Chapter 10: The Bakers

     The couple sitting at the Watch House regarded Frayg with a frantic desperation. They'd been waiting for him for nearly an hour, and they could tell by the way the other watchmen behaved that there was something they weren't being told. Frayg sat himself across the table from them. He looked over a piece of parchment in his hands.

     "Mr. and Mrs. Prayner?"

     "Yea," said the man. He was tall and rotund, but had a look of strength about him. His light brown hair was closely cropped and he was clean-shaven. His wife was similarly built, but softer. Her blonde hair was tied in a tight bun at the back of her neck. They both wore long white aprons and smelled of fresh bread.

     "I'm Captain Frayg. This report says you're looking for your son ... Nodge?"

     "Yea. 'E joined the navy, y'see ..." Mr. Prayner had an odd accent that Frayg couldn't quite place.

     "Have you checked down at the docks?"

     "No sir, 'e never went to the docks."

     "Are you sure?"

     "Yea. A navy cap'n come up t' our bakery this mornin' an' tole us Nodge never showed up f'r duty yest'day,"

     "Do you think he got cold feet and fled?"

     "Nay. 'E was bound an' determined, in spite o' the fact that 'is mother an' me didn't approve."

     "So, when did he sign up?"

     "Day 'fore yest'day. An' then we 'ad a fight o'er it that night. We kicked 'im -"

     "You kicked him out of the house, Novril," interjected his wife. "I was upstairs crying at the time."

     "I see. So you wanted him to stay and run the family bakery, but he wanted to run off and see the world, yes?"

     "So 'e says, yea."

     "Tell me, Mr. Prayner. Did your son say anything about where he was going?"

     "Nay." Novril sullenly lowered his head. "I tole 'im I never wanted t' see 'im again. Didn't give 'im time t' tell me what 'e were about. I were too angry, y'see."

     "But he was due to report to the Yard yesterday morning. Tell me, did he have much money on him?"

     "Yea. 'E waited 'til after I paid 'im 'is wages t' tell me 'is plans."

     "Would you describe him for me please? Also what he was wearing."

     Just as Frayg had both hoped and feared, the description matched that of the boy from the Carter's Rest. Well, he had to be someone, I suppose. He just hated to be the one to break the news.

     "Mr. Prayner, would you mind coming with me for a moment? Mrs. Prayner, you can wait here. We'll be back in less than half an hour, I expect."

     "Mr. Prayner, I'm afraid I have some bad news for you." The two men walked up Lyons' Wist – the central bisecting road of the Wall Street District of Ayrst – towards the temple where the victim's body was currently housed.

     "I expect you do, Cap'n Frayg, else you'd not 'ave left my wife behind."

     "The description you gave me of your son matches that of a, uh ... a body we found at the Carter's Rest Inn yesterday morning. I'd like you to identify him to be sure. We haven't had a clue as to his identity up to now."

     The man paused a moment, his face suffused with blood. He choked back his tears before asking, "'Ow? 'Ow did 'e Pass? Did 'e drink 'imself Over on account of our fight?"

     "No, sir. Someone sent him."

     They walked the rest of the way to the temple in silence. Novril Prayner did recognize his son.

     "But 'is eyes ... what's 'appened to 'is eyes?"

     "We don't know, Mr. Prayner. We are pretty sure he was Passed before that happened, though," Frayg lied.

     "Please, Cap'n ... don't tell Ella about th' eyes. She'll not know 'ow t' take it." Novril's tears began to flow.

     "As you say, Mr. Prayner. We'll tell her simply that he was robbed and that he Passed quickly. There's no need to add detail. We shouldn't keep her waiting, though."

     After a few minutes, Novril composed himself and the two men left the temple. The walk back to the Watch House was a slow one. Every few steps Mr. Prayner would begin weeping again.

     "'S my own fault y'know. If'n I hadn't yelled at 'im so ... 'e might o' stayed at home that night. An' 'e would've 'ad a quiet place t' sleep, 'stead o' spendin' 'is coin on ale an' a room."

     "Mr. Prayner, listen to me. This is not your fault. There is no way you could have known what would happen to Nodge."

     As they approached the Watch House, Mrs. Prayner stepped through the doorway. Looking up the street, she caught sight of the two men walking and talking together. As soon as Mrs. Prayner perceived the look on her husband's face she dropped to her knees. An otherworldly wail issued from her throat. Mr. Prayner ran to her and joined her on the ground and held her to him. They rocked there back and forth, the inhuman wailing seeming as though it would never stop.

     Frayg turned away from the couple, unable to control his own tears. Up to now it was just a body, he thought. Now it's a person. He knew his chances of finding the responsible party were slim, but he determined he would exhaust every possibility.

     The Prayner's weeping slowed after several minutes. They sat there on the ground, holding one another.

     "I'm so sorry, Ellie, I'm so sorry," began Novril. "'S my own fault. I shoulda never let 'im leave. I were so angry an' now it's my fault 'e's gone an' I dunno what t' do ..."

     Ellie put a finger on her husband's lips. "Hush now, you fool. You couldn't have known. It's not your fault. I should have -"

     "That's right," interjected Frayg. "It's not your fault – either of you. We're not sure who's fault it is, but we have a few clues, and I promise you I will do my very best to find them and see them brought to the King's Justice."

     Frayg helped the grieving couple up from the ground and brought them inside, away from the crowd of onlookers that was beginning to form around them in the street. He got them both a glass of cool water and found chairs for them.

     "Shall I call a priest from the Temple? Or from another church?"

     "We've always worshipped at the Church of the Earth," said Mrs. Prayner. "My husband's family came to Ayrst from Bergheim when he was a boy. The only things they brought with them were their profession and their faith."

     Mr. Prayner nodded agreement. "But there's no need for you t' call a priest. I think we'll collect Nodge's sister an' go to the church together."

     "Very well. I'll contact the priests at the Temple of the Light  and make arrangements for your son to be handed over to the Church of Earth. Do you need any other help with arrangements for the Rite of Passing Over?"

     The Prayners' eyes welled up with tears again. "No thank you, Cap'n. We'll take care of ever'thin' else. 'S our fam'ly duty." 

     They rose from their chair and turned to go. Frayg accompanied them to the door.     

     "If you need anything at all, please let me know. You can always reach me through the Watch House, even when I'm not here."

     They thanked him and walked out, whispering to one another. After a moment, Mr. Prayner returned - alone.

     "Y'know, though ... reminds me of a tale me mam used t' tell us children of an evenin' ..." He trailed off.

     "What sort of tale was that?"

     "One o' them stories folks used t' tell their young'ns to get 'em to behave. She used t' warn us all t' stay close t' home an' always do as we were tol' on account o' the Eye Reaper. They used t' say he'd come and steal th' eyes of children what wouldn't listen, or if'n they cried too much."

     "Is that so? Did you ever tell such tales to your son?"

