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

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  The enforcers' barracks was a small, two-storey, blocky building. It had a wide office and a few cells on the ground floor, and a handful of cramped sleeping rooms above, along with a washroom. Only two sleeping rooms had regular occupants, Adajo and Li, one of whom had to be there every night, so it had space enough for the examiner.

  'Varnu left for the city a few hours ago,' Adajo said as he returned to the barracks. The examiner finished his dinner at the table in the middle of the main room. His mask was off, leaving Adajo feeling awkward. Masks weren't usually worn when it was just enforcers present, but he'd only been around the other two, and wasn't certain how to react.

  The examiner's black hair was immaculate, and his strong features remained as impassive as his mask. He wasn't surprised by the news.

  'Suspicious?' asked Adajo.

  'Worth noting. His reasons may be as he claimed.'

  'One of the girls at the inn said he was a bit possessive of a package, didn't want anyone touching it. Most of his stuff he left, said he'd send for it.'

  'Nothing we found in the victim's room appeared of particular value,' said the examiner. They'd checked the room before speaking with Varnu, finding nothing other than clothes and a few notes.

  'I checked it again. Nothing seemed different. Whatever it was must have been in Varnu's room. Presumably something from the ruins. All his notes went with him.'

  'Not necessarily incriminating.'

  Adajo nodded, uncertain where to go now.

  'Myishu Tsotu,' said the examiner. It took a moment for Adajo to realise he'd introduced himself.

  'Zuvei Adajo,' he said. Realising he still wore his mask, he hurriedly removed it.

  Recovering his dinner from the stove, Adajo joined Tsotu at the table.

  'Where should we go next?' said Adajo. 'The ruins?'

  'From what I know of them, finding traces of interest could be difficult.'

  'They're spread out. Over twice the size of the village, and that’s just the main area. We may be able to spot where they've been. I doubt they'd have hid their tracks. And someone here probably spied on them out of curiosity.'

  'Anything of interest at the ruins is more than likely now with Varnu or the killer. No, I believe following him back to Song of the Sun may be wise. Arriving early tomorrow afternoon should allow him time to feel we weren't following, and allow news of Kilipa's death to spread. It should mean the shock will have passed when we question people.'

  'We?' said Adajo.

  Tsotu raised an eyebrow. 'Don't you wish to continue the investigation?'

  'Of course. I assumed you'd get your enforcers to help you there.'

  'The murder occurred here. Local knowledge may be required. Can the village do without you for a day or two?'

  'Yes,' said Adajo, trying to control his enthusiasm. He'd never had an excuse to go to the city before, even if it was only a few hours away. It was simply not done without reason. It was the investigation which interested him, though. Learning how an examiner worked was of more interest than his regular duties, which at most comprised of dealing with those who got too drunk. For which he'd soon need to go on patrol.

  With Li not returned today, Kuon would be on his own for at least the morning. At worst, he'd have to stay sober in the evening, and Adajo could live with that. He already got the worst jobs anyway.