TheSearchAndAfterIndex | HomePage | GameLogs | ClearwaterGameLogs | The Search and after The search of Aerin's room took rather longer (and not just due to the embarrassment of the two soldiers at looking through a young woman's possessions under the gimlet gaze of her father), but yielded no more results. Derron said, "Well, while we're in this corridor, let us begin checking room by room, on this level. It could take a while. Ser Tomas, if you would fetch your daughter and the Septa, we will completely finish this part of the search." When they came to the Septa's rooms, their task was eased by discovering that Aerin, Niko and Ranulf were with her. Aerin looked up in surprise as her father came into view with the Steward and Lord Drauapud. Them she frowned slightly at the grim expressions they wore. She stepped back behind Ranulf and Niko and listened for what would be said. Derron cleared his throat. He felt a touch of embarrassment. But as always, he did his duty. "We are having to conduct a complete search of everyone's living quarters in this part of the manor. And their persons. Lord Draupaud and Ser Tomas have gone first, and Miss Aerin, we have searched your room. We must now search you. We would ask Septa to actually perform the search. We will search Septa's room in the meantime, then search her as well." "There's no need," said the Septa, and she folded her arms. Her look went from Lord Draupaud to Ranulf - and thenm back again. "Search my belongings first." "Search?" Aerin asked suspiciously. "For what? And why have you gone into my room?" She gave Niko a look that obviously said she suspected him of knowing about the search, and of having provided a distraction. Derron looked slightly skeptical, but then nodded. He motioned for the gaurds to begin their work and he looked at Septa with a raised eyebrow. She could tell he was asking for permission to search her person. He did not answer Aerin, figuring that was the responsibility of Ser Tomas. As he stepped toward Septa he caught the faint aroma of the lavender she was using in her packing. He said to the guards, "Make sure to search those thoroughly." He kept an eye on the woman for any reaction. The Septa stepped back, giving a curt nod to Derron Thorne - permission to search her. As he stepped close, he could feel her trembling. But there was no need. "Steward, Ser Tomas," said one of the guards. He had turned back the covers of the bed, and litfted the down pillows. There had really been very little attempt to conceal the key. It lay there, dark and stark against the white sheeting. Niko frowned, looking at the Septa. His frown deepened as he did. "Why?" he asked simply, not clarifying what he was asking her, but depending on her own interpretation. "It is best this way," said the Septa, not looking at Niko but at Lord Draupaud instead. Suddenly Ranulf pushed through and ran to the Septa, throwing his arms around her waist. "No! No, Septa! You mustn't!" Now she did look at Niko - and at Derron, a silent plea for them to remove the boy. Derron looked to Lord Draupaud for direction. There was little chance of the Septa eluding them. But if she were covering for someone else, they needed to know. He finally spoke, asking, "'Best this way'? Are you pretending you did this to save someone else?" Ranulf tilted his head back, looking up at the Septa. She lifted her hand and stroked his head, smoothing down his hair. "I meant," she said, "that it was best this way for my Lady. For her pain to be at an end. And it ends the pain of those who loved her too." Her voice broke a little on the last words. Derron needed to be absolutely sure. "You'll need more than the key. Can you produce whatever sickened the guard? And what you gave Lady Draupaud?" "The Maester left me in charge of his simples when he went away," said the Septa. "Not so hard to make the mixtures I needed, Steward. He instructed me on the doses to give - I wrote them down. And the dangers too. I knew, Steward. The book will prove that." Derron repeated, "You will need to prove it was you. You will show us, please." Then he paused and asked, "Do you mean Maester Merivel knew you were going to do this?" Niko had been torn, seeing what was coming. On the one hand, the Septa could be right- that Ranulf shouldn't see this. But, on the other hand, if he didn't, then how would he find out? What would his father say to him? So in absence of orders, he stood out of the way, an observer. In this capacity, he had a good view of the room, but still amost missed Aerin's attempted exit. He looked over at her surreptitiously, a quizzical expression on his face. Aerin met his eyes briefly. She glanced at the Septa, then shook her head, a quick left and right motion of her chin. Then she slipped out the door and away from the group, her movements revealing to Niko she was leaving with purpose, not just to get away from the scene. [Aerin continued in Aerin and Shade: Out and About ] "Maester Merivel prepared medicines before he left, and trained me in the use of them," the Septa said. "I was to tend any who fell ill ... I have done it before, you know, when our old Maester was infirm. And therefore he explained to me the dangers of prescribing too