     "Nay. 'S one o' them things we left behind in Bergheim. But I used t' have this neighbor, y'see ... 'e always said them old stories was based on real creatures what used to live a'fore the collapse of th' Old Empire. 'E used t' say that not all of 'em was gone, either – that some of 'em lived on. 'S probably nothin' t' do wit' ... this ... wit' our case, I mean. But after thinkin' on it a minute, I were reminded o' them old stories."

     "Any little thing you can think of might be helpful, Mr Prayner, no matter how unrelated it may seem. Thank you."

     With that, Novril rejoined his wife in the street and they left for home. Frayg, meanwhile, sent one of the pages to the temple with a message to make arrangements with the Church of Earth.

     The Eye Reaper, he thought to himself. Could such a thing really be true? Monsters from legends had been seen now and again, but in a city of close to half a million people? Surely someone would have reported seeing something like that.

     "Billi," Frayg said to the House Captain, "When Commander Brylle comes back, tell him about the Prayners. At least we know who that poor boy was, now. Oh, and let him know I'll be at the library for a while."

     "The library?" Billi was nonplussed. "What in All the Hells are you going to be doing in the library?"

     "Following a clue. Not a very good one, mind you ... but I just had one of those peculiar ideas put in my head, and until I do something about it, it's just going to keep bothering me."

Chapter 9: The Dreamer

     The company remained in the dining hall for a little while after the Countess left. They discussed their plans for the next day, but only briefly. The Dreamer would do as was expected, and search for answers in his sleep. After that, he would stay with the Countess. Nandliss would begin searching the grounds and talking with the foresters as soon as the sun rose. Elinge and Mr. Insel would start with searching the house and talking to the servants. Once their roles were determined, they retired to their rooms for the night.

     When the sun rose, they were each greeted by one of the twins, and told to come to the back terrace after washing. Once they arrived, Nansi informed them that the countess would be taking her breakfast alone in her parlour, but that she and Rikard had been instructed to give them any aid and answer any questions they might have. She then brought out fruit and cream and fresh bread for their morning meal.

     The face of Sol shone over the terrace, offering a beautiful view of the gardens. In the distance beyond, the roof of the garden house could be seen, as well as a plume of smoke, as from a camp fire. There was some noise of men talking from that direction, as well. The company sat at a wrought iron table covered by a fine linen cloth with a matching set of chairs. 

     Further on, to the north and west, the company could see the edge of the Willow Wood. The trees grew thick there – their foliage was just beginning to change – though there was some evidence of destruction where the trees had come closest to the gardens. The foresters had clearly been at their work for at least a few days.

     "So, Master Trammer. Were your dreams informative?" asked Mr. Insel.

     "I'm afraid they were not." The Dreamer frowned at the nearly untouched plate before him. "I felt no Connection last night. Perhaps it was the trip here. I may need more rest before I can truly Dream. I may also need more contact with the Countess. I'll spend a quiet day with her today, and perhaps nap in the afternoon when she does. I should be better able to prepare myself tonight."

     Elinge grinned at the Dreamer. "So you need some proper rest before you can sleep?"

     "Drolly put, but essentially correct. In order to truly Dream, one's mind and spirit must be rested and prepared appropriately. This is difficult to achieve, as time spent True Dreaming is never so restful as time spent merely dreaming in the conventional sense."

     "Well, I slept like a babe," put in Owerst Nandliss. "The Countess's beds are quite comfortable. Of course, when you've spent as many nights camped outdoors as I have, any bed indoors is a comfort."

     "Yes," said Elinge. "I imagine you've known enough sleepless nights for all of us."

     "Indeed," he replied, and then rose. "But if you'll excuse me, I think I shall begin my investigations. The foresters begin early, and I shouldn't like to interrupt their work too much once they've begun. Ms. Froske. Gentlemen." He bowed to them in turn, and pulling a green rucksack over his left shoulder, made his way straight to the garden house.

     The remaining three ate quietly for a few minutes, until the Dreamer, too, took his leave. "I had best check on Countess Amelia," he said. "Perhaps she's had another of her ... Dreams."

     Once Nansi had finished cleaning up the table she brought them kaffea. They sat side by side, looking out over the garden. The gardens must have received attention that the rest of the estate did not, for they were still in a lovely condition.

     "So, Mr. Insel, what do you think?" Elinge took a sip of her kaffea, and stared into her cup.

     "I think the Countess is hiding something."

     "You always think everyone is hiding something."

     "Everyone usually is." Mr. Insel grinned crookedly.

     "I suppose you're right, at that. But what, specifically, do you suppose our Amelia is hiding?"

     "I'm not sure yet, Miss. But I'd bet you have some ideas already."

     "You know me too well, Mr. Insel. What else have you got on your mind?"

     "Well, this Rikard fellow. She seems to be of mixed mind about him. One minute she's insulting his honor, and the next she's talking about his loyalty."

     "Very good, Mr. Insel. I think that bears some investigation, don't you?"

     "As you say, Ms. Froske."

     "And what did you think of the portraits in the dining hall?"

     "Aside from the obvious, you mean?"

     "Yes. Aside from the resemblance to the Count."

     "Well, in the Countess's portrait, she appears to be of an age with what the Count is in his."

     "And why do you find that strange, Mr. Insel?"

     "Well, because he was twelve years her junior, of course. When he'd have had that portrait made she'd have already been nearly fifty. But she looks to be in her mid-thirties, at most. And she would have been … let's see … she was forty-eight when he Passed, and that was in 768. They were married in 758, so they were only married ten years. So she'd have been thirty eight and him only twenty-six when they were wed. She looks younger than that in the portrait."

     "Yes. Now that does seem a bit odd, doesn't it? What possible reason could there be for this discrepancy in age?"

     "Well, I suppose she could age as slowly as those kids seem to do."

     "Yes, there is that, I suppose. But I expect the answer is far more mundane than that."

     "How do you mean, Miss?"

     "Portraits are usually made to project an image for posterity."

     "And you expect she doesn't want posterity to remember the age difference between her and the Count?"

     "Precisely, Mr. Insel. It's not common for people to marry someone so far from their age."

     "But nobles are hardly common, are they?"

     "Indeed they are not. Nobility often marries for reasons other than love."

     "You expect their marriage was an arranged one, then?"

     "Most probably, yes. And as the Countess was born an Astra, a marriage to her would have been quite a step up for the Count. Men usually arrange for their wives to be younger, but in this case there would have been something else at stake: power and connections."

     "The Countess seems convinced that the Count loved her."

     "She seems too convinced, though, don't you think, Mr. Insel?"

     "And there's posterity, again."

     Elinge nodded. "And why do you think it would be so important to her that her husband be depicted, for posterity, to be such a loving, caring, and devoted man?"

     "Well, Miss Froske ... generally when someone tries so hard to foster a particular image for posterity, it's because they're trying to hide something."

     "And we're back at square one again, Mr. Insel: the more obvious thing about the portraits."

     "Yes. The resemblance between the Count and Rikard."

     "And the fact that Rikard's mother, the young maid Livinia, came here with Amelia all those years ago."

     "So you're thinking that the Count is Rikard's proper father. You reckon the Count may have married Amelia Astra, but that it was Livinia he loved?"

