Free Oryon (Tornians Book 3.5) by M.K. Eidem

in House Rigel?” he asked, then looked to Vali. “Lower your sword, Vali.” When Vali didn’t immediately do as he had ordered, Oryon growled at him. “ Now Vali ! I want to hear Master Kaspar’s response.”
    Slowly Vali lowered his sword, but he did not sheath it.
    “You questioned my Lady’s ability in judging furniture, Master Kaspar?” Oryon asked in a deceptively calm voice.
    “Sire,” Kaspar croaked out, his hand going to his injured throat. “I was merely trying to explain to your Lady that she was mistaken. I was only moving toward her to point out why. Warrior Vali overreacted to my move.”
    “Really?” Oryon eyed his offspring, knowing Vali never overreacted. If he sensed a threat, there was one.
    “Yes, my Lord,” Kaspar said.
    “You question my Lady’s knowledge of furniture?”
    “My Lord, I know I shouldn’t have, because of her position, but when she was so obviously wrong, I felt it was necessary to correct her. It is understandable of course, I mean, she is female.”
    Oryon silently stared at Kaspar before speaking. “Did you know, Master Kaspar, that my Isis’ manno was the Master Cabinetmaker for House Torino?”
    “I…” Kaspar’s gaze flew to Isis, and he found her staring back at him, standing tall and proud. “No, my Lord, I didn’t.”
    “He was a rare male, was Master Geb. He believed that his female offspring should be knowledgeable and educated. He taught her many things. One of those things was his own craft, that of working with adhmad.” Oryon let his words hang there before turning back to Isis. “Show me what you have discovered, my Lady.”
    Isis looked at Oryon for a moment then turned to the piece in question. “This chair is made from peine, a low quality, soft wood that’s been covered with a thin layer of dair.” She pointed to the different woods as she spoke. “I don’t believe the maker of this ever intended for someone to believe it was solid dair. If he had, he would have put a thick piece of dair on the base of every leg so no one inspecting it would know.”
    “Yet there isn’t,” Oryon said.
    “No, there isn’t.”
    “The other pieces?” Oryon let his gaze travel around the room.
    “I haven’t inspected them yet.”
    “Please do so, Isis, I need to know what we are dealing with.”
    Nodding, Isis turned and carefully began to inspect each piece that filled the entrance hall of House Rigel. She felt her anger grow. Every piece in this room was the same as the chair… substandard furniture. Why?
     
    Oryon crossed his arms over his chest and silently stared at Kaspar as Isis inspected the furniture.
    “My Lord,” Kaspar began.
    “Silence!” Oryon ordered. “We will wait to hear what my Lady discovers.”
    “But my Lord!”
    “Do you want to meet my sword, Kaspar?” Oryon growled gripping the hilt of his sword. “Because I promise you, I will draw more blood than that pitiful trickle that my male did.”
    At Oryon’s words, Kaspar stiffened, knowing that when Lord Oryon drew his sword he would strike true and Kaspar wasn’t ready to meet the Goddess this day.
    Seeing Isis approach, Oryon turned his back on Kaspar.
    “What did you discover, my Isis?” Oryon asked in a strong but gentle voice.
    “It is all the same, peine covered with dair, but I also found a craftsman’s mark.”
    “Who?”
    “A Master Bard.”
    “Bard?”
    “Yes. You know him?”
    “He is my Master Cabinetmaker. Kaspar?” Oryon’s eyes pinned the male he had trusted to run his House.
    “Sire, I have no knowledge of how this could have happened.”
    “Are you not the Master of House Rigel?” Oryon demanded.
    “Yes, my Lord.”
    “Are you not in charge of running and obtaining the furnishings for this House?”
    “Yes, my Lord.”
    “Yet you claim no knowledge of this.”
    “No, my Lord… I mean yes, my Lord,” Kaspar stumbled over his words. “I have no knowledge.”
    “Gather your accounts, Master Kaspar, and meet me in my command