Xandilif rolled her shoulders and rose, her manner immediately growing colder yet more explosive. "Hello Caine...what is this about another girl being found…?”
Nethrida rose as well, her manner businesslike. “Found you say? By that I assume you mean found deceased?”
The man looked at Neth, noting her uniform. "Deceased? Sadly yes....in much the same condition as....” He paused, catching himself. “I'm sorry, and you ARE, Guardswoman?'
Nethrida blinked a few times. "I am Nethrida. Councilman Lindhard's eldest daughter."
Caine thrust his head further into the window. "Ah yes...Dol Amroth he said? Along with his son?'
Nethrida again nodded sharply. "My brother Revion is a Swan Knight, that is correct"
Bustling up behind Neth, Ynna would shake her head. "You can’t go rushing off now. Finchley has barely gotten a mouthful poor thing. Leave this horrible business to others....you only just arrived...'
Finchley smiled at Ynnabeth. "It's okay, ma'am. I promise, I'll come back and eat as much as you want... mmh, and then some maybe."
Caine was about to agree they should stay out of it, when he noted the red arrow on the blue anchor embroidered on Neth’s cloak, the mark of Lothiriel’s Household..."In the service of the Pretty Pretty Princess are ya? Well that explains why Xandilif Warchild is meddling here then...”
Finchley frowned again as she looked at Caine, not sure she was liking his tone one bit but keeping her thoughts to herself for the moment.
Nethrida nodded sharply to the Knight. "Yes sir. I've come to offer my services, and to ensure that my hometown remains safe"
Caine rubbed his chin in thought, his features sharp and lean. His build was a bit small for a Knight and he was wearing mail rather than plate. "Well I am sure your hometown will be happy for the help...'
Xandilif grinned. "Speakin’ of hometowns, you are a long way from yours, Septimal Caine...you care to tell me what the Vanguard cares about this sleepy little stonepile, corpses or no corpses....?”
Caine shrugged."We were passing by on the Post road when the alarm was raised, Warchild and well...Captain Kraddock is in no great hurry to return to the White City right now”
Carneryn looked around, feeling even more out of place with all this talk of Minas Tirith.
Caine shrugged again...he tended to shrug a lot. "Anyway, the mayor is calling the city council to meet again...and I am off to see this body...you are your friends care to ride along Warchild?'
Finchley picked up a bit of broccoli to shove in her mouth, alternating between frowning at Caine and glancing over at Lif or Neth with concern while Carneryn looked between the two, letting them decide.
Lif was about to spit...but stopped herself. "I'm a guest here, ask Nethrida....anyway, Councilman Pencilneck over there here seems ta think the host of the Valar sailed over in the night and have been killing local strumpets for no apparent reason....I might be a suspect.'
At the elf’s rude comment, Roric looked like he had just eaten something bad, Ynna looked concerned....and Lindhard was trying not to laugh.
Finchley gigglesnorted ever so softly at 'pencilneck'.
Caine smirked, which he did almost as much as shrug. "Yeah, you’re high on Roric’s suspect list...but don’t worry Banshee, the Mayor is convinced a Corsair jumped ship and is getting his rocks off killing Linhir maidens and won’t even consider any other possibility....the whole town is chasing its damn tail.'
Nethrida mimicked her father's behavior of trying not to laugh. It took her a moment or two to regain her composure before she nodded sharply "I'll ride with you"
Caine nodded to Nethrida..."Glad to hear it, always happy to have the help of the Azure City's elite....'
Carneryn raised a brow and opened her mouth to say something...then promptly shut it. Xandilif looks at her. "You tryin’ to figure if he is serious or crackin’ wise? Good luck with that...even the Steward never knows...Septimal Caine is a pain in the backside that way'
Carneryn shrugged a bit "More that I wonder why no one in the town would be a suspect... Surely it doesn't have to come from outside?"