     "It's quite possible. Amelia surely does what she can to dishonor the woman's memory. She can say what she likes about not standing on ceremony, but I've met few people who would dishonor the memory of those who've Passed in such a way."

     "Fewer still among the nobility, wouldn't you say, Miss Froske?"

     "Oh, they do it, but never so directly, Mr. Insel. Nobles rarely say anything directly."

     "On account of posterity?"

     "Something like that, yes."

     Mr. Insel and Elinge Froske finished their kaffea and took their cups and saucers to the kitchen where Nansi was cleaning and beginning preparations for the midday meal. Jessa took their dishes from them and added them to the pile she was already washing. She gave them a sullen look as if to say, I didn't have to do so much work when we didn't have guests, you know. They startled Nansi by thanking her for the meal, and then left to explore the house.

     They began with the Library, where they were surprised to find Merrik Trammer. He was quietly perusing the titles on the shelves.

     "Master Dreamer," said Elinge, "I expected you to be upstairs."

     "I would be, Ms. Froske, but I was informed by Rikard that she wasn't up to receiving anyone this morning. It seems she slept unsoundly and awoke with a touch of a cough. I, myself am unable to sleep so early, and so I decided to spend some time meditating."

     "But you found yourself here?"

     "Libraries often have the most comfortable chairs, you see."  He indicated the overstuffed chairs placed about the room. "This one is no exception to that rule."

     "Looking for heresies, are we?"

     "Of course, not. I have no desire to put that poor woman in danger, no matter what unusual beliefs she's taken with in her old age."

     "Yes, well, you and she both seemed to indicate that you may not hold the most orthodox philosophies yourself."

     "Surely I have no idea what you mean."

     "Did you hear that, Mr. Insel? He has no idea what I'm talking about. Do you find that odd?"

     "I certainly do, Miss Froske."

     "And why would you find that odd?" asked the Dreamer.

     "Well, Master Dreamer" began Elinge. "It's because of Mr. Insel's unique gift."

     "And what is that?"

     "Won't you please tell him, Mr. Insel?"

     Mr Insel's voice took on a flat tone: "Surely, Countess, you know what you speak could be construed as heresy? Yes, I know, but there is no Hierophant here to scold me. Surely you have no interest in running to the Temple? Though I've little doubt they'd love to hear the tale."

     The Dreamer tilted his head to the right, his eyes narrowing. "What is this?"

     "Continue, please, Mr. Insel," said Elinge.

     "So say you and your former brethren." He hesitated a moment before beginning again in the same flat tone, "Some of this will make you uncomfortable, Dreamer, but it is truth I speak. And it was not so long ago that your very brethren would not have been so edgy around such talk. I've read my history. I should be careful discussing any books with that sort of knowledge so openly. The Temple has issued strict orders that the ecclesiastical histories of the Old Gods are to be removed."

     A look of consternation passed across the Dreamer's face as Mr. Insel continued. "Calm yourself, Master Trammer. I think the Countess is quite safe here in her own home. She's hand picked her company for this evening, and I suspect she wouldn't risk such talk if she believed any of us were the type to go running to the Temple of The Invincible Light with tales of heresy. Quite so. As my Count used to say: 'Faith has its place, but it is not in restricting thought or reason. They must have their places too.'"

     "Stop this."

     "Not just yet, Master Trammer. He's very nearly finished."

     "Well, I have my own reasons for being cautious. I expect you know my history, Countess? Indeed, I do. This is why you were among those chosen."

     "I see," said the Dreamer. "But what is the point of this little parlor trick?"

     Elinge smiled. "The point is that we are quite aware that you have fallen afoul of Temple authorities yourself. I expect you recanted heresies you may have uttered, or you would not be here rather than in a dungeon, or in The Dream already."

     "Yes, I recanted. And it is my duty to see that others do not fall into the same trap."

     "Which trap would that be? The trap of false belief? Or the trap of having to answer for those beliefs? Perhaps on threat of pain of torture?"

     The Dreamer sat in the nearest chair. "I do not wish to speak of this matter."

     "And I do not wish to hear of it. I merely wish for you to know that I am believer in facts – verifiable facts. Whatever philosophies or religious names one wants to put to them hold little interest for me. As a result, I want you to know that you are safe discussing any matter with us. During this investigation facts may appear. And if those facts do not jibe with some predetermined notions of what is or isn't acceptable, I will follow the facts, heresy or no."

     A look of relief crossed the Dreamer's face. "You really do mean that, don't you?"

     "I do, Master Trammer. On that you may rely. In the meantime, Mr. Insel and I will take our leave. We've much to do before Old Sol sets himself down for the night."

Chapter 8: The Carters

     The common room at the Carter's Rest Inn was once again beginning to gather a crowd. At least half a dozen patrons sat at the bar, and another dozen were scattered about at tables. The band was on the dais, tuning their instruments and setting out hats for donations. Ena Welman was tending the bar while a young man brought out plates of food from the kitchen. Tania milled about the room serving guests, though her mind clearly wasn't on her work.

     Jaik and Ham entered through the kitchen doorway from behind the bar, talking together. Jaik had been dismayed at the state of the body: missing eyes were bad enough, but a missing brain was disturbing beyond his understanding.

     "Well, it took you two long enough," said Ena.

     "Sorry, dear. Ham had some more questions for me, and the priests were being uncooperative."

     "We're plenty busy, as you can see, so here's your apron." She tossed it to her husband before giving him a wink and a smile. "It's back to the kitchen for me. They're falling behind in there already!"

     Jaik gave his wife a quick kiss on the cheek as she passed him and headed through the doorway. He put on the apron and started taking orders for drinks immediately. "You can go on up and check on the couple in twenty-two, if you want, Ham."

     Frayg thanked the innkeeper and made for the stairs. On his way he made a quick scan of the room, looking for a short woman with dark hair. If she's the one who murdered the boy, it's unlikely she'll return, he thought. And if she didn't do it, she's probably Passed herself, or else she's been captured by those who committed the deed. No one in the room matched the description Tania had given him, so he continued up the stairs.

     He reached the third floor and walked down the hallway. He knocked on the door to room twenty-two. There was a shuffling sound from inside, followed by a thump and what sounded like footsteps. After a minute or so, Frayg knocked again. There were more hurried footsteps and then a man's voice responded: "Just a moment, please!"

     After a few more seconds the door opened to reveal a man of about fifty. "What do you want?" The voice was the same as Frayg had heard through the door.

     "I'm sorry to disturb you," he began. "I'm Captain Hambelton Frayg of the City Watch. I'd like to ask you a few questions, if you wouldn't mind. May I come in, please?"

     The man turned away from the door and yelled. "It's a man here who says he's from the watch. Have you been up to no good again, love?"

     Another voice came from inside the room – this time a woman's. "Oh yes, dear. Didn't I tell you about the horses I've been stealing in the evenings? The watch is bound to be interested in that."

     Laughing, the old man turned back to Frayg. "Well come in, if you're going to." He opened the door.

