resolved to remain professional before the Council.

“You’re a very beautiful girl, Karas,” Rachelle said. “It’s an honor to have you among us.”

“Thank you,” Karas said.