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

  *

  Varnu sat on the end of the bed, eyes wide and still shaken. In his mid-thirties, he had a tall, lean angularity, enhanced by the square moustache and the worried frown perched on his brow. The extent of the room's furnishings beyond the bed was a small cabinet to the side, and a table and chair by it. Adajo glanced at the neat stack of books and notes, an old carved rod holding them in place.

  'Describe this morning's events,' said the examiner. His voice became soothing as he sat facing Varnu.

  After taking a moment to compose himself, Varnu responded in a shaky voice. 'We had breakfast downstairs, then made our way towards the ruins. Part way I realised I'd forgotten a brush, so I came back to fetch it while Kilipa continued on. I... his body wasn't far beyond where I'd left him. I'd been maybe fifteen or twenty minutes. It couldn't have been much more.'

  'What are you doing at the ruins?'

  Varnu glanced up, taking a moment to focus on the question. 'Investigating some murals. A book which recently came to my attention has passages which may shed new light on sections which have never been deciphered. I discovered the book and made the connections, but Kilipa had studied the local histories, so I asked his assistance in investigating.'

  'How was the investigation proceeding?'

  'We'd started to get something understandable,' said Varnu, his tensions easing as he engaged in a familiar topic.

  Adajo leaned against the wall, listening to the scholar discussing their findings, and studying how the examiner seemed to have guided the interrogation to put Varnu at ease. He didn't fidget as much. The distraction didn't last, as he soon recalled what had happened. He looked tired rather than anxious, and the examiner moved the conversation on again.

  'How long have you been here, in Water Dances on the Rocks?'

  'Ten days, myself. Kilipa came a few days before me, to scout the site while I finished some preliminary research.'

  'Had you any trouble with the locals?'

  Varnu glanced briefly at Adajo, answering awkwardly. 'No, I haven't had much to do with anyone here, and nobody seems bothered by our presence.'

  The examiner stared at him longer than the scholar was comfortable with. 'And Kilipa? Did he have anything to do with anyone here?'

  'We've been busy during our time here. He had work to...' he trailed off, and sighed before running a hand through his hair. 'I believe Kilipa may have been... involved with someone.' Varnu spoke with obvious distaste, and was compelled to continue doing so by the examiner's silence. 'Most evenings I spend making notes, but on a few occasions I've seen him going for a walk. Please understand, I find it hard to speak poorly of a colleague, and only do so now in hopes it may be of use, but I believe he may have been calling on someone. And since his fiancé is unlikely to venture this far from the city, it... I'm sure you can see the likely implication.'

  The examiner nodded. 'Did you see which direction he headed?'

  'He headed north the few times I saw him go. The last time was last night. In fact, now I think about it, I'm not entirely sure he wasn't in the same clothes at breakfast. Anyway, last night I happened to be out for a stroll when I saw him, although I don't believe he saw me. He was headed east, towards Brass Rings, but he could have been taking a roundabout route to avoid suspicion.'

  'Thank you,' said the examiner, rising. 'I may have further questions.'

  'Are you sure,' said Varnu. 'I intended returning to Song of the Sun. After this I don't feel entirely safe. And without a translator I can't do much, were I willing to return to the ruins.'

  The examiner held him in a steady gaze. 'Remain available at the university should I require your assistance.'

  'Of course.'

  They left the nervous scholar, walking a short way before the examiner spoke. 'Brass Rings?'

  'A few houses about a mile outside the village. There's only one single woman there and I can't see him going to see her. Not because he wanted to, anyway.' The examiner held his gaze. Adajo felt irritation at being regarded as a witness. Suppressing it, he explained. 'Tsorina is an unofficial apothecary. He could have been going to her for medicine, although Varnu didn't mention any illness. If Kilipa had been involved with a local, well, Tsorina offers other remedies.'

  The examiner nodded. 'Lead on.'