     The room was furnished the same as room nineteen had been, with the added benefit of a small bar and a dressing screen. The woman's voice came from behind the screen: "Well, let him in, dear-heart. I may as well turn myself in now and save the watchman the trouble of a chase."

     Frayg was nonplussed. He stepped into the room and eyed the old man. He was tall and muscular for his age, with short-cropped gray hair and long mustaches. His well-tailored, knee-length black coat was unbuttoned.

     "Sorry Captain ... Frayg, was it?"

     "Er, yes."

     "Sorry, Captain Frayg. My wife and I have a little running joke between us. You see, after a long life of working hard and always living by society's rules we like to joke with one another that we're going to become dangerous bandits ... or perhaps pirates or horse thieves." He cocked his head to one side and gave Frayg a curious look.

     "I don't suppose a man of the City Watch finds such jokes to be funny, though. Please forgive a couple of old people their eccentricities." He reached a hand out to Frayg.

     "Oh, it's quite all right. I just wasn't expecting it, is all."

     "The name's Ignacious Carter – like the Inn. That's another little joke that Valsinna and I share. We Carters come to the Carter's Rest to rest, you see." 

     Soft laughter came from behind the screen, followed by Valsinna Carter. Her hair was gray like her husband's, but with a bit more white in it. She wore a fine gown of blue silk and a white lace shawl. She, too, was tall, and looked very well for her age, which appeared to be about the same as her husband's. She curtsied before Frayg.

     "Do forgive us, good Captain. You caught us dressing after our teatime nap."

     "No, it's er ..." Frayg stammered. "It's quite all right, Madam."

     "So what sort of questions does a fine, upstanding officer of the King's Justice such as yourself have for the likes of us?" asked Mr. Carter. "Does the watch need some goods hauled, or do you need help in acquiring some supplies? I've always had a fondness for government contracts. They do tend to pay well, if not always on time."

     "No, Mr. Carter. I'm afraid I'm here investigating a different matter. You are aware one of the other guests at this inn Passed into The Dream last night?"

     The Carters looked at one another with concern on their faces. "Yes. The young man down the hall. Someone Sent him, or so the rumor was. And there was a guard there this morning when we left."

     "Yes. That's what happened. Tell me, did either of you see the victim last night? Or hear anything?"

     "Well, we're not sure who the, er … victim was, so we may have seen him. As for hearing anything, I think everyone on the floor probably heard them."

     "Heard them, you say?"

     "Yes, well … there was quite a bit of noise coming from that room. We assumed either a young couple was having a fight, or they were getting very frisky, so to speak. You know … young people these days: you never know what they're getting up to."

     "I see. Then you didn't see anyone enter or leave the room?"

     "No. We retired early. The noise down the hall actually woke us from our sleep. I was going to go ask them to quiet down, but by the time I put my dressing gown on, the ruckus had subsided, so I just went back to bed."

     "Did you have dinner in the common room? Earlier in the evening, I mean?"

     "Yes, we did. We're getting on in years, but we still enjoy music and the occasional dance. When we're too tired to dance ourselves, we enjoy watching the younger people."

     "What he means to say," broke in Valsinna, "is that he still enjoys watching the young ladies dance." She laughed again. "He just doesn't think I notice."

     "Well, of course I know you notice. I'm just trying to make you jealous, dear." Mr. Carter winked at his wife and took her hand. They both sat on the bed. Mr. Carter motioned to the chair: "Please have a seat, Captain."

     Frayg turned the chair around and sat. He asked, "Do you mind if I have a bit of a smoke?"

     "Not at all, sir. In fact, I'll join you." He fished a briarwood pipe out of his pocket. "In fact I have some Borland Gold Leaf here, if you'd like a pinch?"

     "Thank you, Mr. Carter. I'd love some." After taking a pinch of the tobacco Frayg rose and lit a piece of tinder at the lamp which sat on he bed stand. After they'd both lit their pipes – Frayg had picked up another cheap clay pipe somewhere during the day – he seated himself again.

     "While you were in the common room, did you notice anything unusual? Did anyone stand out to you?"

     "After we ate, I was mostly enjoying the music and the drink. I didn't watch the crowd too closely."

     Mrs. Carter jabbed her husband playfully with her elbow. "You certainly paid enough mind to the serving girls."

     "Now, dear, you know it always pays to be polite to the help."

     "And what about that little thing with the tight green corset? How, exactly, did she help you?"

     "Now hush. I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about. Why, if I had half the roving eye you think I do, I'd have left you years ago."

     "As if anyone else would have you!"

     Frayg interrupted their playful argument. "A green corset, you say? A Very short woman with dark hair?"

     "Why, yes," replied Valsinna. "A very pretty girl, and well-dressed, too."

     "Was she with a young man?"

     "She was. She was dancing with him for most of the night. At least until we came to bed. After that, I don't know."

     "Can you describe the man?"

     "Well, he was rather tall and kind of lanky. I remember when he first came in – he had the air of an angry young man about him. I assumed he was upset about something and came in to drown his sorrows, or pick a fight. You know how men can be."

     Mr. Carter chided, "You certainly seemed to take notice of that young man. Now who's got a wandering eye, hmm?"

     "Did you notice anything else about him, Mrs. Carter?"

     "He had straw-colored hair and was dressed reasonably well – not as well as the girl he was dancing with, mind. They both seemed to drink a lot, too."

     "What were they drinking?"

     "Well, the young man drank from mugs, so I assume he was drinking ale. The girl was drinking wine. At one point they each had two drinks at once, so I guess they both had their something to forget."

     "Two at once?"

     "Yes. I think it was from a misunderstanding. He brought two mugs over to her, but she must have asked for wine, because he sat them down on the bench next to her and then brought back two wine glasses."

     "Did you hear what they were talking about?"

     "Oh, no. It was far to noisy for that. They sat in the back corner under the gallery, so I couldn't see them that well, either. I only noticed the boy because he seemed so angry before." She grabbed her husbands pipe from his hand and took a couple of puffs. "I was glad for him that he'd found a young lady to take his mind off his troubles. Otherwise, he'd have been in a fight as sure as I'm sitting here smoking."

     Mr. Carter said, "You seem pretty interested in that couple. Are they the ones from down the hall? Was the girl Sent into The Dream, too?"

     "No – at least, not as far as we know. Only the young man's remains were in the room."

     "So it was him then?" Mrs. Carter asked.

     "Yes, it sounds like it was him. He and the girl you describe went into the room together last night. But there's no sign of her now. Either she left late in the night, or some harm has come to her, as well, or ..." Frayg trailed off.

     "Do you think she was the one who did it, then?" She was surprisingly less scandalized at the prospect than Mrs. Welman had been.

     "I don't know. But I do want to find her. If either of you see her, please contact Mr. Welman immediately - or find a Watchman. Don't approach her yourself."

     "Do you think she's dangerous, then?"

     "I have my doubts. But if she is responsible for this, it wouldn't do to let her know we suspect her. We might never find her then."

     The Carters both nodded their agreement.