much, or too little. He had no idea what ... what would happen." Her voice was calm, but her arms was still about Ranulf, holding him close. Niko's eyes narrowed, but he merely nodded to Aerin as she left. Turning his attention back to the drama unfolding in front of him, he asked, "But why now?" He kept an eye on Ranulf even as he did, keeping an eye out for his reactions. "It has been on my mind for a long time," [the Septa] said, not looking at Lord Draupaud. "Seeing her pain, seeing her suffering day after day ... Sir, will you take the boy away? He shouldn't be here to hear all this." This raised Niko's ire as the crime had so far not. "He would not have to be, had you not taken matters into your own hands," he answered, his voice cool. "This is the last memory he will have of his mother, and he is half-grown besides." "No," he finished, in clipped tones, "this one will not make it easy upon you." The Septa's lip trembled. "Niko ... " began Ranulf. "No," said the Septa. "No, not a word, child. I made my choice ... and I shall abide by it." Lord Draupaud spoke, for the first time. "Take the boy away, Niko." So intent had he been upon the Septa, the rest of the room had begun to fade from view as Niko berated her. So it was that Lord Draupaud's words were like a splash of cold water on his heated emotions, and he jerked his head to look at the man. His mind cleared, and he bowed silently, holding out his hand for Ranulf, and walking from the room. [Continued in Randulf and Niko] Lord Draupaud was silent again, seemingly prepared to leave further questions to the Steward. Derron frowned some more, then said, "Very well. Please show us where you have them, and what you used. We need to be absolutely certain we have found the culprit. Once we are assured, it will be up to His Lordship to decide upon any punishment." {Or reward,} he mused silently. The Septa truned and led the way into a little corridor. There was a room here, easily accesible, but locked. She took a key from the ring at her waist and unlocked it to allow them to enter a small turret room, too high and unimportant to have any glass at the windows. In here there were several cupboards, a table for mixing simples, and a ewer and water bowl. "I used a syrup of black poppy, and another purge of figs," said the Septa. "The bottles are here - you can see that they are both nearly empty." Derron stepped over to the bottle of black poppy syrup and lifted the glass stopper. He let its natural aroma come into contact with his nose, ready to compare it to what he had smelled upon Lady Draupaud. The aroma was similar ... but subtly different. Of course, it might change in contact with the mouth. Perhaps only a trained Maester would be able to tell. The Septa was watching him a little anxiously. Derron wanted to believe the woman. But he wasn't completely satisfied. He let it show on his face and went for the bluff. "This isn't it. At least not in this form." He stood to his full height and strode until he was directly in front of her. "Who are you protecting?!" his voice was raised. She was staring at him steadily. He saw fear in her eyes now, but also a great determination. "No-one, Steward Thorne. I did this myself." "Steward Thorne." It was Ser Tomas cutting in, his voice a gruff rumble. "Perhaps she should have some time in the dungeons ... to think more carefully on her answers." Derron glanced at Ser Tomas, then turned back to the Septa. "Please! If you don't help me now, you won't be able to help yourself. And when we find out you're protecting Ra-...I mean, your partner, it will all be over." He could only think of one person the Septa would go to such length to protect. As he had spoken he had watched her like a hawk... As he started to speak a name, she tensed, and there was a suddenly dart of fear in her eyes. But once more she shook her head with determination. "I am protecting no-one, Steward Thorne. I acted alone." Derron exhaled slowly through his nose. He leaned close and whispered, "If the boy did this, it would be better for him to come forward. His father has no respect for him as it is. If he admits his guilt, he may rise in the man's eyes." There was a thin shimmering of sweat on the Septa's upper lip, as she said softly, "No matter what happens ... do you think anything will make his father care for him at at all?" Derron hesitated. In his heart, he didn't know the answer to her question. He had no quarrel with either Ranulf or his father. His duty was to learn the truth for Lord Draupaud, but the boy was just a child. He finally said, "I truly don't know. But if it ever comes out, his father will probably get rid of the boy." The Septa nodded slowly and then said aloud, "Take me to your dungeon, Steward. My old bones are weary, and I can rest them there as well as anywhere." Derron closed his eyes and nodded. He backed away and said, "Very well. Ser Tomas, your men can escort her to the dungeon. A clean cell, if we have any." He now had to decide what exactly to say to Lord Draupaud. He had a suspicion, but the woman was absolutely ready to die for the boy. Should he waste that gesture for his duty? Ser Tomas nodded, and the guards moved forward to escort the Septa, Ser Tomas going