Whenever Erich Dönitz saw Mannacorn, the Cormyrean naval officer marveled at his boundless energy. Mannacorn could drink with his subordinates until dawn, then rise for breakfast before the first ray of sunlight touched the windowsill. Compared with this leader, Aaron Salian, foremost of the Arabel Five Heroes, lacked that powerful sense of order; when off duty, he rarely left his house before the afternoon.
The military was an institution with an inherent sense of order, clearly defined ranks, and a strict hierarchy of promotion. In the academies of Oghma, god of knowledge, teachers encouraged students to ask questions and used classroom debates as a means of improvement. In the military, recruits who did the same would merely be made to stand as punishment or thrown into confinement by their instructors.
Thus, the strong sense of order Mannacorn displayed never ceased to fascinate the naval officer.
Naturally, just as Saint Cuthbert, god of order, had said, "Reward and punishment are the foundation of all order." Mannacorn never begrudged sharing his wealth, and someone inevitably had to bear the punishments, too.
For those in the underground quarters of Anaheim Manor, these days meant learning to treat screams, cries for help, and anguished wails as "white noise." Traitors deserved no sympathy. Erich Dönitz saw many of his former colleagues being brutally tortured behind iron bars, but the naval officer had no intention of stopping as he walked past.
Only once—just once—his close friend Dreler called out to him. A retired naval officer, Dreler was like a brother to him, a drinking companion he met every week. He begged Dennitz to save him, and Dennitz glanced at him.
Dreler had been arrested because Mannacorn suspected him of leaking the dock gangs' plans.
Dennitz turned and left. He knew Dreler deserved his punishment, because if