Chapter 12: Night Shift

The sign on the gate was a flat white panel that had not been there at supper.

It floated a hand's width off the oak, and the letters were small and square.

[RESERVED: HALCYON ADMIN. Region flagged for reset. G. LOCKE.]

Wes stood in front of it with Brigid on one side and Tamsin on the other.

Behind them the soldiers had come out of the hall, half dressed and holding lamps.

"What does it mean?" Brigid said.

"It means someone is coming to take the keep," Wes said.

"Then let him come."

He came a minute later, walking up the causeway in a white robe.

It was Gareth Locke, with his trim silver beard and his kind eyes, his hands open at his sides.

His admin avatar glowed faintly at the edges, and behind him four tall pale figures walked in step.

They had no faces.

"Wes," Locke said warmly. "I'm so glad to see you on your feet."

"You pushed me down a flight of stairs."

"I would never. That was security overreach, and those two men have been let go."

He said it sadly.

"I'm only here because I was worried."

"You locked my session."

"For your own safety. A spinal injury is serious, and I wanted you in the best program we have."

The soldiers murmured behind him.

Brigid's hand slid to her sword.

"Captain," Locke said gently, "put that down. I'm not here to hurt anyone."

"Then what are you here for?" Wes said.

"A small thing."

Locke smiled.

"The temple's class file. Give it to me, and I'll move you to the best rehab facility in the country tonight. Private room, specialists, everything."

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