     "I take it you're staying through the festival?"

     "Yes, we are," said Mr. Carter.

     "And where are you coming from?"

     "Oh, we live out in a little village near Wollenstone. You've probably never heard of it. It's called Flaxford."

     "I can't say I have. That's a bit of a trip, though, isn't it? What makes you travel all this way for the Festival? Borland's a big city, and it would be much closer."

     "Oh, yes, well we've been to Borland many times. But, you see, Val is originally from around here. We first met thirty years ago during the Changeling Festival here in Ayrst. We're here for our anniversary as much as the festival."

     "Oh, I see." Frayg stood up. He shook both their hands and thanked Mr. Carter for the smoke. "Well, enjoy your celebration. I hope you don't mind if I return with more questions. I doubt that I will, but just in case?"

     "Oh, please do, Captain Frayg. We really do hope you find out who's responsible."

     After the Carter's door was closed behind him, Frayg went down the hall to room twenty. It was unlocked, so he went inside. This room, too, matched the  others for the most part. He went to the large windows, opened them, and stepped out onto the balcony. The balconies on this side of the inn overlooked the back alley and a smokehouse, as well as small terraces behind dwelling places. The nearby Cathedral Square was mostly blocked by the inn itself, but the third floor was high enough to see where the High Street looped around from the northeast corner of the Square. The River Ayrst could also be seen with the masts of the taller ships sticking up to show where the docks were on the other side of the High Street Bridge. 

     Frayg looked to his right. Yes, it would be easy for someone to climb from here to the balcony outside nineteen. He stepped over the railing and did just that. The windows to room nineteen still stood open. He examined the railings before he suddenly had another thought. He climbed back to room twenty's balcony and examined the railings. Then he climbed to room twenty-one's balcony and found what he was looking for. The wood on one of the railings was damaged here. Someone probably threw a climbing hook up here from the alleyway, and then climbed across. That means they wanted room nineteen specifically. Did they know who was there? Were they after a specific target, or would just any occupied room have done? Or did the girl use a hook and rope to make her escape? If she'd acted alone, then she would have had to have stashed the gear here ahead of time.

     Frayg went through room twenty-one and back into the inn. He headed downstairs and through the back kitchen door. The alleyway was dry – there hadn't been any rain for days. There were footprints, hoof prints, and wagon tracks everywhere. There's no way I'll be able to sort anything out of that mess, thought Frayg. Looking up at the balconies he could see that a strong enough man could probably throw a small hook high enough to reach them. He couldn't rule out either possibility, then. He sighed in frustration.

     He was about to go back inside, when he spotted something. There ... by the drainpipe. What is that? There, on one of the nails in one of the brackets holding the drainpipe in place were a few green fibers. He grabbed one of the crates and pushed it against the wall. Standing on that, he could just reach: there! He pulled the fibers down and examined them. Silk fibers, by the look of them. He went back inside.

     "Whatever are you doing back there?" Ena stood before him, hands on her hips. "Jaik said you ran past him and through here without a word, and when I didn't see you ..."

     "Where's Tania?" He cut her off.

     "She's out serving tables."

     "Good. I think I found something."

     He went into the common room, Ena in his wake. He spotted Tania serving mugs of ale to what looked to be a table of teamsters. As soon as she was finished, Ena motioned for her to come to the bar.

     "Hello again, Tania."

     "Captain Ham, sir."

     "The girl that went upstairs with the boy we were discussing earlier. You said she was wearing a very nice green corset?"

     "Yes. It was very pretty."

     "Do you think you'd remember the color, if you saw it again?"

     "I think so, yes."

     Frayg held the torn fibers before her. "Was it this color?"

     "Yes. That, or very close to it."

     "Thank you, Tania."

     Jaik and Ena looked at the fibers in Frayg's hands and then at each other.

     Ena swallowed, a sick look growing over her face. "Did you find the ... the girl?"

     "No," replied Frayg. "But, I think this proves she left through the window. I just don't know for sure whether she went on her own, or whether someone carried her down. It looks like someone used a hook and rope on the balcony outside room twenty-one, and then climbed over to nineteen. Either that, or she simply used that method of egress."

     "Well, if someone used a hook to climb out, wouldn't it still be there?"

     "If it were an ordinary hook, yes. But some ingenious burglars have created devices, using springs and such, that will unhook themselves." 

     Jaik and Ena looked at him in surprise.

     "I've seen a few of them down at the Watch House. They're not as strong as regular hooks, but they'll do the job ... and the woman in question was described as being small. I expect that means she climbed out on her own. Which means it's looking like she may have committed the crime herself. The only question is why? A simple robbery I could understand, but what would this young woman want with ... the other things?"

Chapter 7: The Note

     "I believe someone means to murder me," said the Countess.

     At this statement, Elinge raised an eyebrow. "What ever would make you believe that?"

     "I received a warning message." She drew a small paper from the folds of her dress. "This arrived for me two days after I had my dream. It was marked by the Post in Ayrst, so it must have been written before the dream, yet the note seems to have anticipated the dream."

     "How so? May I have a look?" Amelia handed the brief to Elinge.

     "Please, read it aloud. The others may as well hear it."

     Elinge read:

     They are not to be trusted. They will send you to The Dream. 

     Your only hope is in your Count's blood. Do not forsake the blood. 

     Beware the Willow and the Ash. They will be your End.

     "To whom have you spoken of your dream?" asked Elinge, furrowing her brows.

     "Before tonight, only to Nansi. Though in this house, I suppose Rikard or the twins may have overheard. One can never be sure one is alone in LaDuce Manor. The place is riddled with secrets, passages and spider-holes. There's really no telling what the children may have uncovered."

     "So you've brought us here to investigate, and to protect you."

     "Precisely. And I've already arranged for your fees to be paid two weeks in advance."

     "What if I don't want the job?" asked Mr. Insel.

     "Nonsense. You'll take the job. It's clear that Ms. Froske is intrigued, and I know where she goes, you'll follow."

     Mr. Insel pursed his lips. Elinge put a hand on his shoulder and whispered something in his ear, after which he sighed and crossed his muscular arms. "All right. We're here. We may as well see what we can find. But what about those two?" He nodded towards the hunter and the Dreamer.

     Amelia smiled. "Owerst Nandliss will help out of a sense of duty, as much as adventure. I suspect Master Trammer would remain for the sake of learning of the nature of my dreams. It's only you and Mistress Froske that I expect I would have to pay. However, I will pay you all the same. I think the four of you will do as well or better than any four people could."

     "If I'm to investigate," began Elinge, "I'll need full run of the house and grounds. And I'll need to be able to question anyone and expect truthful answers without reservation."

     "You will have all of those, with one exception. I need my rest. You are welcome into my personal chambers, should you need access, but you will make arrangements beforehand."

     "You do realize, Amelia, that such a condition immediately puts you in a suspicious light."

     "Of course I do, but you surely don't expect me to plan my own murder, do you? Besides, I am the Mistress of this Estate, and when I wish to rest, I simply will not be disturbed."

