Sohd layed back on his chair and continued:
"Once we heard that the Noxians were moving towards Kalamanda we prepared an attack. Taric was an essential part on that play. He would turn our small troop in an unstoppable force.
But he didn't think that way. He called it suicide. When he refused to join the operation and got arrested we nearly doubled the number of soldiers that would participate. We would not cancel the mission and we couldn't move a bigger contingent to site and still get there in time to stop them from start mining."
Sohd's hand slowly reached for the blue handle.
"What I couldn't foresee was that Illan would also be recruited."
"So you decided to use him."
"I'm not blind, Sakin. Or should I call you Noisy soldier? Since that incident at the training camp I noticed you had become more than friends. I knew he was desperate with the possibility of losing you. I expected that, if he could arrive to Kalamanda on time, his power and the number of soldiers would be enough to succeed on the mission and to avoid causalities."
He sighed before continuing.
"It was easy for me to enter the incarceration area. I said I had questions to ask him.
He was encouraged to see me. Started to tell me the dangers of the mission and asked me to abort it.
I told him the mission had already departed.
I told him I was worried about the troops. That I was concerned with the imminent death of those young men and that there was nothing I could do.
Then I showed him the dagger. 'You can do it' I said. 'You can save Sakin'.
He looked me in the eyes and I turned away. The last thing I heard was "Illian will be safe too."
"In one hour he had escaped the base with the Crystal armor, shield and hammer and one of our best horses."
After a moment of silence Sakin said.
"I didn't let him come back. He wanted to stay with me...here... but I woul... would not bear seeing him being punished for... saving me! Not... Not even his powers would soften his penalty... and everyone, EVERYONE knows that the crown NEVER forgets crimes."
"I tried to convince him that we could escape together... He told me he could not allow me to be disgraced because of him... Now he's gone."
Sakin got up and headed out of the office.
"If the dates - Started Sohd - from all the reports were not made up, and your troop took actions as soon as he arrived at the camp. It means he made a five days horse ride in three. Those gems were really Impressive."
"Outrageous." - Sakin corrected, halfway through the door - "He used to say that they were really outrageous."
