Dark Vengeance Part 4 - Every Courtesy

The Castellan showed Loreyn into the ornate study, announced her, and closed the door behind her. Sir Tal rose from his desk and strode across the room and took her arm in the hand-on-wrist style Faelers used to greet each other. She grasped back, not missing that the gesture was normally reserved for equals. Sir Tal Amasor’s grip was firm, but not constraining. He had at least ten years on her, years that had been very kind to one who had seen so much of the world and its dangers. The story was that he had only retired to raise his daughter after his wife died from the coughing sickness. He looked as though he could walk out of here and lead a freeband. Or maybe an army.
“I apologize for keeping you waiting, Mistress Sovon. Castle business and all,” he said, smiling and making his way to a side table filled with various mugs, glasses, jugs and decanters. “Please have a seat,” he continued, indicating a comfortable leather chair facing the large fireplace.
“Thank you, sir,” she replied, swishing her divided skirts to one side and sitting down.
“I know you do not drink on duty, but is there anything I might get you? Water perhaps?” he said, pouring himself some dark liquid that she had to admit smelled delicious.
“I am fine, sir. Your Castellan showed me every courtesy already.”
“Indeed. He is quite indispensable. Squired for my father and now pretty much runs everything.”
“He gave me a short tour. But I did forget to ask, is the name Windhaven literal?”
“If by that do you mean, did it originally serve to block the wind? Yes. The site of the first motte and bailey was chosen to shield the occupants from the howling winds that come across the pass in the later months of the year.”
She nodded and he joined her by the fire in a matching chair.
“I assume you know why I am here, sir?”
“You were investigating the death of my daughter. For which I am supremely grateful, thank you.” Loreyn nodded slightly in acknowledgement.
“However, now that the culprits are known and the League has refused the King, I am not sure what is left for the Golden Hand to do.”
“Someone is killing the members of the freeband.”
“Freeblading is a dangerous business,” he observed, taking a sip of his drink. She noted that his expression had not changed, and he had not missed a beat.
“Methodically,” she added.
He set down his glass and rested his arms on the chair.
“You believe someone is seeking vengeance.” He had this way of speaking in conclusions, not asking questions. Most High Questors she had met were blunt instruments, possibly the result of one too many dings on the helmet. But this one…she would have to tread carefully.
“I have not yet drawn any conclusions. I am seeking facts.”
“And what facts do you hope to find here at Windhaven?” His tone was curious, not contentious.
“Obviously, if there were someone most interested in seeking vengeance, it would be yourself. I would be remiss in my duties if I did not interview you.”
“Are you going to ask me if I am killing these people?”
“No sir. If you were, you would not confess it, and it is pointless and rude to force someone to lie.” He nodded and smiled.
“Well said. So, how may I help you, Mistress Sovon?”
“It would strain credulity to believe that you would take no action whatsoever after the League refused extradition. I am curious what you might be doing to get justice for your daughter?”
“I have petitioned the King for a bounty on these men. I have also asked my comrades who are still active to be on the lookout for them, but as I understand it, they have disbanded and gone to ground.”
“They did do that, but it is irrelevant now. Only Krolum is still alive.” This was her third attempt to cause him to show some emotion or reaction to her words. A dead end.
“I cannot say I am sorry to hear that,” he said, picking his drink back up and taking a sip.
“I imagine you are not, sir.”
“So, if all but one of the members of this freeband are dead and the last is likely hiding in his father’s citadel, I am not sure why the King would keep an investigation active.”
There, she thought, now they were to it.
“There were survivors when this unknown person killed those men. These survivors described the killer as a knight in strange, high-wrought armor, who was the equal of several at once in combat.”
Sir Tal glanced over her shoulder and she turned to follow his gaze. A suit of polished lionplate stood in the corner of the room, glinting in the firelight.
“I have not put on my armor in several years.”
“It was not described as lionplate, sir. But rather as dark metal with foreign ornamentation and possibly enscorcelled.”
“I see.”
“What is keeping the investigation open is that this man is apparently still killing. The dead are all associated in some way with the Krolum Estate and now he is leaving no survivors. Nothing associated with that family can leave or enter Altanos safely.”
“And what is that to us exactly?” he said with a slight shrug. “That is as likely a Thormenalan rival using what happened as a cover to change the balance of power as some rogue vigilante.”
“Perhaps,” she mused. “Councilor Krolum has announced a reward of one thousand guilders for the killing or capture of the person they are calling “the Black Knight.” Every freeband for a hundred miles or more will be in the hunt soon, and your castle is likely to be the center of a storm of activity. The King is concerned that so many armed warriors in the pass and along the border could ignite something larger. We have been asked to take action to curtail such an event.”
For the first time since he sat down, he did not respond immediately to her. Instead he sat quietly, looking into the fire for a long moment.
“The King is a good man,” he said finally. “His concerns are valid.” He looked at her for another several heartbeats before standing. “Windhaven will stand ready to assist your efforts in every way possible.”
She knew this meant the interview was over. She stood as well.
“I thank you for your time, Sir Tal,” she said, tipping her head to him and heading for the door.
“I wish you the best in your investigation,” he said from behind her.
She paused at the door and turned to face him.
“If I uncover who this is, you will be the first to know,” she said. And left.
Read the epic conclusion to Dark Vengeance in Dark Vengeance Part 5 - Best Forgotten