with them. Derron was left alone with Lord Draupaud, who was still standing, his back to the wall, staring unseeingly out into the room. Derron cleared his throat before speaking. "Milord, the Septa accepts full responsibility for Lady Draupaud's death. Do you have any further orders at this time?" Lord Draupaud was silent for a moment. Then he blinked - as though coming back to himself from a place where he'd been very far away. "No orders, no. But ... your thoughts. I'd like to hear what you think, Derron Thorne." Derron did his best to hide his hesitation. Part of him wanted true justice for Lady Draupaud's murder. He had solid suspicion that someone else was involved, but no proof. Finally, he decided to opt for a purely pragmatic response. "Milord, a swift resolution to this situation is the best answer. It shows you firmly in control to all underlings and possible rivals. But to also show compassion with resolve might win friends among the people. Rather than execute her, perhaps there is some other punishment. Her motives were pure, if incredibly ill-conceived." Lord Draupaud gave a single, slow nod. "Agreed," he said. "But ... my choices are limited. If she were a man, I should send her to the Wall. But she is a woman, and an old one too. Imprisonment is not the answer either. Aged and infirm, she would not last long." Derron thought long and hard, then said, "I have it. Have her join the Silent Sisters. Then she may help others, but will always be supervised. It shows wisdom and mercy." "And she will speak no more," said Lord Draupaud quietly. "Which could be ... fortunate. Yes, that is the right choice. For all concerned." His eyes were hard on Derron's face. "There will be justice, Steward," he said. Derron visibly relaxed, glad the situation was coming to a conclusion. He said, "Very good, Milord. Unless you have any further orders, I should get back to work." "One final task I must give you," said Lord Draupaud. "It would be ... disturbing if any other stories about my Lady's death were to emerge. I need you ensure that people most closely involved with this know ... the truth, as we have discovered it." Derron actually felt some fear for the first time in a very long time. His eyebrows shot up as he considered the enormity of the task being presented to him. "Milord, I can certainly inform them all, and even swear them to not share any suppositions they may have formed. But how do I ensure that both Ser Tomas and Aerin, both nobles, obey such an order?" Part of him wanted to also ask how he himself would be rewarded. He had tired of being Steward early during his tenure, but had made an promise to stay as long as necessary. He had chastised himself many times for that promise. Lord Draupaud watched him for a moment and then gave a nod. "It has been my intention for some time, Derron Thorne, that your service to me should meet with some reward. I could, of course, make you my knight, but it seems to me that you are a practical man, and one who would prefer a more practical reward. There are still holdfasts within my lands that remain untenanted and unused since I became Lord Draupaud. It seems to me that one of these would make a fine place for a practical man to one day retire to, with his wife and sons." Yet again Derron was surprised by the turn of events. That sort of generosity was almost never found in any man, and it was rare enough in folk tales. He stammered as he tried to express his thanks. "Uh, Milord, I, uh, I wish to say thank you, though that doesn't seem to be enough for such a grand gesture." He finally came up with a weak joke. "Now if I can only find a woman willing to put up with an old bear such as myself, it may work out." He then said, "I will begin to make sure that your pronouncement of the Septa's guilt and fate are spread. I will leave it to you to speak with Ser Tomas." He bowed and left the room. {Where to begin?} he asked himself. Normally he would go to the kitchen, as the cooks had the best network for gossip in the keep. Yes, that was it. Ser Tomas would handle the guards, undoubtedly. The kitchen was still in an uproar when he arrived - with people gossiping in small clusters. When he entered, the Steward became the focus of all eyes. "What can I do for you, Steward Thorne?" said the Head Cook, bustling over to him. Derron flopped down into the chair in the corner and let out a great sigh. "Something to eat, and a large mug of ale, if you please. It's been a trying day." He paused, then added, "Oh, and you can assure me that the evening meal will be served on time." That simply earned him a scowl from Cook. Ever since there first encounter when he was named Steward, she had resented him a little, but she admitted he did a decent job. "On time, and some of the guards from down south have been helping plan the Mourning Feast, as they know what is traditional." She stood there, obviously waiting for more. Finally Derron looked up at her. "Yes? Oh, of course. Well, the Septa has confessed, and His Lordship accepts it as fact. But rather than executing an old woman, she will be forced to join the Silent Sisters. There, does that satisfy your curiosity?" "The Septa?" The Cook sat down with a bump. "Sweet