Xandilif smiled coldly. "Small town like this...everybody knows everybody...it is gonna take some pretty damning evidence to convince them someone they have known all their life is gutting girlies right under their nose.”
Nethrida pursed her lips a little "Carin was... A controversial person. But I would not believe anyone from Linhir would do what she endured to her" She nodded, agreeing with Lif.
'Exactly, so they figure it is an outsider....a Corsair or an elf will do just as well as any.” Xandilif shook her head. “I pity anybody who just moved to this area....'
Carneryn sighed. "That would be unfortunate timing..."
Finchley nodded in agreement with Lif. "And, if everybody knows everybody, then everyone knows everyone else's business. It'd be hard to hide a crime unless you're very good at sneakin' or you have ways of keepin' folks quiet I guess."
Carneryn looked thoughtful, 'But what if someone in the town /is/ that sneaky?'
Xandilif nodded to Ryn. “Every town has a few bent nails...and likely they have been good at hiding it...the peeping toms, the fellows who kill the occasional cat...or worse..the bullies and bureaucrats who normally keep the rest of the town ”in line”...the trick is finding them before the town chases you off...or finds a scapegoat.”
Nethrida pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. "It is... an option...that the killer is local" She nodded, seeming reluctant to even consider such a possibility.
Xandilif smiled. 'Ya see...Trouble here has been in plenty of battles...has seen the kinds of freaks we deal with....and she would prefer to date that Roric character herself rather than admit someone in this town could be a nutball...the fact is...whoever is doing this.. would need to know the lay of the land, they would need for people to not think twice when they walk by carrying a body shaped sack.
As they moved to the stables, they discovered Eduwiges out in the yard. Most of the horses were eating, still saddled as Edu knew very well they may have need of their mounts again at any time. At that moment however, she seemed involved in a conversation with one horse specifically.
As the group approached Eduwige’s was patting Finchley’s horse, known as Destiny and speaking in a low tone. “I am happy to make certain you are fed…even better fed then the others as you do come by your appetite naturally, considering Finchley. However, if you attempt to bite my arse again, I will bite YOUR arse right back…and I don’t think you will like that very much. Do you understand me, horse?
Destiny rolled her eyes and made a noise somewhere between a whinny and a raspberry.
Eduwiges nodded. “Excellent, it is important that we have come to understand each other, as it appears we will be travelling together a good deal…and I would hate to have to pick you up and throw you off a cliff.”
Destiny rolled her eyes again as Eduwiges began to lead out the other horses and spying Finchley approaching, opened her mouth as if to take another bite at Eduwige’s.
“DESTINY!” cried Finchley and the horse closed its mouth…and looked vaguely guilty….but only vaguely.
Everyone moved to their own horses, and Xandilif filled Edu in on all that had passed in the farmhouse…and held out a healthy portion of chicken. “Here, eat it quick, I barely got this away from Babygirl.”
Finchley rolled her eyes, mounting up. "I'm not THAT bad..." she complained, and quietly shoved her last bit of bread in her mouth.
As the group rode out, Xandilif fell in beside Caine. “How long since this body was found?'
Caine shrugged. "Local beach fisherman came dashing into town about an hour ago, losing his mind over what he said was a body in the rocks...the City Council sent a group out to see, and I was sent to round up the other Councilmen.'
Addiela wasn’t completely sure she wanted to be around the dead, not after all that had happened lately. However, she moved with the group, staying several paces in the back while Eduwiges rode her horse Oenone up to Xandilif other side and positioned herself where she can support her if called upon…and keep an eye on Destiny.
Galvra swooped down and perched himself atop Finchley's shoulder again, looking more like a guard dog than a bird and was only coaxed into being quiet when Finchley handed over a few treats.
Caine glanced back at the bird and shrugged. "Captain Kraddock should be there by now with the rest of the council...I was sent to get your good pal Roric”
Galvra squawked “Good Pal Roric…FECKIN’ RORIC…”
Finchley turned several shades of pink as Caine laughed. “Nice bird….”