     "Then I don't suppose you'd mind if I examined your chambers now, as you're clearly not using them for rest at the present moment."

     "Please feel free." Amelia waved a dismissive hand. "We can all adjourn to my chambers now, if you wish." She began to rise, before Elinge stopped her.

     "That won't be necessary, Amelia. But I want you to know that once you've engaged my services, I won't be called off, no matter what I find."

     "That is why I chose you, Ms. Froske."

     "Well, that's settled then. We're in. And please, Amelia. If we're to be friends as you say, call me Elli."

     Owerst Nandliss rose and bowed to the Countess. "I am humbly at your service, Madam Countess. I consider it an honor to assist you."

     "Thank you, Owerst."

     He took his seat again.

     "And you, Merrik Trammer ... will you assist me, as well?"

     "Of course I will." The dreamer bowed his head where he sat.

     "Very well. Now, I expect you'll have some questions for me. I'll answer what I can tonight, and you can begin your investigations properly in the morning."

     Merrik Trammer began by stating that he hoped to find his first answers in sleep. Aerik Nandliss claimed that his answers would be found in examining the grounds by the light of day. Mr. Insel, as was his way, kept quiet. Only Elinge felt the need to ask questions immediately.

     "Tell me, Amelia, do you travel the grounds very much any more? Or, more to the point, when was the last time you went outside?"

     "Well, no, I don't really travel the grounds much. I doubt I could sit a horse for more than fifteen or twenty minutes without paying dearly for it later. I do spend evenings on the back terrace when the weather allows it. In fact, I spent an evening out there just last week. I'd like to get a few more evenings out there before the weather turns. I sometimes walk the gardens, though slowly. Other than that, I do not see the grounds, except at a distance or through a window."

     "Who else do you have working here, aside from Nansi and Rikard?"

     "No one, in the ordinary course of things. Many of the rooms are now shut up, as I have no use for them. The twins have the run of the place, except for the servants' quarters. We have some workers currently staying out at the garden house, but they're here only for as long as it takes to clear the wood, and they don't come up to the manor house."

     "Who hired them?"

     "I had Rikard do the hiring. He deals with the grounds. And Nansi takes care of the cooking and cleaning. The children help her when she can catch them."

     "I notice you refer to the twins as children. They are small, I admit, but I understand they're in their twenties."

     "Yes, well at my age you almost seem a child, Elli!" The old woman laughed. "But you are right. I suppose they are adults now. I've raised them as my own, however, and see them almost as my own children – especially since Elinora's Passing."

     "What about Rikard?"

     "What about him?"

     "He was of an age with your daughter. And you say his mother Passed into The Dream near the same time as she did. Do you not see him as your own, as well?"

     "No, I do not. He knew his true mother, if not his father. What has any of this to do with anything?"

     "Probably nothing, Amelia. But I like to get to know an environment very well – most especially the people in it and their relationships to one another – before I begin an investigation."

     "Yes, well Rikard has served me well enough since he's grown, I suppose, but as I said earlier, he needs minding, or he'd probably only lie about and get drunk every day."

     "And what about Nansi? How long has she been in your service?"

     "She's been here for … oh, I suppose seventeen or eighteen years. She was here during the Uprising, I remember that."

     "How old is she?"

     "Thirty-four."

     "So she's older than Rikard by, what? Six years?"

     "Yes, that's about right. She would have been about sixteen when she came to work here … Rikard would have been ten and Elinora nine."

     "So Nansi would have known Rikard's mother … what did you say her name was?"

     "Livinia. And yes, they would have worked together for about four years before Livinia Passed."

     "And what was the cause of Livinia's passing?"

     "The Doctor said it was failure of her heart."

     "And she was how old?"

     Amelia sighed with exasperation. "She was thirty-eight, I believe. What does it matter? Must you continue with these pointless questions?"

     "Please pardon me Countess, but I must reiterate that if I'm to conduct this investigation I must be able to expect answers – honest answers, mind you – to any questions I care to pose, no matter how irrelevant they may seem."

     "Fine then. How many more will there be?"

     "Many, many more. But, I'm nearly done for tonight. Just a few more, if you'd be so kind?"

     "Go on, then!"

     "And when Livinia had passed, how long had it been since the Count had Passed into The Dream?"

     "Six years."

     "So she was thirty-two then. Rikard was eight. And the Count … what? Thirty-six?"

     "Yes. You are correct on all their ages. And Elinora was seven, as I'm sure you'll ask that next. Jens and Jessa would have been about four or five, though, as I said, we're somewhat uncertain of their age."

     "And you, Countess. How old were you when your Count Passed?"

     "I was forty-eight. I was twelve years his senior. I'm now sixty-seven. Now is there or is there not a point to these incessant questions?"

     "Just background, Countess. It's all just background."

     "Well, I hope it helps, because it's quite tiresome, if you ask me."

     "My apologies, Amelia. One last question about Livinia, if you would be so kind … you made mention of her practice of visiting the village. Do you believe she had a specific gentleman she called on there? Or do you think her dalliances were of a more … diverse nature?"

     "I wouldn't know, I'm sure. I never asked her about what she did in her own time. I just know that it wasn't too long after she started visiting there that she discovered she was with child – and less than a year from then that he was born."

     "I see. Well, thank you for your patience, Amelia. I'm sorry to have burdened you. I assure you I wouldn't have done so if it weren't necessary."

     "I wouldn't go so far as to call it a burden, Elinge. I just don't understand the point. If you're quite finished?"

     "Yes well, for tonight, at least."

     "Of course. What about the rest of you? Do any of you feel like pestering a tired old woman with questions about her painful past?"

     The others all looked sullen. Elinge sat back in her chair, lost in thought.

     "Very well, then. If you don't mind, I wish to retire. You can all see yourselves to your rooms, I trust?"
     With that she rose and left her guests in the dining hall.

Chapter 6: The Maid

     Ayrst was a large city by any standard. As the capital of Palonias it was home to the Royal Residence at Ayrst castle as well as the Cathedral of the Invincible Light. It also housed the headquarters of all the Palonian armed forces and the Wizards College of Sol. It was built at the mouth of the River Ayrst, which also made it the de facto center of trade for much of the region. Due to its large population, the city had to be maintained with steadfast efficiency, or hundreds of thousands of people would starve. This meant there were myriad city services available to meet the needs of the citizenry: from alehouses and brothels, to educational facilities. Just about every industry one could name had a home here, as well: fishing, leather working, blacksmithing and shipbuilding. The people's religious needs were met primarily by the Temple of Invincible Light, which, aside from the Catheral of Light near the city's center contained many smaller temples scattered throughout the city. There were also numerous smaller churches which honored the Aspects (or, as the people commonly called them – no matter how persistently the Temple frowned on the practice – the Old Gods). 

     Hambelton Frayg winded his way through the crowds down Lyons' Wist and the High Street towards the Cathedral Square. The Great Cathedral itself was much closer to the Carter's Rest, but only the nobility had their Arrangements for Passing made there, and as the victim's identity was unknown, he would be offered no such honor.

