Erosan's Tears

by Jason Scott Gleason

  “Oh, relax. I’ve patched you up too many times to be worried about seeing that. Of course, the men of the First might feel differently.” She turned and walked away, adding, “I’ll get you some clothes.”

  After she had left, Gray looked at him. “Okay, Rae. It’s time to give me the details, before that stuff gets you so messed up you forget how to talk. You need to tell me what you’ve figured out, and what I have to do. What’s the plan?”

  Raelyn started talking.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The sun was coming up over the bay, casting a golden brilliance on the trees of the Garden District. Raelyn heard the birds calling to each other, blissfully circling over the turmoil in the city below. He heard gulls off at the Wharf District, smelled the salt breeze blowing from the Bay of Galavan. He closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying this moment, this morning. This may be the last time I smell the morning here. It smells like home.

  “Sir?” the guard asked, gesturing to the entrance of the gatehouse. Raelyn remembered himself, remembered why he was here. He wished for a moment that he could go back two weeks, to when before all of this had happened. Before I was wounded. When Astal was just Astal. Before I found out about Perinor and Callais. When Trevan was still alive.

  As he walked through the grounds of the estate, Raelyn found his mind wandering. He remembered being a child, climbing the Wisteria Bridge, wondering about the lives of the men and women who lived on the other side. He remembered when he was taken in by Perinor, taught to fence by his old swordmain. He remembered meeting Astal, a serious, studious boy, only seven years old. His first days in the Regulars, when Lord Perinor’s recommendation ensured him a post at Northkeep where he would be able to see action, have a chance at promotion. His assignment to the First, and then Mardal’s subsequent assignment there. The days on campaign with Perinor, as a scout and lieutenant in Perinor’s Knaves. They had felt like a family then—Perinor, Mardal, Astal, and him. And a handful of other brave men, willing to endure the elements and the enemy, striking deep into their territory, raiding by surprise and stealing away into the night. They had felt like the family Raelyn had never had. He would have given his life for any of them, a hundred times over.

  You’re dying, a voice inside his head told him. It wasn’t his voice.

  “I know,” he replied. The guard who was escorting him looked at him, worried. He felt the ground rocking, like the deck of a ship. He was led into the great hall.

  “Lord Elotarn will be with you shortly,” the guard told him before stepping off to the side. He kept looking over at Raelyn, as if there was something terribly wrong.

  Raelyn looked around. He remembered sitting at the banquet table, next to Jethu. He walked over and sat in the same place. It seems like a lifetime ago, he thought. His shoulder started itching. He wanted to scratch it, but he knew he couldn’t. Back then I trusted them all—Perinor, Elotarn, Fethan, Trevan. Everyone except Rennard. He was the only one who I thought might be involved in some kind of sinister scheme. Of course, he does have his hand in everything, so I shouldn’t be surprised about him. But still—Perinor? He was starting to get irritated, and his shoulder was itching worse. He shifted uncomfortably. Damn it, Teldra, couldn’t you have used something on my shoulder that wouldn’t itch so terribly?

  He stopped himself, and noticed that the rocking sensation had gone. So had the fuzzy feeling. The second draught must have started to take effect, he thought. I hope Lord Elotarn comes soon. I’d hate for him to keep me waiting until this has worn off, and then find me a slobbering mess, dying in his great hall. The image was almost laughable—except for the death part. He somehow still found it amusing. I’ve spent too many years cheating Athon to complain. She’ll come to me in her own time, and I’ll thank her for all she’s given me. Of course, “her own time” will probably be this afternoon. He touched his thumb to his forehead in silent salute to the Lady of Death, and then gave thanks to Thelorin and Erosan for blessing him so often.

  It wasn’t long before Lord Elotarn strode into the hall, with Chadin, his master at arms. Damn it, Raelyn thought. Chadin might make this difficult. He could pick me apart, even if I wasn’t injured; he’d slaughter me in this state.

  Lord Elotarn was dressed for the day, although Raelyn guessed he had done so hastily. He had on hose and boots and a doublet, but many of the other accents of his station were missing. His family sword, however, was on his hip. He looked upset as he walked towards Raelyn. Raelyn stood, and managed a small bow.