---
The party rode slowly down to the rocky shore...the waves crashing in a light rain that seemed to set the tone of the moment. In the distance on a rocky outcropping a small group of people could be seen, as the sound of a woman crying echoed along the coast.
Carneryn grimaced. "Everyone can hear that right? Not just me..."
Xandilif nodded grimly. "Yeah...sounds like they told the family...”
Nethrida's steely determination only hardened upon hearing the echoes as she stared ahead. Finchley however frowned and nodded solemnly. "... Everywhere I look there's grief lately," She mumbled very quietly and reached out to pat Destiny on the neck.
As the group dismounted and walked forward, a woman was indeed collapsed in the arms of an older man who seemed upset and awkward. Several locals milled about but one figure, seeming to be twice the size of the others, stood apart stroking his moustache, rainwater running down his bald head and soaking his eyepatch. His buff colored plate armor glistened with rainwater.
Caine whistled between his teeth and the big man looked up and waved you all over.
The big man nod as the company came up to him. "Took ya long enough Caine...but I see ya found the Maiden of Madness...I recognize most of ya from the White City I think...those who don’;t know me, Acting Captain Kraddock, Erendil’s Vanguard." He nodded to Eduwiges, knowing her but unable to remember her name.
Finchley immediately frowned deeper as she heard that moniker said aloud again but bites her lip and gently pinched Galvra's beak shut just in case.
Eduwiges nodded back to the mustachioed man and offered her hand. 'Eduwiges of Faldham.'
Kraddock sighed. "Ya…I remember you…a training rat. Nasty bit of business here...which a you is the local girl?'
Nethrida bowed her head in respect to Kraddock as she stepped up "I am." she announced with a sharp tone.
Looking Neth up and down, Kraddock growled. "Old Lindhard's older girl, yes?'
Nethrida nodded again sharply. "I am Nethrida. I am honoured to meet you, sir"
The woman continued wailing...there may have been words in there, there may not have been. Kraddock shook his head again. “Helluva business, typical we just walked into it like blind pilchards. Poor woman.”
Nethrida pursed her lips. A look of sadness lingered in her face for a brief moment. "I know her family... Many do..." She muttered in a somber tone. "This is not the first loved one Lina has lost..." She sighed.
Kraddock shrugged. "Yeah...from what the old mayor said, she has already given her blood in this war...now this. It is one thing ta fall in battle, but this...ain’t no fit way for a Gondorian lass to die.”
Xandilif punched the Captain lightly on the shoulder with a ringing CLANG. 'Speaking of Gondoran Lasses, Lil’ Sauron...what ARE ya doing here...and you are still ACTING Captain?'
Finchley slapped a hand over her mouth to keep from gigglesnorting aloud at the moniker. Unfortunately, Galvra took the opportunity to croak "Lil Sauron" quietly in Lif's voice, looking sly. It was only after the words escaped the bird that Finchley reached up to shut his beak again.
Eduwiges asked, 'Where is the body Captain?'
He pointed to the crowd...."Over there, local healer and some others are looking at it...apparently the boy who found it thought it was a monster and ran without touching it, so it seems to be as it was, not like that girl in the barn. Her mad father carried what what was left of her all the way to the Post road, was hugging it when we found him...now didn’t THAT give us a turn.'
Kraddock looked at Lif. "As for us...well, Caine and I thought it a good idea to be out of the White City for a few days. Captain Bryant....well...he took a turn for the worse, the infection just would not let go, and the wound was too deep. Caine figured if I was out of the city, no way idle tongues could say I poisoned him. SO I am still acting Captain, probably....we ain’t gotten word otherwise. Wish I was there for him, poor bastard, he was good ta me, was a fine officer.....but politics.'
Xandilif nods gravely. “Yeah, I remember when he was still a recruit, green as grass…but no time for that now. Lets all head down there, likely we won’t get a chance to much longer.'
