"That's not how the students will see it," Jolamire sniffed. "That's not how the Lords will see it either, nor the Silver Kings. The High King himself will be suspicious. Too much favour has been granted to Oliver Patrick already. You allowed him off lightly for striking a teacher. Do you want the Academy to be swamped by accusations of favouritism? Because that's what will happen."
"And when they do, you need simply make a list, good General," Hod said with a smile, "for those are the very same fools that are running out once great kingdom straight into the ground."
Jolamire shot the Minister of Logic a most venomous smile. "Another treasonous remark, Minister. Is this evening to be one full of treason?"
"Is that what you are accusing Oliver Patrick of?" General Tavar asked carefully. "State your reasoning."
