"Nevarra City," Cedric says, like he held the job more than six weeks. "Then the Inquisition."

There's a nagging year between - the Conclave didn't arise from a period of peace. But he's alive and he isn't red: That's about as clean a record as they come.

"Been with the March the last few years, under Captain Broward."

That isn't the name on those papers (Vidal). He holds eye contact, steady; painfully aware of the dirt under his nails.