As they walk down into the salty mist, Eduwiges stopped and looked at Finch, 'Are you sure you want to see this little sister?'
Finchley smiled a little. "Ain't like I've never seen a body before, Edu. Just probably not one that died like this. I'll be fine," she stated quietly.
As they all come close, the weeping woman, seeming to be in her late 40s, spied Neth and moved to her, embracing her. "Oh Captain Nethrida....so kind of you to come all the way here..my...my girl..my Arion is gone...'
The older man with her, from the chain around his neck the Lord Mayor, seemed relieved to have her hanging off someone else now and stepped back.
Nethrida had not the heart to correct the grieving mother about her rank. Instead she simply returned the embrace and sighed. "I am so sorry for your loss, Lina." she replied with a somber tone. "But I promise we'll bring whoever did this to justice. You have my word."
The woman looked Neth in the eye, the tears easing...."Thank ya Captain....I have faith in you...my Bran always said you'd make something of yourself, that of any of the young ones, you were gonna matter....and he was right...we are all so proud of ya....'
Nethrida mustered a little smile "I remember master Bran, he was a good man and an inspiration to many."
Lina wept against Neth's shoulder...."That would mean so much ta him, Capn....and all the girls here about look up ta ya, I know my Arion does...did...and Ane too...in her way.'
Xandilif looked over the body as Neth dealt with the bereaved mother, speaking almost to herself. "The body has been dead a day maybe, the sea beasts have gotten to it, but not too badly as the tide can’t quite reach this outcropping. Just the crabs I imagine. The body was slit from neck to waist with a short blade…a dagger maybe or some tool, and the throat was slit deep, the head hanging at a wicked angle...the eyes are open, and feckin' terrified....She saw her death comin' and knew it for what it was.
Finchley finally moved to Lif to look at the body herself, clasping her hands together in front or herself. She only stared for a moment, sadness written all over her expression and perhaps something else.
Addie looked closely, noticing there was very little blood on the rocks. The girl had died elsewhere and been brought here to this desolate but often traveled piece of beach.
Eduwiges swallowed hard and squatted down, inspecting the body and the surroundings for herself. She had seen death and mutilation before, but this, this was different. She looked up at Nethrida. "This was no Corsair or Orc that did this.. This is something personal. Something evil.' She rose to her feet and took a large sip from her flask and offered it to Finch.
Finchley shook her head at Edu but smiled gratefully for the offer. She turned and looked to the grieving mother and Neth, her heart breaking for the poor woman.
Eduwiges shrugged and took another sip, feeling the warmth creep through her body, when she noticed the girl’s closed fist and squatted back down.
Carneryn furrowed her brows "I feel…no spirits….n-nothing..." she said very quietly to herself "Nothing at all... Odd..."
Eduwiges reached down and grasped the dead woman’s hand. She had to forcefully move the dead woman's fingers to open her fist. Finally with effort the fist opened up. She gasped at what she saw. Locked in the fist was a few inches of satiny material, clearly ripped off of something, the color an almost prismatic white...she took the scrap and handed it to Xandilif.
The local healer who had been hovering, noted the cloth...she hissed to herself..."It is as Councilman Roric says, perhaps....that is first born craft if I know anything...'
Xandilif briefly considered swallowing the cloth but it was too late..."Yeah...yeah it likely is elvish...by the color and the weight, I’d say a funeral tabard...
Addiela 's mind immediately went back to the 'guest' that brought the box containing their brother’s remains to Xan and Lif and her eyes widened. She shook her head, hoping there was no connection to that. "A funeral tabard? And I would assume these is not common for burial around here."
Xandilif looked at Addie..."Not common around here no...and not worn by the elf being buried...by the mourners. Who ever left this body here, may have been dressed for a funeral.”
Finchley grimaces a little. "That's ominous if it's anythin' at all."
Lif nodded softly and spat. “Ominous is an understatement.”
