Jenlyns can hear her coming from down the hall, the tromp of armored boots and clanking of plate heralding her arrival. He can always tell when it’s Natalie, whereas most Sultansworn affect a slow steady gait, appropriate for the ancient guardians of an ancient dynasty, she strides around headquarters like a woman possessed.
“You wished to see me Sir?â€
He nods to her, and Natalie enters the room, threading through the chairs and stacks of papers before coming to attention at the foot of his desk. It is evening now, and he studies her features by lamplight for a moment, lingering over the scars on her face. He can put a story to each of them, a story of service to the Sultana, and it makes him hate himself for what he’s about to do.
Jenlyns rubs his temples for a moment before beginning, “Sergeant, some things have come to my attention that are troubling, and I must take action on them.†He exhales and shakes his head slightly, “I do not wish to, but I fear both the honor and loyalty of our order will be besmirched if I do nothing.†He gives her a steady look, “I think you know what I’m talking aboutâ€.
Natalie blanches, and the normally imperturbable woman looks out of her element. “I…†she swallows, having trouble meeting his gaze. “I know what you’re talking about†she says, before taking a deep breath. “It’s the chili isn’t it?†She bites her lip, “It was my idea, and I take full responsibilityâ€.
Jenlyn nods, “Good, this will be easier if you can admit…†he blinks, “What chili?â€
Natalie looks back at him in confusion. “This isn’t about the chili night I started?†She sighs, “I know it was a bad idea to have it before the ceremony, but we played it off, told that Gridanian diplomat the trumpets were practicingâ€. She exhales, “Couldn’t do anything about the smell though…â€.
Jenlyn looks at her mouth agape, “You mean those weren’t trumpets?†He frowns at her, “I was told the trumpeters were tuning their instruments, and that the sewers were backed up againâ€
She nods, “Ah… that’s a good excuse. Anyway Sir I accept full responsibility†she stands rigidly.
He sighs, “No punishment is required, just have more foresight before changing the menu in the futureâ€.
“Thank you sir, will that be all?â€
He almost nods by reflex, before remembering why he called her here. Though he no longer feels so bad about it. “No†he tosses her a packet of orders which she barely catches, “You've been a busy woman Sergeant, and have attracted some of the wrong attentionâ€.
She glances at the orders, “This is…?†she looks back at him. “You can’t be seriousâ€
“I’m completely serious. I’m throwing you to the lions to protect the reputation of the order†he sighs and rubs his temple, “I trust that whatever you've done, you did for the right reasons, but unfortunately that doesn't go for much. There are people far more powerful than me out for your blood. Go meet Jameson, he’s an old friend of mine, and has graciously provided us with an out.â€
Natalie bristles for a moment, then seems to deflate, “Yes sir…†she replies. She gives a sharp salute, and as Jenlyns dismisses her, she sadly tromps out of the office.
After she leaves he pulls a bottle out from a drawer and fills a glass with amber liquor. He swirls it around, having mixed feelings about this whole affair. “Well…†he shrugs, before downing the drink, feeling it burn its way to his stomach, “At least she’ll be someone else’s problem for a whileâ€. He laughs and attempts in vain to finish his paperwork.
“You wished to see me Sir?â€
He nods to her, and Natalie enters the room, threading through the chairs and stacks of papers before coming to attention at the foot of his desk. It is evening now, and he studies her features by lamplight for a moment, lingering over the scars on her face. He can put a story to each of them, a story of service to the Sultana, and it makes him hate himself for what he’s about to do.
Jenlyns rubs his temples for a moment before beginning, “Sergeant, some things have come to my attention that are troubling, and I must take action on them.†He exhales and shakes his head slightly, “I do not wish to, but I fear both the honor and loyalty of our order will be besmirched if I do nothing.†He gives her a steady look, “I think you know what I’m talking aboutâ€.
Natalie blanches, and the normally imperturbable woman looks out of her element. “I…†she swallows, having trouble meeting his gaze. “I know what you’re talking about†she says, before taking a deep breath. “It’s the chili isn’t it?†She bites her lip, “It was my idea, and I take full responsibilityâ€.
Jenlyn nods, “Good, this will be easier if you can admit…†he blinks, “What chili?â€
Natalie looks back at him in confusion. “This isn’t about the chili night I started?†She sighs, “I know it was a bad idea to have it before the ceremony, but we played it off, told that Gridanian diplomat the trumpets were practicingâ€. She exhales, “Couldn’t do anything about the smell though…â€.
Jenlyn looks at her mouth agape, “You mean those weren’t trumpets?†He frowns at her, “I was told the trumpeters were tuning their instruments, and that the sewers were backed up againâ€
She nods, “Ah… that’s a good excuse. Anyway Sir I accept full responsibility†she stands rigidly.
He sighs, “No punishment is required, just have more foresight before changing the menu in the futureâ€.
“Thank you sir, will that be all?â€
He almost nods by reflex, before remembering why he called her here. Though he no longer feels so bad about it. “No†he tosses her a packet of orders which she barely catches, “You've been a busy woman Sergeant, and have attracted some of the wrong attentionâ€.
She glances at the orders, “This is…?†she looks back at him. “You can’t be seriousâ€
“I’m completely serious. I’m throwing you to the lions to protect the reputation of the order†he sighs and rubs his temple, “I trust that whatever you've done, you did for the right reasons, but unfortunately that doesn't go for much. There are people far more powerful than me out for your blood. Go meet Jameson, he’s an old friend of mine, and has graciously provided us with an out.â€
Natalie bristles for a moment, then seems to deflate, “Yes sir…†she replies. She gives a sharp salute, and as Jenlyns dismisses her, she sadly tromps out of the office.
After she leaves he pulls a bottle out from a drawer and fills a glass with amber liquor. He swirls it around, having mixed feelings about this whole affair. “Well…†he shrugs, before downing the drink, feeling it burn its way to his stomach, “At least she’ll be someone else’s problem for a whileâ€. He laughs and attempts in vain to finish his paperwork.
