The group could not see signs of corruption in the scared girl looking at them behind the window. Rasvahn took the girl outside but she seemed scared of him, at which point Vass approached her. The sight of an armored knight seemed to appease her and Vass placed her on the wagon with Bangor and Kang. After a brief introductory conversation that among other things suggested that the girl was sane—for the most part anyway—and that she was the only person on the manor (and had stayed there out of fear of the villagers) the group left.
The girl—a freckled, blonde, pigtailed 11-year-old—identified herself as Isabella, the Lady Sophia Renauld’s servant-girl.
“Sophia Renauld,” Orecius mused as he, Andrion, and Vass rode ahead of the wagon, “I believe I have seen a play of hers. She is a playwright. Didn’t know she lived here.”
“Me neither,” Vass admitted. “I know of her too. She’s supposed to be under house arrest.”
“Why is that?” Andrion asked.
“It makes sense,” Orecius said. “The play I’d seen was a satirical story regarding—among other things—the Ascended King’s love life. In that play he romanced several deities, among them Sis, a goddess most dark and forbidden. I know that raised the ire of the Ascended King’s court; however I didn’t know they had placed her under house arrest.”
“It wasn’t the story you just described that did it,” Vass explained, “but her next one. I only know its title was ‘Carcosa’ and she was branded a heretic for writing it. All the actors and producers involved in it were executed, but Renauld had many fans within the court, so his Majesty merely detained her.”
Though he tried to hide it, Andrion’s body language showed a great interest in Renauld’s story.
“I did not know that,” Orecius said with a grim look on his face. “What you speak of, your Highness, is most dire. I have heard the word ‘Carcosa’ before. I know not what it is, but what I do know is that one of Helgore’s titles is ‘Lord of Carcosa’.”
Vass looked at Orecius surprised. “You sure about that?”
“I assure you, I do not make mistakes regarding such matters,” the wizard replied.
“This is some coincidence,” Andrion said, “a heretical playwright who wrote about Carcosa—something connected with the Blood Moon—in such close proximity to the one place that, according to Orecius, the Blood Moon is best visible.”
“Well, I don’t believe in coincidences,” said Vass.
“Me neither,” Orecius concurred. “Baron Von Montarius, from what I understand you too are a scholar. Would you happen to know anything about this Carcosa? Perhaps some books in Stregonia might have information that I have no access to here in Havnor.”
“I know nothing regarding Carcosa,” Andrion flatly replied and with that statement seeds of descent were sown, for Vass Jaquel Draracle was the best amongst them in picking up lies, and he knew with great certainty that what Andrion Von Montarius-Dragomir had just said was indeed a lie. However the knight chose not to voice this suspicion to the group but resolved to keep an eye on the runepriest.
After making sure that they were a safe distance away from Heathglow, and the villagers’ torches were no longer visible, the Immortal Lords-to-be slowed their pace. The three riders surrounded the wagon. It was time to have a deeper conversation with Isabella.
“Little Isabella,” Orecius asked, “can you please tell me when did the villagers start to behave strangely?”
“I’m not sure, gran’pa,” she replied. The girl was no longer scared. “I think about a week or two ago.”
“So, the eclipse didn’t cause this,” Andrion noted.
“And where is the Lady Sophia now?” Orecius asked the girl.
“She left for Black Tower yesterday,” the girl cheerfully replied.
“She shouldn’t be able to, there should be guards to stop her,” Vass said in the language of Ancient Havnor. He didn’t want the girl to understand him and so he spoke in a language that he assumed Orecius at the very least would understand. The wizard nodded but both were surprised by Isabella’s reaction who laughed.
“You speak funny!” she said. “Just like my mistress does.”
“Why did your mistress go to Black Tower?” Andrion asked.
“She didn’t tell me, mistress never tells me anything,” the girl replied, “but I listen when she talks to others or to herself.”
“She talks to herself often?” Vass asked.
“Well, more often than others in the manor.”
“And tell me, little Isabella,” Orecius said, “what sort of things have you heard her say?”
“Well, that she is anxious and excited that her old friend is coming—at least that’s the one thing she most often talks about.”
“And do you know who that friend is?” the wizard asked with a mellow voice.
“I’ m sorry gran’pa. Even as I was telling you this, I’ve been trying to remember his name but I can’t.”
“Weren’t there guards stationed at the manor?” the duke asked.
“My mistress poisoned them a month ago,” Isabella replied with such simplicity that it shook everyone.
Vass gritted his teeth. “Something tells me that this Sophia Renauld is tied to this whole ‘Helgore’ business.”
“That’s IT!” the girl exclaimed. “That’s the name! ‘Helgore’! That’s my mistress’ friend!”
Orecius sighed. “My dear sweet child, I fear that your mistress has done something horrible.”
Isabella lowered her head. “I know, gran’pa.” she said sadly. “I’m afraid of her. She is not a good person. Will you please protect me?”
“Of course, child,” the old man replied with a fake smile in an attempt to hide his worry. “With us you are safe. Nothing can harm you while we’re with you.” It didn’t take Vass’ superior insight to know that the wizard was lying.
“Orecius, Andrion,” Vass called out. “Ride ahead with me.”
The three of them galloped several feet ahead of the wagon.
“I fear,” the wizard said, “that Sophia Renauld is a cultist.”
“I figured as much,” the paladin said. “Is it possible that this woman did something at Black Tower that may have caused the Blood Moon phenomenon?”
“Obviously the triple eclipse was a natural phenomenon,” the old man replied. “However, all other events surrounding it could well be the result of dark rituals and this Sophia Renauld may very well be the instigator—or she is in collusion with the instigators.”
“So there must be cultists in Black Tower right now,” Andrion said.
“There is also another thing that disturbs me,” Orecius commented. “Officially, Black Tower is supposed to safeguard this part of Havnor, but if one considers its location and the fact that Black Tower and Aracorn Fortress are built on the only two openings that lead to the Desert of Bleached Bones, then you can see that its location is far from optimal. In other words, these two fortresses were built for different reasons than what the public is told.”
“Your point being?” Vass asked.
“When I confronted Commander McKenzie about it,” Orecius explained, “he more or less threatened to execute me. And now we learn that Renauld is there as well.”
“You know as well as I do,” Vass said, “that McKenzie’s reaction was typical of a Repulsar. Doesn’t mean he’s a cultist too. As for the true reason behind Black Tower’s location, I’m afraid that’s the first I hear of this.”
“We shall see,” Orecius said. “The more time goes on, the more worried I become of my people at my castle. We must make haste.”
And with that the companions focused on their journey…
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