with at least a dozen colleagues. To further that illusion they ate in silence.
Conversation would be neither attempted nor tolerated until both were finished
with their meal. It was the stance of men who trusted each other completely.
Although his position allowed him a clear view of the flower garden, Zalbar
found his thoughts wandering back to his earlier conversation with Razkuli. Part
of his job was to maintain peace among the Hell Hounds, at least to a point
where their personal differences did not interfere with the performance of their
duties. To that end he had soothed his friend’s ruffled feathers and forestalled
any open fighting within the force … for the time being, at least. With peace
thus preserved, Zalbar could admit to himself that he agreed wholeheartedly with
Razkuli.
Loudmouthed bullies were nothing new in the army, but Tempus was a breed apart.
As a devout believer in discipline and law, Zalbar was disgusted and appalled by
Tempus’s attitudes and conduct. What was worse, Tempus did have the prince’s
ear, so Zalbar was powerless to move against him despite the growing rumours of
immoral and illegal conduct.
The Hell Hound’s brow furrowed as he reflected upon the things he had heard and
seen. Tempus openly used krrf, both on duty and off. He was rapidly building a
reputation for brutality and sadism among the not easily shocked citizens of
Sanctuary. There were even rumours that he was methodically hunting and killing
the blue-masked sell-swords employed by the exgladiator, Jubal.