questioning. Why are you still here?'
'1 think you should hear what I have to say.'
'I've got to go on patrol in another few minutes. Make it quick.'
Vambran said, 'I think there might have been more to last night's events than initially meets the eye. I think those other watchmen were imposters.'
'That wouldn't surprise me in the least,' Captain Leguay replied. 'They somehow managed to slip off into the night while we were transporting the bodies back here, and I have put in a few inquiries this morning to try to find out who they were, with no luck.'
Vambran was surprised that the soldier was agreeing so readily with him.
'Then are you tracking them down?' he asked, wondering if she would accept his help.
'I've got a couple of watchmen on it, but I doubt they'll find anything out.'
Vambran tried to suppress his shock and asked, 'Is that it?'
'Look, Master Matrell, I'm not sure what your concern is. Did you know the victims? Was there something stolen from you? What is it you want me to do?'
Vambran scowled. 'I was hoping you might try to bring them to justice. They committed two murders, after all.'
'We don't know that,' Captain Leguay snapped. 'Those two were thrice marked, and as best as I can tell, they had absolutely no arcane ability to speak of. You, I can easily accept. Them, no.'
'But how can you be sure, when you let priests burn the bodies before performing a divination of any sort on them?' Vambran asked, his tone verging on sarcasm. 'Did you happen to get the priests' names before you let them destroy evidence?'
'Master Matrell, they were a couple of common laborers. What difference does it make?'
'Beggar or king, we're talking about a possible murder. You should be out there, trying to find those imposters. I can help you track them, if you'll give me a chance.'
'Are you presuming to tell me how to do my job?'
'No, I'm just asking you to do it properly!' Vambran could not believe how callous the captain was being toward the whole investigation.
'It's time for you to go, Master Matrell. I'm a busy woman, and I've got no time for pampered boys with delusions of grandeur.'
'You're unbelievable!'
'Leave now, or I will have you arrested,' she said, and her visage made it clear she wasn't kidding.
Vambran was so stunned he couldn't even retort. He simply glared for a full two heartbeats then, shaking his head, he stormed out of the station house.
Vambran was halfway back to the estate before he'd calmed down enough to take a deep breath. It was pretty common knowledge that the city watch functioned well inside the circle of intrigue of the city, just like every other major power player of Arrabar, especially given that they ultimately answered directly to the Shining Lord of Arrabar himself. Still, he would have thought it in Eles Wianar's best interests to see that some law enforcement remained consistent within the city, if for no other reason than to maintain stability for trade's sake. And of course, it was. So either the captain was simply a callous woman who cared little for the lower classes of people-which also wouldn't have been surprising, given her jurisdiction and the type of citizen she was charged with protecting- or there must be some other motivations influencing events. Most likely, Captain Leguay just didn't care enough to try to figure out what was going on.
But Vambran did. Seeing those two bodies the previous evening brought back uncomfortable memories for him, memories and guilt. He couldn't just let the crime go. If the watch wasn't going to do anything about it, then he would track the imposters down himself. But first, he wanted some advice. Nodding to himself as the seeds of conviction grew into certainty, he hurried down the cobblestoned road toward the Temple of Waukeen.
In his haste, Vambran completely failed to notice the pair of figures watching him from a corner, well back in the shade of an alley.
'Up, now!' Jaleene insisted, throwing back the screens to all of Emriana's windows and letting in the light. 'You've lazed around in your bed long enough,' the handmaiden said, and her tone made it clear she was in no mood to listen to Emriana complain about the early hour.
Emriana didn't care.
'Stop it, and go away!' she snarled, grabbing at the sheet and pulling it tighter around her head, then burrowing beneath the pillows to escape the intrusive brightness. 'It's too early,'' she groaned.
'Too bad,' Jaleene replied, yanking the covers away from Emriana and grabbing her by the arm.
The girl did not fail to notice the lack of honorifics on the handmaiden's part that morning.
She must definitely be in a foul mood, Emriana realized.
Opening one eye, she looked at her personal servant and saw the tight expression on the other woman's face. Emriana groaned again.
'Did Uncle Dregaul yell at you?' she asked somewhat timidly, sitting up when Jaleene pulled her by her hand.
The woman's expression tightened further, wordlessly confirming the girl's question.
'You have a full day ahead, including a visit to House Pharaboldi,' Jaleene said briskly, ignoring the issue of her own guilt in the previous night's escapades. 'Mistress Hetta instructed me explicitly to make sure you were up and ready to go by eight bells.'
Emriana groaned again. She had completely forgotten the tea that afternoon with Denrick. Sitting around in the Pharaboldis' parlor in an uncomfortable dress, sipping tea and nibbling daintily on tiny cakes while Denrick clumsily courted her was the last thing Emriana wanted to do that day. She flopped backward onto the bed again, sighing heavily.
Jaleene simply grabbed her by both arms and hauled her completely to her feet, then guided her toward her bathroom.
'I've already gotten a bath ready for you, Mistress Emriana. Get started while I prepare your outfit for the tea. When we're finished, you are to go straight down to breakfast. Your grandmother wishes to speak with you before you depart for House Pharaboldi.'
'Aren't you coming with us?' Emriana asked, already stumbling toward her private bath, stripping off her chemise as she did so and leaving it in a pile on the tiled floor.
Jaleene sighed as she followed the girl, picking up the garment.
'No,' she replied, and the strain in her voice made Emriana pause and turn back. 'I must have an extended conversation with Master Dregaul today,' she explained. 'My duties at the house, indeed my very future, are being called into question. I've already been warned that your presentation and timely appearance at breakfast this morning will be used to gauge my usefulness to the household.'
Emriana's eyes bulged at the notion that her own personal attendant, who had been taking care of her since before she could remember, might be let go.
'Jaleene, no!' she said, putting her hands on her hips. 'He can't blame you for last night. You didn't even know.'
'It's my responsibility to know,' the other woman replied softly, the look in her eyes pained.
Emriana felt the weight of guilt press down upon her, but she shook it off.
It's not right, she silently fumed. Uncle Dregaul cannot hold her responsible for my actions. I'm not a little girl anymore, and she can't be expected to keep up with me day and night.
'He's not going to do that to you. I won't let him. I'm going to go talk to Grandmother right now,' she said, turning to find something to wear.
'Please,' Jaleene replied, shaking her head, 'just get to your bath and get ready. If you really want to help me, don't anger your uncle any further.'
Her words were filled with desperation, and Emriana felt pity and sorrow welling up in her. She wordlessly nodded and headed back toward the bath.
For the rest of the morning, Emriana remained somber and quiet, conversing little with Jaleene. She dutifully got ready for her visit, bathing and dressing without any fuss at all. Once she was finished in her rooms, she gave her handmaiden one quick hug and a meaningful look, then went downstairs to meet with her
