by Pedro Urvi
The following days went by with everyone conscious of what happened to Astrid. Lasgol was allowed to go on with his visits, and he could see that apart from those lost memories of particular days at the Shelter, there were no apparent after-effects. Annika was monitoring her improvement closely in case anything negative came up, particularly as far as her mind was concerned.
At last Sigrid allowed the other pupils to visit her, and they filed in one by one to greet the patient. The only one who did not come to ask about her was Isgord, which surprised nobody as they did not get along well. In fact Lasgol was pleased, because it spared Astrid a difficult moment. There was no doubt that she would have hated a hypocritical visit from Isgord.
The first day that Astrid went back to the Cave of Spring, she received an ovation from her fellow pupils which she was deeply grateful for. But the joy and the greetings did not last long, because Sigrid summoned them all straight away to the Pearl. Lasgol had an odd feeling when he saw the Mother Specialist’s face. Something was afoot, and he did not have the impression that it was anything pleasant.
At the Pearl they joined Sigrid and the Four Elder Specialists, who were waiting for them there. Their faces were grave. Whatever might be going on, it seemed ominous. Seeing the look in Sigrid’s eyes, Lasgol had the feeling that they were going to be confronted by her anger.
“Welcome to you all. Stand in a semicircle in front of us.”
Lasgol joined his friends, the ‘weirdos’ at the far left. Isgord and his buddies, the ‘best’, went to stand in the middle. The ‘losers’ group went to stand at the other end.
“We find ourselves confronted with an unfortunate and very serious situation.”
Lasgol stiffened. He was right; this gathering was not for anything good. Viggo elbowed him lightly in warning. He looked back at him and nodded briefly. Ingrid was looking at Sigrid, frowning. Beside her, Astrid was looking at her out of the corner of her eye. She was very serious.
“After analyzing the facts and speaking with Astrid, we have reached the conclusion that her poisoning was not accidental.”
There was a shocked murmur all along the line. There had been a great deal of speculation about the incident, but hearing it from Sigrid’s mouth was confirming their worst theories.
“We have looked into the affair, and the conclusion is that Astrid ingested a considerable amount of Dementia Bell in a diluted form.”
The murmuring grew again. Mostly the murmurs were of surprise, some in confirmation of what they had already suspected: among them Viggo, who had suspected it from the start.
Annika now spoke. “I’ve analyzed the contents of her stomach and I’ve reached that conclusion.”
“Astrid was deliberately poisoned,” Sigrid confirmed.
At this proclamation, cries of horror broke out.
Astrid glanced aside at Lasgol. They had already spoken of this possibility when he had explained to her what had happened and its possible ramifications. Astrid did not understand why anyone should want to kill her. She had no enemies, as far as she knew. Nor did she believe it could have been to punish Lasgol. Except by accident, perhaps, as they shared most of their meals.
“This incident is both atrocious and unthinkable,” Sigrid went on. “It’s something I can’t allow to happen in my Shelter, under my leadership. Therefore I need to resolve the situation by finding the culprit and punishing him or her. This incident should never have occurred. And it won’t happen again. I’ll make sure of that if it’s the last thing I do. You have my word on that. This is a dishonor, an unacceptable stain for the Ranger Specialists. Before all and above all, we are honorable, still more so with our own people.” It seemed that with every word she uttered, her rage was growing stronger.
Everybody began to feel nervous, as was obvious from the troubled faces and the bodies which could not keep still.
“Astrid, step forward, please,” said Sigrid.
Astrid threw her head back a little; she had not been expecting this. She took a step forward and looked at Sigrid.
“First, I want to apologize to Astrid publicly, because she almost died, or worse... under my tutelage, my responsibility as leader and Mother Specialist. It’s a mistake for which I will never forgive myself. It is my duty to look after every single one of you while you’re in training here. I’ve failed you, Astrid.”
“There’s no need –” Astrid began.