  “Good gods, Raelyn. What has happened to you? You look half dead!” Lord Elotarn stopped short of Raelyn. Chadin stood just behind him and to his right. In perfect position to defend his lord, Raelyn thought.

  “My lord,” Raelyn began, “I bring terrible news. Sir Corlwyn and I, as well as the Council of Lords, have been deceived. The assassin that has been wreaking havoc on the city has taken great pains to shift the blame elsewhere.”

  “I have received ill reports,” Lord Elotarn looked at Raelyn suspiciously. “There are those who accuse you of conspiring with the master rogue Gray. It is said by many that you are behind these killings, that my faith in you was misplaced.”

  “Lord, I assume that one of these people was Sir Corlwyn. It’s known that he bears no love for me. Am I correct?” Lord Elotarn nodded. “And yet, a few hours ago I was in Sir Corlwyn’s custody, being interrogated.” He didn’t want to go into the details. “It was there where I received these injuries. I was able to convince Sir Corlwyn, whom everyone in the city knows has no faith and trust in me, of my innocence. He provided me with an escort to the Temple of Erosan, without which I would never have gotten into the Garden District. But I’m sure the men of the First have already sent a runner to inform you of this.”

  “Yes,” he replied, his eyes still suspicious. “He arrived about an hour ago. I was told that you were gravely wounded, and that the Men of the Watch who were escorting you bore the baton of the Gatehouse. I doubt that any but Sir Corlwyn would release the baton to you, but I could not fathom why he would do so.”

  “It is because I am innocent, my lord,” Raelyn replied. “I was sent to the Temple of Erosan to recover from my injuries, but I could not rest until I warned you. You have placed a great deal of trust and faith in me, and there is nobody else in the city I could talk to in order to clear the names of the wrongfully accused. And to stop the killings.”

  Raelyn tensed, wondering if Lord Elotarn would listen to him. He was looking at Raelyn doubtfully, but finally said, “I do not believe that Sir Corlwyn would release you unless he was convinced of your innocence. But he is not the only person whom you must convince. Too many men have made accusations against you, and the evidence is damning.”

  “I’m sure it is,” he countered, “but you permitted me to investigate Sir Aertis’s death because you believed in me. That is why you gave me the writs, from the most powerful man in the city. Lord Perinor put his faith in me because he knows that I am not like most men, easily persuaded by faulty arguments. I hold my judgment until logic has proven the culprit. And in this case, I have figured out who the assassin is.”

  Lord Elotarn narrowed his eyes, and an eager expression crossed his face. “Are you sure of this?” he asked. “Are you certain you have discovered who the killer is?”

  “I am,” he said, looking at Lord Elotarn gravely. “But we must speak in private. This matter involves some of the most powerful and influential men in the city, including a member of the Council of Lords. And over the course of this investigation, I have discovered a number of spies. I do not know how many others are involved, but I must assume that there are other spies out there, perhaps even in your own household.” Raelyn looked at Chadin, who had a blank look on his face. “I mean no disrespect, sir.” Chadin’s face was impassive. I only look that way when I don’t want to show how upset I am, Raelyn thought.

  Elotarn looked to Chadin, then back to Raelyn. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, then looked at Chadin ag
ain. “Chadin, I will see Raelyn in my study. I will speak with him in private, but I would like for you to stand guard at the door. See to it that that no one disturbs us. If what Raelyn says is true, anyone could be involved in this conspiracy.”

  Chadin gave a slight bow of his head, and said, “As my lord commands.” He looked at Raelyn, and Raelyn caught a glimpse of a warning in that look.

  They turned, and Chadin led them through the manor’s hallways towards Lord Elotarn’s study. I’m sure he’ll be listening in at the door, to make sure there will be no violence, Raelyn thought. Then he thought of Gray. I hope Gray can still make his grand entrance, even with Chadin there.

  When they reached the study, Elotarn ushered Raelyn in, closing the door behind them. A second door into the room was open, and Raelyn could see Lord Elotarn’s bed chamber through the door. The lord closed that door as well. Rich tapestries adorned the walls, and a table and three chairs sat in the center of the room, with a desk off to the side. There were no windows. Raelyn was suddenly worried. No windows, only two ways in and out. Gray will have a hard time of it. Was this a mistake?