     Frayg had spent most of his day making arrangements to have the body collected from the Carter's Rest and brought to the smaller temple. He then spent some time arguing with the local priest about how the body should be handled. The priest wanted to see to it that the corpse was properly prepared for its Sleep, so the young man's soul could Pass into The Dream. Frayg wanted the body chilled so that decay would slow down. The only thing keeping the priests from doing their job was the anonymity of the victim. There were ceremonies for honoring the anonymous dead, of course, but the Temple preferred to know who was being given into The Dream if at all possible. He had convinced the priest to give him a couple of days to try to ascertain an identity before he would begin, though it clearly bothered him to have to make such a compromise.

     Captain Frayg had fueled himself with nothing but tobacco and kaffea, so he was looking forward to returning to the Rest. He didn't eat there often, but Ena Welman was known as one of the better cooks in the Wall Street district.
     It seemed some news of the murder had spread, but few details. The general talk in the streets was that someone had been found robbed and murdered in a room at the Carter's Rest Inn. He'd convinced Commander Brylle to try to keep the gruesome nature of the crime quiet. There was no sense in starting idle speculation as to why the murderer would have chosen to take the boy's eyes, much less his brain. To what dark purpose might someone put a pair of eyes and a brain? Was it some form of witchcraft, or for a heretical ceremony? He didn't like to dwell on it, but he knew he had to think of every possibility if he was going to find the culprit.

     Just as he was about to enter the Inn, he heard a voice utter the words took his brain from the crowd. He quickly turned to survey the street. It was so crowded with people about their business – buying, selling, trading, gossiping – that it was impossible for him to tell who might have said it. He stood silently for several minutes: watching and listening. That's not a phrase one hears every day, he thought. Surely the details couldn't be out already! He sighed deeply, and turned around again, facing the Carter's Rest. He steeled himself and entered the inn's common room.

     The inn was warm and dark. There was a slightly smoky smell about it, as well as the smell of freshly-baked bread. He couldn't remember the place ever smelling so good. His mouth watered as he sat himself at the bar across from where Jaik was sweeping behind it. At the other end sat two older men mumbling to one another between sips from their mugs. Otherwise the place was empty as far as he could tell.

     "You must be preparing for a feast, Jaik!"

     "No more than usual. Ena thought it would do to bake up some extra loaves and scatter them about the inn. To cover the smell from earlier, y'see. I also let closed the fireplaces for a bit to keep some hickory smoke inside."

     "Well, it seems to have worked wonders. I've never felt so hungry in all my Waking Life!"

     "It only helps so much, of course. We've left the windows in room nineteen open, but you can still smell it when you get too close. Still, I don't expect we'll lose too much business, what with the Festival comin' up and all."

     "You're not worried that rumors of what happened might drive away business?"

     "Not really, no. Matter of fact, it seems the rumors have got us some attention. Today's was the busiest lunch we've had in a long time, and every other person what came in was askin' about what went on upstairs! This city's got a morbid streak, I tell ya. Especially the young people."

     Seeing the look of concern that passed over Frayg's face, Jaik immediately reassured him, "No worries, Ham. I didn't pass on any details. By all the hells, I'm not sure I even know all the details."

     "You don't, Jaik. And believe you me, that's just how you want it." He continued, "So, is the girl here?"

     "That she is. She's working the kitchen tonight, though I don't expect she'll get much done. Her mum said we ought to keep her busy – keep her mind off what she saw, you know – but I don't know if anything will wipe away such a sight from the poor girl's mind."

     Jaik tapped the bar in front of him before changing topics. "But from the look of you, I think we need to put something good in your belly before you talk to her. You're like to work yourself to death if you don't stop and eat on occasion."

     Frayg offered a sheepish grin. "I suppose you're right about that. Won't you bring me a loaf of that bread you've been baking, and some of whatever's roasting back there. Oh! And a mug of bitter, too. I'm as thirsty as I am hungry."

     Jaik Welman disappeared into the kitchens for a few minutes before he came back with a loaf of fresh bread and creamy butter. He placed it before Frayg and then pulled him a pint from one of the taps on the wall behind the bar.

     "You'll have to tell me what you think of this new bitter. Came straight in from Kraycia this morning." He handed the mug to Frayg, who had already begun attacking the loaf with gusto, and them watched as his friend took a long drink.

     "Ah! That really does hit the spot!"

     "Good to know. Gonna place another order for it next week. Depending on how it does tonight, I may double it!"

     Ena Welman came through the kitchen door bearing a large tray on which sat a small roast chicken with potatoes, carrots and leeks. "There he is! How're you doin' Ham? Jaik tells me you're not takin' time to eat."

     "Well, Ena, it's not often I get to eat so well, you know, so I don't normally have the right motivation." He grinned.

     "You've no excuse for that! You know you're always welcome here," she scolded, wagging a finger at him. She returned his smile with one of her own, before lowering her voice and turning a bit more serious. "I hear you've questions for us, and for poor Tania. Once you've done eating, come on back. We can talk in the storeroom."

     "Thanks, Ena."

     With that, she left the two old friends to talk of ales and politics.

     Jaik Welman and Captain Frayg entered the small storeroom off the kitchen in the back of the Carter's Rest. It was a dry, clean room, full of crates and kegs. There was a small desk in one corner where the Welmans kept their financial ledgers and books. Ena sat in the chair behind the desk, Tania in the one on the opposite side. Jaik closed the door behind them and stood with his back to it.

     Captain Frayg sat on the corner of a nearby crate. He reached out and took Tania's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

     "Hello, Tania. I'm Captain Hambelton Frayg of the City Watch. You can just call me Ham, though – most of my friends do."

     Tania smiled at Frayg through red-rimmed eyes. She was a pretty blonde girl of slender frame. Frayg put her age at about sixteen or seventeen. In her other hand she held a damp handkerchief, with which she'd been dabbing at the tears on her cheeks.

     "Hello, Cap- er, Ham." She smiled briefly at his silly name. "Pleased to meet you. Or well, I would be. I mean to say-"

     "Calm down, girl," said Ena from behind the desk. "Ham here knows what you mean."

     Frayg smiled and squeezed Tania's hand again. "Quite right. I'm pleased to meet you, Tania, though I, too, wish it were under more pleasant circumstances." Tania nodded.

     "Now, I understand you've had a very rough day," he continued. "Something very bad happened upstairs, and there's nothing we can do about that. But what we can do – and maybe you can help me with this – is find the people responsible and see to it that they never do anything like that again. And all I need you to do is answer a few questions. All of you, actually, so you're not in this alone, Tania. Do you understand me?"

     She nodded again, and he gave her a warm smile. "Good."

     "Now, Jaik here tells me you were the one to discover the young man's remains. You were going upstairs to clean the room, is that right?"

     "Yes, sir."

     "Good. I know this is going to be difficult for you, but would you please describe for me, in as much detail as you can remember, what happened this morning?"

