Bramon spoke up. “I suggest we interview every man who is back from leave; with the unit restructure we could say it’s for reassignment, which will be true enough. We don’t want all our experience in one division. And a rotation may not be a bad thing if we think there are some rotten apples.”
“We should use the cadets, sir, add them to the garrison rotation, slot them into the units. It would be good experience.” Mackie spoke hesitantly. As Jason nodded encouragingly, his voice firmed up and he continued. “And help bolster the numbers, which might mean we could keep an extra unit or two. There are duties that they could do, which would relieve some of the pressure on the other units, and most of them are gagging to move up, sir.”
“Interesting idea. Go and fetch the drillmaster for me.” Mackie left the room as Jason continued. “Recommendations for advancement should be on my desk by tomorrow. Bryce should be back before the end of the month; in the interim, his sergeant will act in his stead. Each of you set up the interviews, and by the end of the week, I want your suggestions for the divisions. I also want to create a floater unit under my command.” Jason paused as he looked at Bramon. “In this floater unit I want men you absolutely trust, as we also have another task,” and he went on to explain the need for investigating the council.
“But isn’t that out of our jurisdiction?” Bramon asked. “I mean, that’s the King’s business, not the army’s.”
“The safety of the people in the Watches is our business, and these are unusual times. We know something is going on, and it is our responsibility to find out what, and to protect the King and his people against it. Right, you have your orders, get moving. Report back by the end of the week. Any concerns, raise them immediately, don’t wait. Bramon, stay, we need to speak with Danilesh.” He dismissed the others.
The drillmaster and Corporal Mackie caught up with them as they descended the stone steps to the cell block. The air was dank and still, the gloom alleviated by lanterns hanging at regular intervals along the corridor.
Two guards bracketed the barred door. The first guard saluted Jason before pulling the bolt back and opening the door. “He hasn’t said a word, sir,” he reported, standing back. Jason stepped forward, with the drillmaster looming behind him. A soft command and Mackie moved in front with a lantern which dispelled the darkness. Danilesh huddled on his cot, lost and bewildered; gone was the angry glowering attacker.
He lurched to his feet and stood to attention as soon as he saw Jason. He was slightly taller than Jason with broad shoulders and a trim figure. As Bramon said, he was a solid officer and completely reliable until now.
Jason stopped in front of him. “Report,” he said.
“S-sir? I’m not sure why I am here. What happened?” Danilesh held his head, frowning. “I don’t remember getting here, did I hit my head?” He glanced around the cell with unseeing eyes.
Jason observed him. “You tried to shoot me with a crossbow.”
“Never,” Danilesh responded. “I would never do such a thing. I would never betray my o-o-...” He coughed, trying to get the word out. He tried again. “My o-o... ugh,” and he inhaled as he choked on the words. He began to panic as he struggled to breathe; his eyes rolled as he started hyperventilating. Jason rushed to hold him down as he collapsed on the floor.
“Get Tyrone, quick,” Jason ordered over his shoulder.
Mackie handed the lantern off to the drillmaster and ran for the infirmary. The drillmaster knelt next to Jason. “What’s going on here, Jason?” he asked, staring at Danilesh as the shudders eased and his body relaxed.
“I don’t know, let’s get him off the floor.” Between them, they lifted the unconscious man onto the bed. Jason gave the drillmaster a quick recap of the morning’s events. He had just finished when Tyrone appeared in the doorway. “Tyrone, I’m glad you’re here.”
Tyrone moved over to the bed. “Mackie here filled me in. Danilesh had no memory of the event at all?”
“That’s what he said. And when he was trying to say such an action would be against his oath, he seized right up, couldn’t get the word out. It was strange, Tyrone, I’ve never seen anything like it, it was if his body was preventing him from saying the words. He started to spasm almost immediately.”
Tyrone checked Danilesh’s pulse and eyes. “Let’s get him back to the infirmary, and I can investigate further. Once he’s conscious, I’ll let you know, and you can question him again while I’m observing him. I would recommend we keep him under guard for his safety.”
Jason stared at the now peaceful Danilesh. “You think he is a risk to himself?”
“Let’s take the precaution. I don’t like where this is heading.” Tyrone called in his helpers, and they lifted Danilesh onto a stretcher before leading the way out of the cell. Jason ordered the guards to accompany him and dismissed Mackie back to his duties. He walked with the drillmaster. “It was suggested this morning that most of your cadets are ready to step up into the units. At least in supporting roles.”
“Depends what you have in mind,” the drillmaster rumbled. He was a big man with a barrel chest and a deep voice which could be heard across the training field when he wanted it to be.
“There is a disease spreading through the Watches. Unfortunately, we are infected too, though to what extent I don’t yet know. I need to know who we can trust. We are stretched thin with all the problems we are facing. I need to defend the garrison, stop the smuggling trade, patrol the borders and clean up