Mother. Whyever would she want to do a thing like that?" Derron shrugged. "I believe she feels it was a mercy to the Lady. I'm not sure, though. Regardless, she has confessed. So, with any luck, soon things will return to normal. Though I expect once the local lords hear of the tragedy, any number will offer the hands of daughters and sisters in marriage. One as favored by the King as Lord Draupaud is, will be seen as a potentially useful ally." A sudden thought came into his head. Perhaps a new Lady would want a new Steward. The Cook nodded sagely and was starting to speak, but broke off as she saw Aerin Prinksett approach. Derron turned to look at what Cook was watching. When he saw Aerin, it struck him that she had come into Septa's room with Ranulf and Niko, but then he lost track of her. When Niko took the boy out, Aerin was not with them any longer. Knowing Aerin, Derron suddenly suspected she might have been up to mischief. He thought about simply taking her to her father, but decided to take a stab at the situation himself. "Aerin! Come, join me in a snack. I suspect you also missed midday meal. Cook, bring me double what I had asked for, though no ale for Aerin." Aerin froze, as if caught in some divine light of the godswood. She looked at Derron, as if wishing this wasn't happening. The Cook nodded and hurried away to comply with his order. Aerin quickly snaked a hand to the head chef as she passed toward the kitchens. "Lady, if you love the seven I have desperate need of a fish. For Shade," she whispered anxiously. Derron smiled at the girl and said, "So where did you run off to after the sad scene in Septa's room?" Aerin sat down gingerly across from the Steward. "I had a thought," she said with wide eyes. "What happened?" she quickly followed up, looking at the Steward with huge dark eyes. Derron looked thoughtful, then said, "Very well. Septa confessed to killing Lady Draupaud. Niko took Ranulf away as he was crying. His Lordship is to decree that Septa will be forced to join the Silent Sisters." He was silent a moment, then said, "My turn. What was your thought? And what has Shade to do with it?" Aerin looked stunned at the news about the Septa. "No..." she said, shaking her head. "The Septa wouldn't do such a thing," she said, her tone incredulous. "She's our Septa." Without giving an answer to the question about Shade, Aerin bolted from the bench and started to run toward the kitchen. Something was out of sorts with the girl, so Derron got up and followed her into the bowels of the kitchen. Aerin dashed into the cooking area, straight toward where the fresh fish were brought in when they were caught. Derron leaned against the wall, watching the girl. When she had her fish, she would have to come by him. To extract her fish, she needed to rootle in the barrel half-filled with ice where they were stored. Aerin looked around frantically, marched to the barrel, and without hesitationplunged her hands into the ice, pushing it aside in hurried motions to get at the fish below. Derron watched, trying not to chuckle at the girl. She obviously was greatly distressed, but the need for a fish puzzled him. He decided to keep waiting, since when she had the fish, she would be distracted with carrying it. He could then block her path out. As Niko came into the kitchen, Ranulf in tow, he saw the strangest thing- Aerin rooting around in a barrel, and the Steward watching, suppressing humour. He waited until they were closer- but not too close, to acknowledge their presence with a cough, still trying to figure out what was going on. "Hello, Steward Thorne," he said, rather formally. "The Young Lord and I were coming to see what had transpired in our absence- and he has something he wishes to get off of his chest in regards to the events of the day." Ranulf was white-faced and still at his side. Derron decided that since the object of his suspicion was now here, he could learn a little more. "Ranulf, you look terrible. I'm so sorry about your mother. She was always kind to me when I met her." He then looked pointedly at Aerin and changed the subject. "For some reason she needs a fish for that shadowcat of hers. I can not, for the life of me, fathom why." Ranulf looked bewildered; it was clear he had no idea why Aerin - or Shade - might want a fish either. Never one to ignore the obvious, Niko queried, "Have you asked her?" Derron nodded agreeably and said, "Indeed I have, but she ran off to get the fish anyway." He finally raised his voice. "Aerin! Look, Niko and Ranulf also want to know why you need a fish for Shade." Aerin pulled a whole fish out the the barrel by the tail with a triumphant look. She ignored the cook calling angrily after her as she marched toward the door, holding the fish as if was the most important thing in the world. Then she froze as she saw the assembled three at the doorway. "Shade wanted a fish," she announced with a blank look. "I promised I would get one and be right back." She moved toward the door of the kitchen, past the men there. And was looking ahead with an extremely determined expression. Ranulf looked worriedly at the Steward and Niko. "Why all of the commotion then?" Niko asked, looking at her askance. Aerin stopped in