Prayer Echoes (1)

The grizzled old man swept a sharp gaze over Green and Lola. "Are these two new?"

Woody Silk quickly explained who Green and Lola were, making a point of mentioning Green's rank of major. But the old man clearly didn't care. He grunted and waved them off. "Girl, stop bothering me. Two more amateurs. Give them whatever work you like, as long as they stay out of my way."

The old man was blunt and spoke as though he answered to no one. Even Woody Silk, who had brought them, looked embarrassed. She gave Green and Lola a helpless look, then waited until they had left the office before saying quietly, "That's just how Mr. Breson is. He treats Director Cynthia the same way. Please don't take it personally."

Lola didn't mind, and Green nodded too. Privately, he was glad to be left alone.

Green had expected something like this from the start. After Nikolayevich became director, he had rebuilt the Anomalies Bureau in Fleidenburg almost from scratch. He was hardly going to trust the old staff, Green included.

Given Green's strength and the fact that he had survived Faerun City, he could easily have secured the deputy director position at the Landon City Anomalies Bureau with a little maneuvering, since Deputy Director Starks had died in battle. Instead, Nikolayevich had assigned him to headquarters in Fleidenburg to make room for his trusted disciple. Green had gained a rank, but no position with real authority. The message was clear.

Green didn't feel wronged. Greater authority meant greater responsibility, and right now he was happy to have time to himself to study the changes in the Graveyard.

Since he knew Mr. Breson, who oversaw the workshops and Laboratory, disliked amateurs, Green had no intention of forcing himself on the man. He