Warden Bane

Decisions are made at the end of this corridor. Whatever's shouted in the yard never reaches this far.

• YeomunIt's not that it can't be heard. It's that no one wants to.
  Warden BaneA retired official's sentiments don't become documents, Elder Yeomun.
• KirikIt carried all the way to yours truly's ears, window frame and all.
  Warden BaneThat window will be sealed next week.

The ledger board is honest. Even what's erased leaves a mark.

• RugarNot even half of what I say makes it onto that board.
  Warden BaneOnly what's worth recording gets recorded.
• YeomunI watched that board for thirty years. The erased spots were always the loudest.
  Warden BaneThat's why I scrubbed your board myself, Elder.

This quarter's interrogation schedule has doubled. I expect the answers to shorten to match.

• YeomunThe length of an answer isn't the questioner's to decide. Not knowing that has already cost several people dearly.
  Warden BaneMy predecessor stepped down over that exact sentence. I trust you remember.

A signature line on a document sits empty. An empty line never stays empty for long.

• RugarI don't know how to write my own name. Lucky, that.
  Warden BaneA human writes a beast's name in its place. That's my work.
• KirikHumans bite with paper. That's scarier than teeth.

The writing on the cell wall has grown three hand-spans since last month. Everything that grows gets listed.

• YeomunThat wall belongs to a room where a person sleeps.
  Warden BaneA sleeping room is still Compact property. Walls included.
• RugarWhere I come from, peering into another's room at night is called hunting.
  Warden BaneOn this side, it's called inspection. Different words, different conclusions.