her tracks, the fish sloughing off bits of ice onto the floor. She looked at Niko with wide eyes. Looked down at Ranulf with equally large eyes. Then back to Niko. "Ranulf shouldn't watch Shade eat. Not after losing his mother today," she said nonsensically. Then she started to march out of the kitchen, fish in hand, looking straight ahead. Niko frowned, studying Aerin. Then coming to a decision, he looked to Derron. "Steward Thorne, could you see after Ranulf for a moment. He has something to tell you, and it might be of import. Also, I'm sure that he should be part of the arrangements," Niko said. "I shall be back momentarily," he finished, walking after Aerin. Continued in A Fish for Shade Since Niko was Aerin's teacher, Derron decided that letting him speak with her might bring better results. As the swordsman walked off with Aerin, Derron spoke to the boy. His suspicion of the boy warned him to tread carefully, so he said, "Your father has decided the Septa's fate." He said no more, waiting for a reaction from Ranulf. Ranulf looked up, his eyes very dark in his white face - even his lips seemed bloodless. "Is he ... will he ... kill her?" the boy whispered. Derron leaned back casually against the wall and shrugged. "Don't you think she deserves to die? She killed your mother, after all." Ranulf looked at the ground. "I don't think anyone should die for killing Mother," he said. "She wanted to die. You know she did." Derron's face clouded and his tone hardened. "I know no such thing, boy, and neither do you. Did she tell you she wanted death? Well? Did she?" "Yes," said Ranulf, suddenly looking straight at him, his grey eyes stormy. "She said she wished she'd died before she bore me." Derron looked skeptical. "Really? That must have hurt. Made you mad." Ranulf's gaze never wavered. "After a while, I 'spect I just got used to it, Steward Thorne." Derron barked a sharp laugh. "Bah! You were out for revenge, weren't you?" Ranulf gazed at him for a long steady moment, and then suddenly his face screwed up, and he let out a piercing wail. "M...mother!" His small body shook with sobs. "My mother!" There was a slightly nervous knock on the door. Derron crouched down, trying to ignore the knock and said softly, "I know, I know. You can tell me what happened." "She ... she hated me," sobbed the boy. "Every time she saw me ... that was all I saw ... and she told me over and over again that she should be dead ... I thought ... I thought she wanted me to help her ... " Derron nodded and closed his eyes briefly. This confirmed his suspicion, but he could not act upon it. And he wasn't sure he wanted to in any case. He opened his eyes and said, "You were wrong, boy. She didn't hate you. She hated herself, and those that had hurt her long before you came along. It drove her mad." He paused before continuing. "You now will have to live with the consequences of your actions. Remember that. There are always consequences for any action. Your mother is gone. Your father has accepted Septa's confession, and will sentence her to join the Silent Sisters. So you will lose her as well. And finally, you will have to live with the knowledge of what you did, and what happened. Can you handle that?" The boy looked up at him, still shaking with sobs. "I ... I can try. If ... if you will help me." This was what Derron did not want. Not this responsibility. He thought for a bit, then said, "I don't know." He had established a tentative trust with the boy, and he was hesitant to test it, but decided to see the reaction. "If you really want to earn the trust of those who care for you, you will confess to your father." Ranulf shrank back a little, and Derron saw fear in his eyes. "But ... he hates me more than Mother! That was why my Septa lied for me, I know. She wanted to keep me safe." Suddenly he moved forward, clinging to Derron's arm. "You won't tell him, will you?" Derron sighed and said, "One of the most important lessons a boy can learn is to do one's duty. My duty as Steward is to tell your father what I know and have learned." Part of him wanted to tell the Lord, the other part wanted to forget the entire matter. He finally decided to straddle the fence. "I will not tell him, save if he asks me directly. And if others learn of it, I will not deny it." He leaned down and said, "You took someone's life from them, regardless of how painful a life it was. Now you will have to live with those consequences. Both good and bad." Ranulf gazed up at him for a moment - and then gave a little nod. "Thank you," he said at last. Then he gave a sniff and rubbed his eyes on his sleeve." Derron nodded then went to see who was knocking at the door. An apologetic guard was standing there. "Excuse me, Steward Thorne ... but I heard the lad cry out. I wondered ... " Derron looked back over his shoulder to the red-eyed boy then replied, "Overcome with grief, he is. He'll be fine." He glanced back again, asking, "Won't you, boy?" Ranulf nodded. "Yes," he said. "Yes, I will." Derron, looking back to the guard saw that, behind him, Aerin and Niko were coming down the corridor, now without the fish. Derron had no doubt they were coming to see either him or the boy so he stood aside to let them in. |
