The Inquisitives [3] Legacy of the Wolves
Page 31
Andri looked thoughtful. Finally he nodded. “That would explain why he wanted me to kill him. He realized the monster he had become, and knew his only redemption lay in sacrificing himself.”
Or he just didn’t relish the idea of burning at the stake, Greddark thought, but he held his peace. Let the paladin believe Maellas had repented at the last—the boy could use a happy ending. And who was he to say that Andri was wrong? Stranger things had happened, some of them just since he’d taken this case.
“How is Irulan?” he asked.
The paladin had intended to contact her via speaking stone once he finished with the Diet. Greddark wondered if that conversation had been any more pleasant.
“She is well. The healers say she should be back to hunting and tracking in another day or so. And Javi is recovering from his burns, albeit back in the dungeons. Hopefully his stay will be a little shorter this time.”
Greddark didn’t know quite how to broach the next subject.
“About Javi … you know Irulan—”
“I know,” the paladin said quietly, not looking at him. Maellas’s execution was supposed to have been a secret, but Javi Silverclaw and the other newly-freed shifters had known exactly where to find them, and how to bypass the guards along the way. It didn’t take an inquisitive to figure out that Irulan must have been the one who tipped them off. Apparently, the Mark of Justice only prevented them from revealing Maellas’s identity, not where he was going to be. Either that, or Irulan had judged the payout to be worth the pain.
“Maybe it was an accident, a slip of the tongue. She couldn’t have known—”
“No.” Andri shook his head. When he looked up at the dwarf, his brown eyes sparkled. “She knew.”
Greddark felt sorry for the young paladin. It was obvious he cared for the shifter woman, and just as obvious that her treachery had wounded him deeply, perhaps beyond hope of repair. But Greddark could understand why Irulan had done it—ultimately, she didn’t trust the Church to see justice done. And it was that lack of faith in the Church Andri served that hurt him the most. In the paladin’s eyes, she hadn’t just betrayed him, she’d done something far worse—betrayed the Flame. It was an egregious sin, one that fledging feelings would be hard-pressed to conquer.
But the shifter was stubborn. Greddark wondered if he should tell Andri that she had a new totem braid, this one dedicated to the paladin. No. Knowing Irulan, Andri would find out for himself, soon enough.
He took a sip from his tea, lamenting again that they were not having this conversation in the City of Spires. But the biscuits were better here, buttery and bursting with chunks of tart silverfruit. He supposed he shouldn’t complain.
“I never did thank you for paying off that bounty hunter. Or being willing to, anyway, since we got the money back. But, still, it was a nice gesture.”
Andri looked grateful for the change of subject. “Did you tell your employer about Pater’s people, or how Ostra is helping them?”
“Of course not,” Greddark huffed, scratching his freshly-trimmed beard in irritation. “I gave you my word.”
The paladin smiled to show he meant no offense. “Then that’s all the thanks I need.”
Greddark nodded. Fair enough.
“Well, then. I just have one more question for you. Ever thought of becoming an inquisitive? I don’t usually work with partners, but I’d make an exception for you. You’ve got the knack.” He grinned. “D’Kundarak and Aeyliros. It has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”
Andri laughed.
“Indeed it does, friend dwarf. Indeed it does.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Marsheila (Marcy) Rockwell is a Rhysling-nominated poet and author of over fifty published short stories and poems. She lives in sunny Arizona with her Naval officer husband, two sons, the requisite dog and cat, a large collection of Wonder Woman statues, and far too many books. She sold her first story to Marion Zimmer Bradley back in 1995. A little over ten years later, she signed the contract with Wizards of the Coast for her first novel, Legacy of Wolves.
To find out what she’s up to now, check out her author topic at worldsofdnd.com/forum or visit her blog at
biodegradable.blogspot.com.
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