     "Well, I was helping Mistress Welman with clearing up the kitchen from last night – we had a really busy night last night, you see – and she asked if I'd look at the rooms on the third floor. She told me we'd had a couple of guests stay over up there, and she needed me to see to checking whether they'd be wanting breakfast, or cleaning up, if they were leaving. I thought it was unusual, as we don't normally get many guests in the good rooms except during festivals."

     "How many rooms had you let last night?"

     "I don't rightly know, sir. Mistress Ena?" She trailed off.

     Jaik jumped in. "Only three, Ham. One was to the young man in nineteen. Room twenty was to a merchant and room twenty-two was to an older couple from out in the country. They say they're here a bit early for the Changeling Festival. There were other guests, too – in the communal rooms on the second floor – but those three were the only rooms we let on the third."

     "I suppose the merchant is gone by now?"

     "Oh yes. He was gone very early. Must have been up before Sol."

     "And his room? Twenty? It's right next to nineteen, yes?"

     "Yes."

     "And they share a common balcony?"

     "Well, not as such, but it wouldn't be hard for someone to climb from one to the other, if that's what you're thinking."

     "That's precisely what I'm thinking. Gah!  Why didn't I think to check that this morning? I'll need to go up and have another look after this."

     "Not a problem."

     "And the older couple – they're booked for the next week, I expect?"

     "Yes."

     "Good. I'd like to speak with them later, as well."

     Jaik nodded. "They're out now, but I expect they'll be back for dinner."

     Frayg turned his attention back to Tania. "Please continue."

     "Well, I took a bucket of water up with me, in case any of the guests wanted to wash. Nineteen was the first room I came to, so I knocked on the door. There was no answer, so I figured the guest must have been out already, but the door was locked. I had the key with me, though, so I put the bucket down and opened the door." Her eyes began to well with tears again.

     "It's all right, Tania. Take your time. But remember, the details are important. I know his is hard, but your help may help me save someone's life."

     Tania sniffed and dabbed at her eyes with the handkerchief. She took a deep breath and soldiered on: "The first thing I remember was the smell. It was awful. Then I saw the blood on the wall behind the bed, and when I ... when I looked at the bed itself ... Oh! It was so awful!"

     "Did you look any further?"

     "Yes. At first, I didn't understand what I was seeing ... I've never seen a ... a person who's Passed before. At least not before the Temple ... you know. Someone's body ... just lying there ... with them not in it any more ..." She began crying.

     Frayg patted her shoulder. "Did you notice anything peculiar about him? Did you recognize him?"

     She inhaled again. "No, just ... just the blood on his face. And his eyes were dark and pitted. I didn't go any closer, because I screamed and ran out of the room. I nearly tripped down the stairs ... I just had to get away from that room."

     "I understand. You say the eyes were pitted. What do you mean by that?"

     "I mean, they were half-closed, but they eyelids ... they sank in funny. And it looked like the eyes had gone ... all black? I only looked for a moment before I ran. Even with the window open, the smell was more than my stomach could handle. As soon as I got back down I ran out the kitchen door and puked in the alley."

     "I see. And let me ask you this" are you sure he even had eyes?"

     All the color drained from Tania's face. "By the gods ... that ... oh. That's why they looked ..." She swallowed. "Someone took his eyes, didn't they?" She put the kerchief over her face as though to block out the vision and the smell from inside her own thoughts.

     Jaik and Ena looked at each other, their eyes open wide, mouths agape.

     "That's why I didn't want anyone to go into the room after I left, Jaik," said Frayg. "I didn't want anyone to know the details. It's worse even that that. But I'll tell you more after the ladies have gone."

     Addressing all of them, he said, "Do any of you remember seeing him the night before? Do you have any idea who he was?"

     Ena said, "I was the one who let the room. I didn't pay him all that much mind. I made sure he had the coin to pay and gave him the key. I sent someone up with him ... it was you, wasn't it, Tania?"

     "Yes, it was," Tania replied. "I took them up to the room."

     "Them?" asked Frayg. "He was with someone?

     "Yes, there was a woman with him. She was very pretty – too pretty to be a working lady, if you take my meaning. And too well dressed. It was on account of her that I really didn't pay him much mind. But I didn't ask either of their names. It seemed improper."

     "Would you recognize the girl, if you ever saw her again?"

     "Oh yes, I would."

     "Would you describe her for me?"

     "Yes ... she had very dark hair and very dark eyes – dark like kaffea. She was thin and also short."

     "How old would you say she was?"

     "At first I thought she was a girl – maybe fifteen or sixteen – on account of her being so short. After I talked to them, I had a better look. I think she was probably quite older than me. Probably in her late twenties?"

     "And you say she was dressed well?"

     "Oh yes! She had on a beautiful green corset and a white blouse with lace at the neck and sleeves. Her skirt was a different, lighter green, but with stitching that matched the corset. I do remember thinking how I wished I could dress in something so nice."

     "Anything else? Any other details?"

     "No, sir."

     "Ena, did you see the woman with him?"

     "No, I did not. I run a respectable inn here. If I'd known he was taking a woman upstairs with who knows what intentions, I wouldn't have let him the room!"

     "Whatever his intentions were, you'll have to agree that it's quite possible the woman's intentions were far worse."

     Ena flushed. "You can't mean to say you think the young woman did such a thing ..."

     "I can't say I think she did, but you'll have to admit, as she was most likely the last person to see the victim in Waking, and as she was nowhere to be found this morning, she bears examination."

     Ena was scandalized at the very thought. "I've never heard of such a thing!"

     "I'm glad for you that you haven't," replied Frayg. "But trust me, I've met women who could behave every bit as brutally as any man. I think the difference is that when a woman does something violent, she tries to hide it. A man's as likely as not to brag about it later."

     "Men are fools."

     "We're all fools, Ena – some are just bigger fools than others. I expect this poor boy was a fool who was lured in by  a pretty face. Of course, until I can find the woman, it's unlikely we'll know whether she had any part to play in this tragedy. Are you all sure you'd never seen her before? Jaik, you would have been in the common room most of the night."

     "I was at that," said the burly innkeeper. "But we had music last night and the place was full to the gills of people drinking and dancing. I don't think I'd have picked anyone out of the crowd. Though ... come to think of it, there was an odd young man who asked for two glasses of wine. Most were drinking ale, so that stood out. I didn't see if he was with a woman though."

     "Would you recognize him?"

     "I might be able to."

     "Do you have time to come down to the temple with me? The one over on the Wall Street?"

     "That's a fair walk, and I have a lot to do here before to-night ..."

     "I'll hire us a wagon. It may be a waste of time, but if you could identify him, that might help."

     "All right, then. Let's make this quick."

     "Thanks Jaik. Ladies, I think that's all I need from you. I'll talk to the older couple after we get back. Thank you both for your time. Tania - I know what you've seen his difficult to deal with, and I know once the shock has worn off, you'll be wanting to talk about what you saw. Until I say different, please try to keep this under your aprons. We don't need idle talk causing a panic."

     The women both nodded, and Jaik opened the door. "I'll return Jaik to you as soon as possible."