Free Call of the Colossus: An epic fantasy novel (The Mindstream Chronicles Book 2) by K.C. May Page B

out of expecting to be treated with respect. You people wanted to put me to death. Let me ask you, Elder. If Elder Sonnis had issued a command to have your entire hometown slain, would you have punished him? Or would you have waited for him to go to trial, knowing his friends were judging him?” She pointed back at the justice building. “Knowing they would probably find some way to excuse or justify his actions and send him back to work with a mere slap on the hand?”
    Elder Devarla regarded her with a cocked head. “Do you honestly believe there’s such corruption within this establishment that friendship would trump justice? That favors can be exchanged to overlook immoral or illegal behavior?”
    Jora considered for a moment what Rivva had said. Because Elder Sonnis was involved. We don ’ t know how many more of them still are or who they might be. There had to have been more within the Order who were like Sonnis—corrupt and quite possibly involved in the godfruit smuggling. “Yes,” she said quietly.
    The elder grasped Jora by the elbow, sharp fingers digging into her flesh, and marched her down the covered walkway. She released Jora’s arm and sat on the first of several stone benches on the left that overlooked the open, grassy courtyard between the two buildings. “Sit with me a moment.” Her voice was softer now, less accusatory.
    Jora joined her on the bench. The early evening air felt cooler there in the shade. Around them, birds chirped and squirrels darted from one hiding place to another. The brick wall that surrounded the justice bureau compound was tall enough to hide the rooftops of the adjacent buildings, but it didn’t quiet the sounds of a barking dog and children playing nearby. Still, it was peaceful there.
    “Are you willing to tell me who?” Devarla asked.
    Jora shook her head. She didn’t know who. To guess would be to cast suspicion on people based on her own dislike, and that wasn’t fair.
    “I arrived in Jolver a few days ago, transferred from Halder, and haven’t had time to assess the character of my colleagues. You can trust me, Jora. I’m as interested as you are in weeding out the corrupt and returning integrity to the Order.”
    “I only know what Elder Sonnis did. He had to have been–” Taught? She shook the notion out of her head. Elder Kassyl wasn’t corrupt. Elder Kassyl would not have taught Elder Sonnis or any of his other adepts how to skirt the law or funnel ill-begotten money into Serocia’s economy.
    Devarla watched her for a moment. “Then he might’ve been the only corrupt one here.”
    Jora shrugged. “I suppose it’s possible.”
    The door to the justice building opened, and Elder Gastone stepped out. He caught Jora’s eye and gave her a grim smile and a nod. “Elder,” he said as he passed. “Novice.”
    The two women watched his back as he continued to the dormitory.
    “He wanted to have you transferred to his hierarchy,” Devarla said. “You two have history?”
    Jora nodded. “He was the one who showed up in Kaild to bring me here in the first place. Somehow they tracked me down through my Mindstreaming.”
    “You coined that term, didn’t you? Mindstreaming?” Devarla asked. “I’ve heard others here use it, especially the novices and disciples.”
    “I suppose so. That’s how I’ve always thought of it, and I guess the word caught on after I first took my oath.”
    The elder winked at her. “A person’s influence generally starts small and then grows over time. It’s fitting that this term would be introduced by the Gatekeeper.” She slapped her palms against her thighs and stood. “Shall we?”
    They continued on their way to the dormitory and climbed the stairs. As they passed the second floor, Devarla said, “My room is number two fourteen, in case you need me outside of normal hours.”
    Jora’s old room was clean and tidy, the bed made with fresh sheets. On the foot of the bed was a pair of hemp sandals and bundle