“Yes, there is. My mistake, my responsibility. I accept it and apologize for it.”
Astrid was moved. She gave the trace of a bow. “Apology accepted, Mother Specialist.”
“Thank you,” Sigrid said and returned the bow.
Astrid was about to go back to her place, but Sigrid raised her hand to keep her back.
“Stand here, by my side.”
Astrid looked at her in puzzlement, but did as she was told.
Lasgol did not know what was going on, but was beginning to feel more restless every moment. What was Sigrid up to? What was she going to do?
Gisli cleared his throat. “I’ve tracked around the Lair for days, thoroughly, every inch of it, and I’ve found no trace of anybody who might have come from outside.”
“Which leaves only all of you as possible culprits,” Engla said accusingly, and pointed her finger at them.
Lasgol understood what was happening. They were going to try to unmask the culprit. And it was one of them. Suddenly they all started to look at one another suspiciously.
“The person guilty of poisoning her is one of you,” said Sigrid. “That much I know. And I’m going to find out who it is. I’ll give the culprit one chance. If he or she steps up and confesses, I’ll be benevolent. If not, if I find myself forced to find that culprit by my own means, I’ll have no mercy. He or she will hang from a tree.”
Sigrid’s words left their mark among the pupils, who began to mutter among themselves, protesting their innocence. Isgord was silent, looking ahead and behaving as though he had nothing to hide.
“That one’s guilty,” Viggo whispered to Lasgol. “I’m telling you.”
Ingrid nodded toward Jorgen and Aren. “Or either of his two friends.”
“It could also be Bjorn of Archery,” said Molak.
Ingrid looked at him in surprise. “You think so?”
“It might be anyone here, except our group.”
“It was poison that was used,” said Luca. “Which suggests Nature: Sugesen or Gonars.”
“And why not Frida or Elina?” Erika said. “Why not a girl?”
“It could have been anyone,” Lasgol repeated. By now he did not trust anybody.
Sigrid struck the ground with her staff. “Silence, everybody. The moment has come to find out who it was. This is the last chance for the culprit to come forward.”
There was a long moment of silence while she waited for someone to step forward.
Nobody did.
“Very well.” Her tone was glacial, her gaze lethal. “We’ll do it my way.”
Lasgol did not know what was going to happen next, but he feared it would be nothing good.
“Now begins the Test of Truth,” Sigrid announced.
Chapter 28
“Annika, please,” Sigrid called.
The Elder Specialist of Nature came forward and stood beside her. From the folds of her cloak she took out a crystal phial with a lilac potion inside.
“This is a Strengthened Potion of Herb of Truth,” she said as she showed it to them all. “You already know its effects. I’ve strengthened it, so you may experience certain secondary effects, such as dizziness or vomiting.”
Lasgol remembered his own experience with the potion. Now he understood what Sigrid was intending to do. If the potion had been strengthened, it meant that it was even more powerful than the one she had given him.
“You are to take the potion one by one,” Sigrid told them.
Irate protests and angry cries were heard.
“You’re to take it. I won’t repeat th
at again.”
Ivar took a step forward and with a swift movement nocked his bow. He aimed at the group, at every individual in it, one by one.
“Anybody who refuses will get an arrow,” he said in a voice which was so cutting that nobody doubted his intentions.
“Exceptional situations call for exceptional measures,” Sigrid pointed out.
“Now begin to take the potion,” Ivar said. He aimed his bow at Sugesen, who was at the opposite end from Lasgol.
Sugesen, whiter than snow, went up to Annika, who poured a dose into a wooden measuring cup. He downed it in a single gulp and went back to his place with an expression of disgust; the potion must taste of toads.
“Next,” Ivar ordered.
One by one they went past. When Isgord’s turn came, he hesitated.
Ivar aimed at his heart. “I’m not going to say it again.”