  “Now,” Lord Elotarn said, looking at Raelyn, “you can speak freely.”

  Raelyn closed his eyes for a moment, saying a silent prayer. Thelorin protect me, Erosan preserve me, Aletharin forgive me, and Moradarn, I put myself in your hands. May I be your servant, and may I live on forever in the glory of your kingdom. He opened his eyes, then brought his hand up to his shoulder. I’m already dead.

  “Are you feeling alright?” Lord Elotarn was asking him, pulling up a chair. “Would you like to sit?”

  “No, my lord,” he replied. “I prefer to stand. But I know that what I am about to tell you will be quite upsetting to you, and I do not relish being the bearer of bad news.”

  Lord Elotarn’s expression changed, ever so slightly. “I see,” he said. Raelyn wasn’t sure that he did. “Then perhaps I should sit?”

  “As you like, my lord,” Raelyn replied. His shoulder was beginning to hurt, the dull throb coming back. I wish I had more of that flower juice, he thought.

  Lord Elotarn walked around to the other side of the table, resting his hands on it as if to brace himself for the bad news. “Continue,” he said.

  “My lord, I have had reason to suspect for quite some time that the man behind the killings has been Lord Rennard.” Raelyn saw a mix of emotions cross Elotarn’s face. “It is well known that he is associated with criminal elements in the city, and I have discovered that he has been working with Karduk. It has been my suspicion that he was working to frame Gray for the killings to draw attention away from himself.”

  Elotarn seemed relieved. “That truly is terrible news,” he said.

  “Yes, my lord, but it’s worse than just that,” Raelyn continued. “It seems a member of your own household has been in league with Lord Rennard.”

  Lord Elotarn’s eyebrows raised at this. “A member of my household, you say?” he asked dubiously. “I would like to know who this man is, accused of working with Lord Rennard, and what evidence you might have against him.”

  I bet you would, Raelyn thought, keeping his face straight. His shoulder was starting to hurt more, and he was starting to feel light headed again. Aloud he said, “It is your seneschal, Fethan. He and Trevan met with Lord Rennard on the night when the lords convened at Lord Perinor’s house. When you were going over the plans for dealing with the riots, the three of them were conspicuously absent. Later, when I discovered that Trevan was trying to have me killed, I pieced it together. Fethan was part of the conspiracy to frame Gray, and bring me down along with him.”

  Elotarn smiled uneasily. “Now I understand, Raelyn,” he replied. “Sir Corlwyn had brought us news that Gray was the assassin—which even you said was most likely true. Lord Rennard spoke with both Fethan and Trevan that night, to inform both myself and Lord Perinor of your complicity in these killings. Naturally, neither I nor Lord Perinor believed him, but Trevan took matters into his own hands. It was a tragedy that he did so, and I fear Lord Perinor may never recover from the loss.” He looked at Raelyn sympathetically. “You had no choice but to act as you did. I am sure Aletharin will grant you mercy for this.”

  The words stung Raelyn, but he let it go. You have no idea how bad it hurts. Aletharin may forgive me, but Perinor never will.

  Elotarn continued. “But, back to the matter at hand. You are certain that Gray is not the assassin?” he asked.

  “Yes,” Raelyn replied.

  “And you have evidence of Lord Rennard’s wrongdoing?” Elotarn was looking at him imperiously. Like a King addressing one of his subjects, Raelyn thought. Or a First High Lord, who would see himself crowned King if he could.

  “I do,” Raelyn said. “Jander Westford, who bore witness that Gray fled the scene of Jonan Horwick’s murder, was paid off by Rennard. He has taken a leave of absence from his position as a clerk, and soon expects to become a member of Rennard’s household. Gray has been at war with Karduk, and Rennard thought that framing Gray for the killings would take out Karduk’s biggest rival. He is at the heart of the conspiracy to make everyone think that Gray is behind all of this.”

  Lord Elotarn stepped to his desk and sat, drawing out a quill and leaf of parchment. He began to write. “I am drafting a writ of summons for Lord Rennard, as well as for Jander Westford. Once they are here, we will question them separately about these claims. I pray that you have strong evidence to support this claim. I will also instruct the First to go door to door, to stop at nothing to capture or kill Karduk, and finally bring this assassin to justice.”

