PANTERA - Sara Reinke

SARA REINKE“Yes, sir,” Mallus said, realizing Abdes meant toremain mute. “I have dispatched them, sir, per your orders.”“Thank you, Mallus,” Seneca said with a nod, still notlooking up from his work. After another long moment ofpronounced and prolonged silence, he glanced at Abdes. “Areyou alright for it, lad?” he asked.His face softened with his inquiry, the gruffbrusqueness in his voice fading. Abdes nodded, tightening hisfists, not wanting Seneca to realize just how badly the incidenthad affected and disturbed him. “Yes, sir,” he said.“I will remove you from morning sentry duty,” Senecasaid, looking back toward his scrolls. “I’ll write orders to thateffect for your decurion.”Abdes blinked, ashamed that his fear had been soplainly evident, even to so brief a glance. “I do not mind for it,sir,” he said, drawing Seneca’s gaze. Abdes forced his chin up,trying to project some semblance of nonchalant confidence hedid not feel. “I would as soon stand for the duty, sir, like therest of my decury, with your permission, sir.”Seneca looked at him for a long moment. Despite thecapacity for kindness his countenance could project, Abdeshad come to realize that most often, he kept his face sostoically set, it was impossible to determine what thoughts heentertained. This was one such instance. “As you wish,” Senecasaid, nodding once, lifting a stylus in hand and dipping thetapered tip into an ink well. He turned back to his scrolls.“I want you to go with Tribune Mallus today,” he said.“There is a man in the lower district I need brought to me.You and Mallus will deliver him here.”Abdes blinked at him in surprise, and then at Malluswith undisguised hesitation. “Yes, sir,” he said.“Good,” Seneca said. He glanced up at Mallus. “He isyours, then.”“Zadduc and his fellows rattled you this morning,”Mallus remarked as they left the citadel building together.32