Blood of the Fold

He tugged his sash straight. He didn't want to spoil his triumph with Lunetta's prattle. "She sees it wrong, and you know it. He thrust a finger at her. "I've spent more time than you've a right to, more time than you be worth, to see that you understand the nature of good and evil."

Lunetta stared at the floor. "Yes, my lord general, you have spent more time than I be worth. Forgive me. They be her words, not mine."

Brogan finally withdrew his glare and took the case from his belt. He set it down, giving it a nudge with a thumb to make it straight with the edge of the table as he sat once more. He put Lunetta's insolence from his mind as contemplated his next move.

He was about to call for dinner when he remembered that there was one more witness waiting. He had found what he had sought, there was no need for further questioning.. but it was always wise to be thorough.

"Ettore, bring in the next witness."

Brogan glared at Lunetta as she faded back against the wall. She had done well, but then she had spoiled it by provoking him. Though he knew it was the evil in her that bubbled up whenever she did right, it galled him that she didn't try harder to suppress its influence. Maybe he had been too kind to her of late; in a weak moment, wanting to share his joy, he had given her a pretty. Perhaps she look that to mean that he would let her get away with insolence. He would not.

Tobias ordered himself in his chair and folded his hands on the table, thinking again about his triumph, thinking about the prize of prizes. There was no need to.force a smile this time.

He was a bit startled to look up and see a young girl glide into the room ahead of the two guards. The old coat she wore dragged the ground. Behind the girl, between the guards, a squat old woman in a tattered wrap of brown blanket limped along with a rolling gait.

When the group came to a halt before the table, the girl smiled at him. "You've a very nice warm home, m'lord. We've enjoyed our day here. May we return your hospitality?"

The old woman added a smile of her own.

"I'm pleased you have had a chance to get warm, and would be grateful if you and your…" He lifted a questioning eyebrow.

"Grandmamma," the girl said.

"Yes, grandmamma. I would be grateful if you and your grandmamma would answer a few questions, that's all."

"Ann," the old woman said. "Questions, is it? Questions can be dangerous, m'lord."

"Dangerous?" Tobias rubbed two fingers over the furrows on his forehead. "I seek only the truth, madam. If you answer honestly, no harm will come to you. You have my word."

She grinned, showing the gaps where teeth were missing. "I meant for you, m'lord." She cackled softly to herself, then leaned toward him with a grim expression. "You might not like the answers, or pay heed to them."

Tobias waved off her concern. "You let me worry about that."

She straightened, smiling again. "If you wish, m'lord." She scratched the side of her nose. "What are your questions, then?"

Tobias leaned back, studying the woman's waiting eyes. "The Midlands has been in turmoil, of late, and we want to know if (he Keeper's minions have a hand in the strife shadowing the lands. Have you heard any of the council members speak against the Creator?"

"Councilors rarely come down to the market to discuss theology with old ladies, m'lord, nor would I suppose any would be so foolish as to publicly reveal any underworld connections, had they any."

"Well, what have you heard about what they have had to say?"

She lifted an eyebrow. "You wish to hear rumors from Stentor Street, m'lord? State which sort of rumor it is you would like to hear, and I can tell you one to fit your needs."

Tobias drummed his fingers on the table. "I am not interested in rumor, madam, simply the truth."

She nodded. "Of course you are, m'lord, and you shall have it. Sometimes, people can be interested in the most foolish of things."

He cleared his throat in annoyance. "I've heard any number of rumors already, and don't need any more. I need to know the truth of what has been going on in Aydindril. Why, I've even heard that the council has been executed, as well as the Mother Confessor.

Her narrow-eyed smile returned. "Then why wouldn't a man of your high status simply stop by the palace as he rode in, and ask to see the council? That would make more sense than dragging in all sort of people who would have no direct knowledge, and asking them. The truth would be better discerned with your own eyes, m'lord."

Brogan pressed his lips together. "I wasn't here when the rumors say the Mother Confessor was executed."

"Ahh, so it's the Mother Confessor you're interested in, then. Why didn't you simply say so, instead of going all round about? I heard dial she was beheaded, but I didn't see it. My granddaughter saw it though, didn't you my dear?"

The little girl nodded. "Yes, m'lord, saw it myself, I did. Chopped her head right off, they did."

Brogan made a show of sighing. "That was what I feared. She is dead, then."