Out of Their Depth by M R Cook

Author:M R Cook [Cook, M R]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-06-14T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

A CHOICE OF PATHS

Dawn was finally coming. The five had rotated watch in the common room with some of the other guests, resting as best they could between shifts. With the dark, rainy night giving way to a sullen gray twilight, the most devout guests at the inn began to slip out the door and make their way to the Ascension Service. Miri went to stand in the door to watch them go. “I don’t see any sign of them being slaughtered,” she said over her shoulder. “I guess we can stand down from our watch.”

Githwin gave a sigh of relief and went to check the kitchen. Lily and Daisy were trying to make bread, but their eyes were red and tears made glistening tracks in the flour that powdered their faces. The musician did his best to help, but his best was inept. To his relief and to the overall benefit of the baking process, Rose’s sister soon arrived. She wasted no time assuming command, shooing him from the kitchen.

On the way up to his room, Githwin passed the sheriff coming down stairs in a hurry, followed by four of his men. I wonder where the sheriff’s other men are hiding? Or lurking?

Probably watching Margaret. A shiver went down his spine. Gods, I hope she was not somehow involved last night.

Finding Varakai, Bunce, and Grimlok fast asleep, Githwin decided to chance the short walk to the baths. They were indeed open, as the steam rising from the hot pool indicated even at a distance. After a hot soak and a quick plunge into the cold pool, he dried off and put on his lawyer’s robes. It feels like I just washed away a night of horrors, he thought, heading back to the inn with a spring in his step.

Along the way, Githwin heard the town crier make the expected announcement that another inquest would be held at the second bell in the town square. Which gives me just enough time to talk with the children's aunt, and if she agrees...

Nearing the announced time, Githwin and his companions joined most of the townsfolk in the square. Two shrouded bodies had been laid out near the well. Henry stood beside Githwin at the back of the crowd. As the temple bells tolled twice, Mayor Bardo arrived with Father Martin and the sheriff. The mayor looked pale in the morning sun as he plodded across the square to mount the short stone wall.

Father Martin had dark rings under his eyes, but appeared otherwise alert, offering smiles and reassurances as he passed through the crowd. “It is a new day. Arathan has risen,” he said, often. Townsfolk clasped forearms with him and signed to the sky, then stepped back to make room for the large man last in line: the sheriff, stomping along with brows roiling like thunderclouds, hands clenching and unclenching.

Githwin craned his neck and scanned the square for Margaret; the blood was pounding in his temples before he caught sight of her by the stables, Sir Robert at her side.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.