Chapter 60: Base Empathics (1)

Chapter 60: Base Empathics (1)

As they broke camp the following morning, a figure appeared to the west. A man in a blue garment and a yellow hat, with a sharp goatee, rode out of the mountains on a mule.

The company was still forming as the man galloped toward them. Xerxes and Kashtiliash were again on rear guard duty, so they were among the first to see him coming.

Who the hell is this? Kashtiliash asked.

Xerxes checked the position of his sword on his back. My thoughts exactly.

The man neared. I need a meeting with the ranking officer!

His mule, surprisingly nimble and responsive, heeded his commands as he reined it to a stop just short of the heavy infantry units in the rearmost position.

Did you hear me? the yellow-robed man asked. Id like to talk to the person in charge.

State your name, Sergeant Stratos said.

Im Constable Daniyel from Urmia.

The sergeant just looked at him. Is that supposed to mean something to me?

Urmia, Daniyel said. The village on the other side of the Gateway complex.

Okay?

There was a murder, and I need to talk to your commanding officer about it.

Wait here. Ill go convey your request.

Stratos trotted up the line toward Gandash.

Meanwhile, Kashtiliash looked at Xerxes. Murder? the bearded mage said.

Xerxes lips tightened. Off to the side, Daniyel simply sat on his mule, casually studying the line of troops.

Stratos returned three minutes later.

The two mages and constable rode about fifteen cubits away, to where they could speak in relative privacy.

Whats this about, Constable? Gandash asked.

Daniyel smiled and rubbed the back of his neck with his kerchief. Im embarrassed to say that, after further investigation, I suspect someone from your company might have been involved in the death of the merchant.

Death? Or murder? Theres a distinction between the two.

The constable took a deep breath. Murder. In the initial chaos of the event, it was difficult to make heads or tails of what happened. After all, High Seer Tizqar visited at first light, when the shocking scene had just been discovered. There was a fight in the gambling hall a few hours before. Lots of stories to listen to. Now that I have a clearer idea of what happened, I fear that the merchant wasnt killed during the chaos of the brawl. He was killed at roughly the same time, except outside of the establishment. By a stranger. Or more precisely, two strangers.

Xerxes tried to keep his face as still as stone. A drifting breeze stirred robes, hair, and manes.

Do you have a physical description? Gandash asked.

I do. The two suspects wore garments similar to those worn by your men. Just now, I confirmed that your uniforms are blue and white, and that your men wear black girdles. The officers have a fringe on their garments, but witness testimony was conflicted as to whether or not the suspects had such an adornment. In any case, there were two assailants, one short, with a large nose, the other taller.

Fuck, Xerxes thought. FUCK.

Gandash turned and looked at him for a long moment. Xerxes held his gaze.

What else? Gandash said, returning his attention to the constable. How do you know it was a murder and not self-defense?

Truth be told, Daniyel said, I dont know. Thats why Id like to talk to the suspects. That said, given the circumstances, as well as details of the crime scene and witness testimony I didnt have access to when I first talked to High Seer Tizqar, Id say it's probable the killer, or killers, were not acting in self-defense.

Gandash sat atop his horse for a long moment as the breeze blew.

Then Daniyel lifted his finger and said, Oh. I almost forgot. One of the attackers was stabbed in the abdomen. It would have been quite bloody, I imagine. And painful. The kind of injury an Unsighted would probably die of. But a company as large as yours surely has Balatu mages that could heal such wounds.

His choice of words didnt go unnoticed by Gandash. Im not a fan of wordplay, Constable, he said. Are you leveling an accusation against me?

Daniyel ducked his head. Of course not, Captain Gandash.

You know something about magic. Thats not what I would expect of a village constable. Is it because you grew up near the Gateway?

I grew up in Puabi, actually. Served there as a teen, and as you might know, there are more mages there than any other city on Jehannemid. Anyway, I ended up in the capital later on. But I saw a bit too much blood and death, so I retired to the mountains, hoping to get away from it all. Guess the Pontifarch had other plans for me.

I see. Gandash closed his eyes for a moment. Opened them. Constable, please return to the rear of the line and wait with Sergeant Stratos.