Isgord clenched his jaw, but he had no choice in the matter and had to obey. The Elder might not launch an arrow, or do it with intent to kill, but not taking the potion would be tantamount to admitting his own guilt. So he walked forward and with a sneer on his face for Sigrid and all the Elders, drank the potion. When it was the turn of Lasgol and his friends, they all drank without hesitation.
“Good. Now sit down on the ground,” Sigrid said. “We’re going to wait for the potion to work.”
They sat down in silence, and nobody spoke. Lasgol, Ingrid, and Viggo exchanged nervous glances. Not because they were being accused of anything, but because of all the secrets they were keeping and which now, under the effect of the potion, they might reveal against their will: secrets that would take them to the gallows along with the poisoner.
Lasgol began to feel the effects of the potion. As he had expected, it was stronger than the one Sigrid had given him. He felt dizzy, even nauseous. The others did not look well either. Viggo gagged a couple of times, so they too were feeling the effects. Astrid, who was still beside Sigrid, was looking uneasily at them. At least she was not running the risk of admitting anything incriminating, which made him feel a lot easier. Things were going to get very complicated very soon.
“Good. Now the time has come to tell the truth. In the same order you took the potion, pass in front of me.”
Ivar pointed his bow at Sugesen, who got up with difficulty. He went up to Sigrid, staggering somewhat. Suddenly Engla unsheathed her black knives and crossed them against his neck before he could even blink. His eyes opened wide.
“In case you try anything stupid,” she warned him.
He froze, stiff as a pole of wood.
“I’m going to ask you two simple questions. Answer truthfully and everything will be fine.”
“Yeah... of course...” he mumbled.
“What’s your name?” she asked him, and Lasgol saw a silver flash leave her staff. The staff was bewitched and she was probably using its magic, so that the effect of the potion would be even greater. Lasgol wondered where she might have gotten that staff. She did not have the Gift herself, and it was strange for someone who did not have it to be using a magical object.
“Sugesen.”
“Good. Second question. Did you poison Astrid?”
There was a moment of silence.
“No.”
Sigrid stared at him, then looked at Annika, who nodded.
“All right. You can go back.”
Engla took away the knives, and Sugesen went back to his place.
Gonars, Frida and Elina went next. All three were innocent. Lasgol was not surprised, because they were the least under suspicion. Next came Aren. Lasgol and his friends watched him carefully as he was one of their suspects, but he came out innocent. Then came the turn of Jorgen, also among the most suspect. He too came out innocent. Ingrid and Lasgol exchanged glances: it was not them. Next came Bjorn of Archery: also innocent. Molak shrugged. And then came Isgord’s turn.
“I told you it was Isgord,” Viggo whispered.
He went up to Sigrid arrogantly and haughtily, as usual, and looked at Astrid with absolute contempt in his gaze. Astrid made to hit him, but Sigrid stopped her.
Engla put the knives against his neck. “Be careful, braggart,” she warned him.
“What’s your name?” Sigrid asked.
“Isgord,” he said in a tone of utter arrogance, as though he were the king of the place.
“Did you poison Astrid?”
There was a long silence. All of Lasgol’s group was waiting for the answer which was hanging by a thread.
“No.”
They were stunned.
Sigrid and Annika looked at one another for a moment. There was doubt in Sigrid’s eyes, but Annika nodded; she accepted the answer.
Isgord went back to his place and gave Lasgol a glance full of disdain and mockery, letting him know he had won. Lasgol’s group stared back, unable to believe he was not guilty.
Viggo was shaking his head.” It can’t be,” he said in disbelief.
“He must have cheated somehow,” Lasgol said, although he could not think how.
“Where there’s a poison, there’s an antidote,” Viggo said thoughtfully.
“What d’you mean?” Ingrid asked.
“That he might have foreseen this and taken something to counter the effects of the potion.
“That would mean foreseeing a lot,” said Molak.
“And it would need a lot of knowledge of Nature,” Erika said. “A potion like this would be very, very difficult to prepare.”
