The Stone Road Read Free Page A

all muscle, he thought. The clothes, though, were something of a shock. A simple, white tunic with plain black trousers that tucked into ankle height boots. A battered leather belt with a dagger scabbard on the left side and a hook for another scabbard on the right. In the duke’s court such clothing would only be worn by a functionary or low ranking advisor.
    “He did, Sir.”
    “Then why did you disobey his orders? Have you brought shame upon him for your failing to follow his teachings?” The Commander circled Haung, “Is this how you show your respect?”
    “Sir, I meant no disrespect to my teacher.” Haung fought the rising guilt.
    “Meant? Perhaps you did not, Trainee Haung, but it is what you have shown. Is it not?” The Commander paused in his circumnavigation.
    “Sir, the guards informed me that I would not be permitted into your presence armed with my sword. The administrator who guided me to your door also inferred that this would be the case.”
    “So?” the Commander prompted.
    “So I made a choice, Sir. I chose to follow the order my teacher gave to me which was to meet with you. This order came, first, from your honourable self through the chain of command to my teacher and then to me. As you are the Commander and higher in rank than my teacher, I decided that your orders superseded his and I had, therefore, no alternative but to give up my sword, Sir.” Haung's voice sounded loud in the room and, to his own ears, there was a tremble of nervousness.
    “Interesting.” the Commander sat in one of the chairs at the table. “You are correct, of course, but it is interesting to hear your reasoning. Do the orders of superiors always negate the orders of lower ranked officers?”
    “Orders are orders, Sir. I have been taught to follow them to the full,” Haung stated.
    “To the full?”
    “Whenever possible, Sir.”
    “Whenever and possible in the same response. Interesting, Trainee Haung. Not only did you not answer my question but you evaded a direct answer. Why, Trainee?” The Commander picked up a piece of fruit and inspected it.
    “Sir, I meant no disrespect. I answered as fully as I am able. My teacher taught me never to tell a falsehood so it was in that manner that I answered.” Haung could feel sweat start to form on his forehead.
    “Another thing that you will need to learn, Trainee Haung. Falsehoods are sometimes useful in our line of work. However, you are wise to tell the truth whenever possible and certainly to superior officers. There are times when part of the truth can be more of a lie than a lie itself. You must learn when to use each. A lie can be found out but a partial truth can misdirect and even when discovered has the benefit of honesty about it.”
    “Yes, Sir,” Haung answered.
    “Now, Trainee Haung, I have a proposal for you. Feel free to say no.” The Commander drew the dagger from its scabbard and cut into the fruit, carefully dividing it into neat, even sections. “Understand, Trainee Haung, that I cannot order you to do this. It has never been the way of this offer and traditions such as this must be respected.”
    “Sir?” Haung quickly wiped the sweat from his forehead as the Commander selected a piece of fruit.
    “Reports from your teacher, and the investigations I ordered, revealed some interesting facts about you, Trainee Haung.” The Commander picked up one of the fruit pieces, popped it into his mouth and chewed thoughtfully. Haung waited, at attention, for him to continue. “Firstly, you are an excellent fencer who, with proper training, could be turned into an excellent fighter.”
    “Thank you, Sir.” Haung spoke into the pause in the Commander’s speech.
    “Oh, don’t thank me yet, Trainee Haung. You haven’t heard me out and you need to before you respond.” The Commander turned his gaze on Haung who, for the first time, looked into those piercing green eyes. Unusual for the people of Yaart who were dark-eyed in the main. “Secondly,