  “Karduk’s not the assassin,” Raelyn said. Lord Elotarn stopped writing, but didn’t look up. “And Rennard isn’t behind the killings.”

  “What do you mean, Raelyn?” Lord Elotarn asked. His voice had suddenly grown cold.

  “I told you that I suspected him for a while,” Raelyn replied. “He certainly was behind the conspiracy to frame Gray. But I was wrong about him being behind the killings, and Karduk certainly isn’t the assassin.”

  Lord Elotarn looked up at Raelyn. Raelyn could still see the first writ of summons, half finished under his hand. It was for Lord Rennard.

  “Then who is?” he asked. His voice was distant.

  “My lord, the assassin is a member of your household. Katest Illia.”

  Lord Elotarn didn’t respond for a long moment. This is it, Raelyn thought. If Elotarn won’t listen to me, everything’s lost. He tried to take a deep breath, but the pain made him swoon.

  Finally, Lord Elotarn spoke. “Do you have proof of this?” he asked.

  Raelyn nodded. “She comes from House Katest, which is known for training assassins. She is skilled with a rapier, the assassin’s chosen weapon. She knew what she was looking for when she ransacked Sir Aertis’s home, and while the entire city was afraid of an assassin, she was able to stab Sir Jonan from the front, taking him completely by surprise. Moreover, if you check, I’m sure you’ll find a wound from where Lord Corbin managed to cut her.”

  Lord Elotarn nodded slowly. “Who else knows your theory?” he asked. “Who else have you told about this?”

  That’s it, Raelyn thought. When I told you I thought it was Rennard, you wanted details. I tell you it’s Illia, and you want to make sure everyone hasn’t already found out. He leveled his gaze at Lord Elotarn. “The only person I’ve spoken with about it is Gray,” he said. He hoped Gray was in position to listen in to the conversation. It would be bad if you were late this time.

  “I see,” replied Lord Elotarn. “So the only people in the city who know she is the killer are you and a known rogue, who is suspected of being the murderer himself?” Raelyn felt the tension rising in the air.

  “And you, my lord.” Raelyn took a deep breath, in spite of the pain. Erosan preserve me. “I know that you know. And Fethan, too, I suspect. I know why she’s been doing it, my lord. I know about your plan to sell your land in the Wharf District to Lord Rennard, and th
en have the city seize the land. I also know about your plan to use the First to impose martial law on the city, to grab power for yourself. And I see how well it’s working.”

  Lord Elotarn looked at Raelyn skeptically. “What proof do you have of any of this? These are dangerous allegations you make, Raelyn.” His voice was low, soft, filled with deadly menace.

  “You can drop the pretense, my lord,” Raelyn said. He was in pain, but for some reason, now that it was out in the open, he wasn’t afraid anymore. “Everything I needed to figure it out is all right there. You have what you need to marginalize Rennard, you’ve subjugated the Coscan population, you’ve set yourself up to be the first king of Galavan’s Port since Galavan. Your only mistake was in letting Rennard frame Gray, and try to take me down with him. If I hadn’t seen Fethan working with Rennard, I never would have connected it back to you.”

  Lord Elotarn looked at Raelyn for a few moments, his brow creased. Raelyn waited, patiently. I’m out of options, he thought to himself. But it doesn’t matter. I’m already dead.

  Finally, Elotarn turned and walked back over to his desk, picking up a glass and a decanter of brandy. He poured himself a glass and took a swallow.

  “Very well done,” he finally said, smiling. “While everyone else in the city has been busy running in circles, pointing fingers at one another, you have actually figured out who the killer is.”

  “And who was behind the murders,” Raelyn added.

  Lord Elotarn nodded. “Yes,” he said, “and who was behind them. When we last met, I was sure you were convinced it was Gray. When Lord Rennard suggested it could be him, I let him pursue that as far as he liked.”

  “I thought it was, at first,” Raelyn replied. “But too many things didn’t add up. When things start to fall apart like they have been for the past week or so, everyone scrambles to keep the house from falling in. They take their lumps like good soldiers. But you weren’t taking your lumps—weren’t even getting hit. Everything ended up falling in your favor. And I started wondering why.