“Very true,” Luca agreed. “Isgord doesn’t have that knowledge.”
“Isgord might be a despicable individual,” Ingrid said, “but he’s not in the least stupid.” She was looking thoughtful.
Next to pass the test was Luca: innocent. He was followed by Ingrid, Molak, Erika and Viggo. As they had expected, they were all innocent. Finally, it was Lasgol’s turn.
“What’s your name?” Sigrid asked him.
“Lasgol,” he replied, and was able to feel the effect of the potion in his mind. He decided that there was no need to risk answering more questions against his will, so he called upon his Gift. He used his inner energy and invoked his Evil Search skill. A green flash, only visible to those who also had the Gift, ran through his body. He focused on his mind’s aura. He could now call upon his skills without having to close his eyes and concentrate too hard. They came to him more naturally, almost spontaneously, as a result of how much he was practicing them. He began to glimpse a purple shadow in the upper part of his aura and focused on it. He was well aware that this was the external magic of the potion, strengthened by the staff which was interfering with his mind. He had located the effect now, and he had to eradicate it. He invoked his Ranger’s Healing skill, and there was a second green flash which acted on the external magic. After a moment the purple spot began to weaken with the energy of his healing spell, until it vanished and he felt himself free from the effects of the potion. Now he could answer calmly.
“Did you poison Astrid?” Sigrid asked him.
Her cold, gaze was wary, which surprised Lasgol, who had not expected to be a suspect. He thought about this and understood why she suspected him: because he was Astrid’s boyfriend and in situations like this, the other half of the couple was always a suspect. He understood this and accepted it.
“No, I didn’t,” he replied and looked at Sigrid. In her eyes he saw that she believed him. There was no doubt about it. Astrid winked at him.
“You can go back,” Sigrid told him after she had consulted with Annika, and he went back to his friends.
Sigrid and Annika began to talk among themselves, while Ivar and Engla watched the group sternly. If anybody dared to do anything stupid, they would pay for it.
“I still think it was Isgord,” said Viggo.
“D’you think he could fool Sigrid and Annika?” Luca asked. “I find that pretty hard to imagine.”
“So do I,” Erika said. “He’s very good with weapons and he’s got a powerful physique. But
he’s not skilled in poisons, least of all healing potions or antidotes.”
“Someone intelligent can find a way,” said Molak.
“What troubles me is that we’re facing someone very intelligent and well-prepared,” Lasgol said. “Someone who’s capable of passing this test is very dangerous.”
“And is here among us,” Molak added. “That troubles me even more.”
“Couldn’t it have been that strange dwarf who hangs around here?” Luca suggested. “I don’t think any of us would be capable of a thing like that.”
“If they’ve discounted him it’s because they know him and they know it wasn’t him,” Molak said.
“Maybe they discounted him too easily,” said Erika. “I think the same, that he’s more likely to be behind the attempt than anybody here.”
“Sigrid and Annika are very shrewd and wise,” Lasgol pointed out. “They wouldn’t have crossed him off the list without a good reason.”
“One we don’t know,” said Luca.
“If it’s not the dwarf,” Erika said, “and it has to be one of us, I think it has to be someone from Nature.”
“That makes sense,” Ingrid agreed.
“We can’t suspect them just because they’re good with poisons and antidotes,” said Molak,
“We can distrust anyone for whatever reason,” Viggo pointed out. “In fact, that’s what I think we ought to do. That way we’ll live longer.”
“It can’t have been Sugesen and Gonars,” said Luca. “We know them from the Camp. If they’d wanted to try something they’d have done it there. It would have been a lot easier for them.”
“That leaves us with Frida and Elina,” said Ingrid.
Lasgol was not convinced. He liked the two girls very much; they were intelligent and nice.
“We haven’t cleared anything up,” Molak said, “and now we’re suspecting two people who could perfectly well be innocent.” He did not sound at all convinced.
