Blood in the Forest, Part 1 of Shadows of the Heavens

by Gareth Lewis

  *

  The silence as they walked made Adajo uncomfortable. Not in the way that he needed to fill the silence, as the scholar had. It was more his curiosity over how the examiner worked. Not to get promoted, as Kuon claimed, but to be able to learn things for himself.

  Curiosity got the better of him before they were half way there.

  'Do you think this will lead anywhere?' he asked. 'I can't see anyone here being able to do what was done to him. Well, maybe Tsorina could've concocted something, though ambushing someone doesn't seem likely. She'd be more likely to embarrass him publicly.' Aware he'd started to babble, Adajo shut up.

  'It seems unlikely,' said the examiner. 'For the moment we gather facts, and this is where they lead us.'

  'And then? When we have the facts?'

  'We determine which are true. And investigate why those that aren't, aren't.'

  'You mean work out who's lied to us.'

  'Lied, or unknowingly passed false information. Or even why someone would provide too much information.'

  Adajo stared at him. 'You suspect Varnu told us this for a reason?'

  'I'm unsure. He proved quickly distracted from his grief. It may be nothing, but his response felt wrong.'

  'You said he could leave.'

  'He'll only return to the city,' said the examiner. 'Had I told him to remain, he may have panicked. Leaving the city would invite suspicion, so while he believes himself clear he should be easy to find.'

  'Okay,' said Adajo, considering his own impression of the scholar. He'd seemed distraught, and it had felt odd that he should worry about being attacked in the inn because his colleague had been attacked in the forest. He'd put it down to being in a strange environment and wanting to return to the safety of the familiar.

  An unruly clutch of cobbled-together buildings came into view as they passed through the outer arms of the enclosing woods. Considered an eyesore by some, Brass Rings had been the original heart of the settlement when it had been more spread out, and the few buildings still standing showed their age. They were usually inhabited by those unable to afford someplace in the village proper.

  'Tsorina can be prickly,' he said.

  'Do you believe it would be better for you to question her?' said the examiner.

  'To be honest, it'd be better for me if you did the questioning and I stayed out of sight.' He glanced at the examiner, detecting no hint of humour through the mask. 'I just wanted to warn you.'

  The examiner nodded.

  The first knock went unanswered. Adajo had knocked firmly, not wanting to show hesitation after what he'd said. The second knock also went unanswered, and Adajo considered how best to locate her. She could be out at a farm, and he doubted her neighbours would know where. He almost felt relief at missing her – even if it only delayed the encounter – until the voice came from behind them.

  'If you break the door with your battering, you're replacing it.'

  They turned to face her. As tall as Adajo, not far below the examiner, her hawk-like nose would have been her most prominent feature had it not been so close to those eyes. They scanned her visitors with that look he'd never been able to decipher, but took as measured disdain. Her long black hair hung unconventionally loose, flowing around her back, and she'd have been striking if she weren't so intimidating. Even the older people in the village were respectful of her, though she couldn't be more than five years older than Adajo. He had no intention of asking her exact age.

  'What do you want,' said Tsorina, pushing past with a bundle under one arm. She left the door open behind her, and Adajo reluctantly followed her in.

  'One of the visiting scholars,' said Adajo. 'Kilipa. He... It's been suggested he visited you.' He tried to maintain an official tone, more for her than the examiner. She unsettled him. She'd only moved there a few years ago, rumours saying her family – farmers from the east – had thrown her out for unknown indiscretions. Her skills with medicine ensured she was welcome, especially since they'd been without a herbalist for a couple of years.

  Setting her bundle down she turned and waited expectantly. 'That wasn't a question, you realise.'

  Adajo controlled his irritation, speaking calmly. 'Is it true?'

  'What happened to him?' she said.

  The news probably hadn't reached here yet. Maybe she'd been out of earshot a while. Or maybe she was playing with him. 'He's dead.'

  'Accident?' Her expression didn't flicker.

  'No,' said Adajo, almost cursing himself as he realised he'd let her take over the questioning. 'Is it true?'

  'That he came here? Yes.'

  'What did he want?'

  Her eyes held a sharp mirth as she regarded him. 'I'm sure you can guess. But tell me, why are you asking the questions, and not the examiner?' She glanced dismissively at him. 'I thought that was his job. Is he just there to intimidate?' He didn't appear to have that effect. 'Or is he afraid I'll be too prickly?'

  Adajo was glad the mask hid his face.

  'What did he wish from you?' said the examiner.

  'You speak, then,' said Tsorina, with a faint smile. 'He'd gotten friendly with someone local. A bit friendlier than he'd apparently intended. Not sure why he came rather than her, but that's their business.'

  'Do you know who she is?' said the examiner.

  'No shutting you up now, is there? No, I don't know. I've heard he's been around Stone Walking Fish.' She returned her gaze to Adajo. 'So I wouldn't be the best person to ask.'

  'What time did he leave?' said the examiner.

  Tsorina shrugged. 'He was here maybe ten minutes. It's not as though I don't keep a batch mixed.'

  'Thank you for your assistance.' With a faint bow the examiner turned and strode from the house.

  Adajo followed, feeling Tsorina's eyes on his back. He avoided meeting them as he pulled the door behind him. The feeling of her gaze following him didn't ease until well after he'd passed from sight.