OUR GLORIOUS PROMOTION!

'Ivan is knocking back vodka even more than usual.' Alexis whispered in Mikovil's ear. 'I've seen him stare down seven men at the kabak, yet look, he is shaking.'

'Disobeying orders,'

'It will be his turn to give evidence next,' Mikovil said, 'and he does not know if the new Commissar will make him scapegoat.'

'Destruction of the property of the Glorious Holy Army of the Hierophant,'

'Why would she do that?' asked Alexis.

'Destruction of the property of His Holiness the Hierophant,'

'That is what Commissars do. That is why you never have same Commissar for more than six moons,' Mikovil said, trying to keep his voice low, 'so that they do not get attached to the men, and will not hesitate to sacrifice them in battle in best interest of Hierophant.'

'Destruction of holy relics,'

The two horsemen fidgeted on their bench at the back of the court room. In front of them the senior officers, including Ivan seated next to Mikovil's father, and in front of them Commissar Alenka Vasileva and Sub-Commissar Alenka Pereriov stood facing the court martial lead by Colonel-Commissar Chernenko, who was allowing a Lieutenant-Commissar to read a list of charges against the Guard.

'Endangering the life of the Hierophant,'

'But she was in command at Khabargrad.' said Alexis.

'Treason,'

'What difference does that make?' said Mikovil, 'She will blame us all if it will save her own skin. Before you arrived we had a Commissar who managed to get her previous three units executed for incompetence. We were lucky she fell off her horse and broke her neck before she screwed up enough to get us all killed too. Vasileva had only been with us a few weeks before Khabargrad, remember? She will not risk her neck for us.'

'And Heresy.' concluded the Lieutenant-Commissar. 'Commissar Vasileva, His most benevolent Holiness the Hierophant has granted you extra-ordinary permission to speak in defense of your unit's actions, if you so wish, on the grounds that you commanded His ceremonial guard at the time of the conflagration. Do you so wish?'

'I do, Lieutenant-Commissar.' said Vasileva, who proceeded to speak.

'What is she saying?' asked Alexis.

'Shhh, I cannot hear' said Mikovil. 'She is pointing at a map of Khabargrad. I can see the two Winter Palace Guard units, and her command post. But the Darkpowder wagon train is missing. Ah, she is explaining about the attack now.'

'It was not exactly an "attack" Mikovil,' said Alexis. 'I cannot believe I am going to die like a dog, in a line.'

'Papa says he thinks we are pretty safe.' said Mikovil. 'We are the Hierophant's winter residence's ceremonial guard. It would look to bad if the people saw the Hierophant execute the very men he was parading outside the palace only moons ago.'

'But you are saying the Commissar could get us all killed if she wanted to, just to save herself?' said Alexis.

'Of course Alexis, she is a Commissar.' said Mikovil.