His run the next day was typical of every day. The people had accepted the fact that Hamel had dishonored himself but was not yet formally dishonored. As soon as the sun had crested the horizon and people began to walk the streets, the requests for blessings and advice began.

The only difference he found was in the soldiers on watch. The first two soldiers he came across were leaning on their rifles. With the next soldiers, one sat on the ground, picking at his nails while the second appeared sound asleep on his feet. No one stood at attention as he ran by.

Hamel held his tongue. There was no benefit in establishing his authority with them. He would let the dishonor stand. Cuttel was a young officer, but on track to be a General one day. Hamel had dishonored one of their own for no perceivable reason. As much as he didn't appreciate the lack of respect, he understood.

At his house, after the run, Markel joined him in his morning training and exercise. The young man was a solid fighter and would make a good soldier one day. As they sparred, he never once met Hamel's eyes.

An hour later, Markel poked at his breakfast with his fork. The young man had held his tongue since Hamel had returned from his run and only spoken if asked a direct question.

Hamel did not care to avoid the issue that morning, "Out with it, Markel. Say what you must."

"Honored Patir..." Markel began.

Hamel decided to forgo his usual invitation for Markel to call him "Hamel" while in his home. The atmosphere felt as though there was no room for humor. He waited while Markel gathered his courage.

"I have heard a report of your conversation with Mariel. I have heard that you publicly criticized the Honored Matir. I do not wish to believe it. Is it all true?"

"I suspect so, Markel. I refused Mariel's request for my blessing, and I called Karotel a fool."

Markel dropped his fork. Hamel wasn't sure if it was because the reports were true or because he referred to Karotel without her title.

"May I ask you a direct question, Honored Patir?" Markel asked.

"Certainly," Hamel said with a great deal of enthusiasm and a smile on his face. "Anything you wish, my friend. But I do not guarantee an answer, nor do I guarantee that if I do answer, you will like what you hear."

Markel did not hesitate. "You have proven yourself to be one of the greatest men in history. There is no one I have read about who has your list of accomplishments, who has received as much honor, who has acted with such integrity," Markel began.

"You flatter me, Markel," Hamel replied. "What is your question?"

"Over the years, I have seen your disrespect for the Council grow. I have heard you speak more and more against them and their decisions. While it has never come to the point that you have called a member of the Council a fool, it has bothered me greatly. Yesterday, you said and did things you cannot take back. I do not see how you can recover your honor. Why would you do this?"

Hamel smiled. It felt good to smile, although he did not feel he had much to smile about. "Young Markel, I am sorry to say that this is a question I will not answer. I will, however, say this. When I meet with the Council later today, I will not humble myself. I will not seek my honor. I will take my stand against them. I will bring this matter to a head, and time will prove who among us has honor."

Markel's hands shook, and he placed them under the table. Hamel could only suspect that the young man feared Hamel's sanity was in question. He grieved the pain he was causing in young Markel's life, but he would not deviate from his course.

It was time to act for Markel's benefit. "This morning is the end of your employment for me, Markel."

Markel's eyes filled with pain, and his chin quivered. Hamel knew Markel would do anything for him and would even stand beside him in the Council, bearing Hamel's shame. It was time to send him away.

"You will pack up your things after you are finished eating, and you will report to Captain Cuttel. You will tell him that I am assigning you as his aide," Hamel ordered.

"But..." Markel began before closing his mouth. He paused for a moment and then nodded his head. He was too honorable a young man to question Hamel's orders. "Yes, Honored Patir."

Hamel laughed. "Finish your sentence, Markel. Don't say 'But...' and then not tell me what you are concerned about. Speak!"

"Honored Patir, Captain Cuttel despises you. If I go to him as his aide, assigned to him by you, he will suspect I am a spy sent to him to report on all his actions. He will despise me, and I will never have a chance to be a man of honor."

"I understand your fear, Markel. I will say this: you have your honor already. You will not lose what you already have. You also have your orders. See to them."

Markel stood and collected the empty dishes. Though he had been dismissed, he cleaned the dishes and asked permission to go his way. Before he left, he thanked Hamel for the time in his service.

Hamel sat on the couch. His heart was heavy with the pain of the months and years leading up to that moment. But none of what he had done compared to the events of the last day. He had crushed Mariel. He had dishonored Cuttel. He had spoken against Karotel. He had assigned Markel a task that would terrify the young man. That night, he would challenge the Council, and whatever the result, nothing would remain the same from that day forward.

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