Transfer of Power

Shien closed the document, rose, and bowed to Yasol. "Thank you for your trust."

Yasol's voice remained even. "My trust alone isn't enough. Once you take this position, more and more eyes will be on you."

Shien looked back at the document.

Yasol was right. Once the document was signed, everything Shien did would draw scrutiny from every faction in Tear Knight City.

The makeshift team under him would need their roles formally changed at once. They would go from the lord's attendants to the core of the reconstruction reforms, subject to strict review by every department.

Shien raised his head. "I'm not afraid to make every step of my work public.

"Every order will have a basis, and every allocation will be justified. The Reconstruction Institute will be a completely transparent department.

"But I need the records for every Defense Zone, as well as every department in Tear Knight City.

"I accept scrutiny, but I also need to see the whole picture."

Yasol was silent for a moment. "You'll have what you need."

Shien handed him pen and paper, positioning the signature line beneath Yasol's pen.

The pen touched the blank space on the document's final page. Beside the Weeping Saint Altar Seal, Yasol signed his name. The document took effect.

"Show me results," Yasol said.

Shien put away the document and bowed again. "I will."

By the time he stepped outside, darkness had fallen.

The white-gold firelight held back the Blood Moon and spilled across the stone road.

Maren stood properly outside the door. He saw the wax-sealed document in Shien's hand, but had no idea what it contained. He could only tell that the Governor's Mansion had issued a new order.

Shien offered no further explanation. He slipped the document into a folder and said, "The Reconstruction