charge of searches carried out at checkpoints. ‘We don't carry out checks, sir,’ he finally managed to say through a tight throat. ‘In accordance with the governor's decree,’ he quickly added, as if to defend himself. ‘His people do it.’
Darius just gave him a sharp look, which made the sergeant involuntarily shrink. According to everything General Leigher had told him, Lieutenant Al-Satar was in charge of the army in the enclave. However, there was no point in starting a dispute about authority and who could give orders. For now, he took note of this.
‘How many men do you have in the castle?’ The colonel tried not to sound harsh, but he wasn't doing very well.
‘Thirty, sir.’ The soldier looked as if he would have liked to vanish into thin air. ‘Thirty-nine, if you count the patrol.’
‘In that case, you will secure this post.’ Darius looked around. ‘In addition, I order all detainees and evidence to be transported to the citadel and kept under lock and key until I decide otherwise.’ He took a rolled-up piece of parchment stamped with the Guard's seal from his pocket. ‘Here is your written order.’ The sergeant barely managed to catch the scroll. Darius, wanting to emphasise his position, gently nudged Bellator, who took a step forward and hung his head over the soldier who was busy catching the document. The sergeant looked up, straight into the beast's teeth. ‘Do you know what the penalty is for disobeying a Guard order?’ The colonel ended the conversation ominously.
