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Jaret gaped at his captors, stunned at the accusation. "You can’t possibly be serious! I would never raise my blade against a defenseless lady, and in any case, I don’t have my dueling weapons anymore. They were lost in battle some months ago." "Of course they were." the guard sneered. "Most likely you’re returning from tossing them into one of the canals. It won’t help you." Jaret’s eyes narrowed. "I’m finding you deaf to reason, dutyman, but I must try again. I would never, never harm a lady. Anyone who has any familiarity with me at all would know this." "We do." A new voice came from past the tall guard’s shoulder, who spun around to see who it was. The man walking toward them was in the Purple Dragon uniform, but the golden embroidery on his cuffs marked him as one of the lieutenants of the Purple Dragons stationed in Marsember. He was an older man, and his blocky features hinted at a rough history. His eyes were fixed on the tall guard, and the corners of his mouth were turned down in displeasure. "Any Purple Dragon who paid any attention to his briefings would have recognized you instantly, Jaret Malkier, and would have allowed you to pass on your way. Lycatrian, release him. Now." "Yes, Lieutenant Adiethian." The tall guard looked at the two Dragons who were now dubiously holding Jaret’s arms somewhat lower than before against his back. "You heard him. Let the fop go." The guards let Jaret’s arms go and backed away from him uneasily. Jaret took a step towards the tall guard. "I have pressing business elsewhere, dutyman, and must leave Marsember before first light. I want you to know this, because it’s the only thing keeping you from the same embarrassing fate as Jystal Hartford." He turned and faced the lieutenant. "Sir, thank you for your intervention here. It is good to know that there are still those in the Purple Dragons who hold themselves to a code of honor." The lieutenant nodded, his face grave. "If you would, please, stay a moment." He turned back to the tall guard. "Lycatrian, what happened here." The tall guardsman told the officer about the body, their analysis of the wounds, and Jaret’s abrupt arrival on the scene. After the guard was done explaining, the lieutenant looked back to Jaret. "I understand you are on your way out of Marsember, but there are matters I would like to discuss with you. May I walk with you to the gate?" Jaret chanced a quick glance to the east, and saw that the day’s light was just beginning to turn the sky from black. "Of course, lieutenant, but I cannot tarry long." "Well, by all means, let us be on our way then." The two started to walk to the gate, leaving the guardsmen behind them, the tall one still glaring at Jaret’s departing back. Adiethian started talking first. "We got word from our men in Wheloon that a murderer had escaped them there, and that he may be headed here. Lady Skatterhawks’s death tonight gruesomely confirms that suspicion. However, we had just gotten the first warning horn of the slaying when our wizards came to us, saying that they think that the killer has already left Marsember, and is heading east, towards Suzail, where Azoun is holding court. "Jaret Malkier, " he continued, "we have seen you about the city for some time, and if it wasn’t for your... shall we say, flamboyancy, you would have been approached to join the Purple Dragons as an officer many years ago. As it is, there have been talks about asking you to join the Dragons in a less official capacity. Captain Strongarm has held himself neutral in these debates, but we know he holds your abilities in some regard. I feel that meeting you tonight was the best stroke of luck we’ve had yet. You’re a skilled enough swordsman that you should be able to defeat this assassin. For the past year or so we’ve been authorized to deputize you, and a few others, in the case of dire emergency. With the killer’s apparent destination of Suzail, I feel this qualifies as a dire threat to the safety of the Crown. Will you seek out and defeat this killer, before he takes another innocent life?" Jaret solemnly nodded. "I encountered your men tonight as I was seeking out a direction. I think this is fair enough sign of where I should be going. I accept this honor, Lieutenant ." Adiethian grinned, and withdrew a signed writ from the pouch at his side. "I was counting on it, Deputy Malkier. This is your proof of office, should any question you in your duties." He looked at Jaret’s unladen belt and frowned. "If you don’t have time to stop by your villa on the way to Suzail, I’ll gladly lend you my sword. It’s not magical, but it is of good craftsmanship, and will serve you well." Jaret shook his head. "I fear I cannot elaborate on my pre-existing directives as well as you might wish, Lieutenant Adiethian, but I can take no weapon with me from this city larger than my eating knife." The lieutenant stared at Jaret. "Pardon me for saying this, but have you gone barking mad? This isn’t just a gutter thugling who just picked up a sword in the last tenday! I hope you understand I mean no slight to your skills, but they’re not worth year old piss if you don’t have any sort of weapon to defend yourself with!" The unexpected turns of phrase caught Jaret off guard, but he reluctantly shook his head. "As I said, lieutenant, I feel I cannot elaborate on my instructions as much as you might wish, but I do have them, and they are quite binding." They were nearing the gate, and Adiethian slowed his pace. "Well, I can’t say I’m pleased to hear that Deputy Malkier. That’s not very good news at all. But, mostly since I have no choice, I’ll go along with it." He fixed Jaret with a hard look. "Just get a weapon of some type belted to your side as soon as you get a chance, all right? This man you’re looking for isn’t likely to be as sympathetic with your mysterious vows as I am. Now get through that gate, the sun’s about to come up" Jaret looked back to the east, and was startled to find the dawn mere moments away. "Thank you for your faith, lieutenant. I won’t fail you." With that, he sprinted toward the city gate which was being hauled open by some bleary-eyed guardsmen. "I hope you don’t disappoint me, Malkier," Adiethian murmured. "May the gods watch over your path, and protect you from the worst of your foolishness." |
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