The minutes seemed like hours and the hours like days as Kilthanis flew back home. He kept looking back over his shoulder, seeking any signs of pursuit. His eyes were not sharp after years hunched over parchments, but he didn’t think he saw any, even when he squinted into the distance. He began to breathe easier.

He still had no idea what he was to do. He could only hope that the Emperor would calm down and rescind the order for his arrest. He believed the seneschal would try to help him. He also believed that the Emperor loved him. They had been friends for far too long and had often argued. Those arguments were at times heated. Things had always been okay between them after a time. He just had to hope that this argument was no different, though deep down, he knew it was.

Still, he had little fear now that he was away from Dhekar. Even if the Emperor wished to have him arrested, he could not be spirited away easily from his home or anywhere throughout Dekiyem. He was too public a figure for that. No, the greatest danger passed once he left the palace. Now, he would be entitled to a public trial, and he felt confident that the law was on his side.

Kilthanis felt a great sense of relief when the familiar skyline of Dekiyem came into view and the griffin began to descend. He hadn’t realized how tightly he’d been holding on to the saddle grips until he went to release it. His fingers were stiff from the cold air and the fierceness of his grasp. He pulled off his riding gloves and rubbed his fingers.

“Thank you, Lieutenant,” Kilthanis said.

“You’re welcome, my Lord D’Endray,” the griffin rider said. “Is there anything else I can do to be of service?”

Kilthanis thought about it for a moment, then shook his head. “No, thank you Lieutenant. You’ve been quite helpful today. Will you return immediately to Dhekar?”

“No, sir. A round trip flight is quite tiring for the griffins. We’ll be spending the night here in Dekiyem.”

“Do you need me to recommend a place?”

The griffin rider smiled. “No, thank you, my Lord. We’ll be staying in the barracks.”

Kilthanis shook his head. “Of course, Lieutenant. How silly of me. Rest well, and a safe flight upon the morrow.”
“Thank you, sir.” The Lieutenant saluted smartly, then turned to attend to his griffin. Kilthanis watched him caring for the animal for a moment, and then headed away from the landing area, to make his way home.

He had briefly contemplated asking the man to take a message back to the Emperor for him, but had decided against it at the last minute. Best to let the Emperor calm himself before trying even to apologize. An ill-timed missive might only cause greater ire in his Majesty.

Kilthanis figured he had at least a day before he had to worry about pursuit from the Emperor at this point. Even had the Emperor ordered immediate pursuit, that order would most likely have been given to the Seneschal, who would delay in delivering it, in case the Emperor changed his mind. Even if the Emperor had given the order directly to one of his Imperial Guardsman, Kilthanis still had some time.

Because he’d made good his escape, the Emperor would have to secure a warrant for KIlthanis’s arrest. Then, the warrant would have to be flown to Dekiyem, where it would have to be presented to the local magistrate. It was often inconvenient, but the law required that local officials effectuate all arrests within the limits of any city. The Imperial forces could act only within the Imperial Capital itself, or in the unincorporated lands outside of the cities.

Given the late hour, the local magistrate would not be available. It was true that in emergencies, she could be found at home and would order out the constables. But given his reputation within the city, Kilthanis felt confident that he would be given the courtesy of a night’s sleep, even given the severity of the charges and the source of the accusation.

However, he also felt a responsibility to live up to his reputation. True, he could flee. But that would show a disdain for the law he had worked his life to uphold. No, if charges were to be forthcoming, he would face them in open court and trust the system he had dedicated himself to, to see that he received justice.

These thoughts occupied him through the walk to his house and he felt surprisingly calm as he opened the front door to his home.