Tes4Mod:Order of the Dragon/Brotherhood of the Knights V

Chapter V

Arril Stayranas did not believe in fateful moments, and his mind worked feverishly for a way to avoid this unpleasant situation. Just as he was about to rise from the chair and say goodbye to Estell, however, Diron Hayth directed his a word to him.

"Arril Stayranas? That is your name, isn't it?" he asked. As Arril nodded, he continued: "Were you Elistir Angodai's friend?"

"Yes," he hissed arduously. His voice was hoarse and cracked. What was Hayth up to? Did he know something? Or ... maybe he was one of those who had persecuted Elistir? He could not decide because he knew so little that he looked at everyone as a potential enemy.

"His death seems to have hit you hard," Dekano noted thoughtfully. "He truly must have been a great friend and an honorable man, if he deserves such a degree of sorrow."

Arril could muster only a nod. In addition to his despair and his poor form today for obvious reasons, he was angry about not having better control. He had always possessed a well-trained conscience for a trader, but as long as he made money, that fact had not disturbed him. 

Now it bothered him.

Hayth began to speak again, but Estell returned and put a glass of milk and a plate of cookies in front of Arril. The she smiled with gratitude to all who allowed his state of mind, and took a biscuit, just to be able to cling to something that was less conspicuous than the arm of the chair.

"Estell," Hayth said, and Arril was more than happy that the general attention was now focused on the woman. "You had mentioned earlier that you know something that us has potential to help you."

Estell looked questioningly, then her eyes cleared in understanding. "Yes, of course. So, that was really disturbing." She cast a sidelong glance at Arril, as if they did not know whether they should continue in his presence, or not. Hayth encouraged her with a gesture of his right hand. "Well, yes. When he came from the basement the day before yesterday, he obviously thought I was not home, because when he saw me, he was very surprised and hid his hand behind his back. But I could see it ... " She leaned forward slightly and at that moment Arril recognized the first emotion in the face of the woman who was referring to Elistir's death: bewilderment. "Someone had hacked off a finger!"

The expressions were splendid. Hayth leaned back, and the corners of his mouth pulled down and his eyebrows together, while Dekano breathed deeply once. Even Arril showed a reaction. He had been too aware that Elistir had chopped off the finger himself that he had wasted no thought to the mere possibility that someone might see it differently.
Now the fingers seemed to throb in his pocket, as if it wanted to jump out and reveal its being to everyone here. Mephala, Mephala. It was too much. Arril had to go. Absolutely.

Abruptly he stood up and scratched, stalling for time from that one movement as confidently as humanly possible. "Estell, Mr. investigators," he said, bowing slightly in that direction. "If you'll excuse me, I still have much to do today. Estell, please tell me when the funeral ceremonies take place. "

Estell smiled hesitantly and then nodded to him. "Of course. It was very nice to see you. Visit me again soon. "

"I will." With these words, Arril turned and realized that, sitting in a chair at the window, was a person who had behaved so quietly that he had not noticed before: Tesseck. The wizard ignored him, just staring out into the street, and gave off an image that he did not know from the otherwise always good-humored man. Of course, thought Arril. No matter what had happened in the past, Elistir and Tesseck were brothers. He had to be going through a difficult time.

Arril said nothing. Instead, he left the house.

Diron and Vion exchanged meaningful looks: There was something going on! He knew something! Vion wanted to get up and follow Stayranas, but Diron shook his head and indicated that he would take on this task. He said goodbye and went.

Around noon, it would be quieter in the streets than usual. Most people remained in their homes and kept quiet, because the sun was hot in the city. Also, Diron would have preferred to stay indoors; when he pulled his mask up to his eyes, he momentarily regretted having rejected Vion's offer. At least, he thought, Stayranas was not any better. The other man would certainly take shelter at his home soon.

Wrong. It seemed to Diron like followed Stayranas for an eternity, and he began to flirt with the idea that the trader's determination was only feigned. Did he know that Diron pursued him, and was therefore playing a trick on him? Or was he deliberately laying a false trail?

As Stayranas left the city, Diron was definitely queasy. Instead of following him, he went up the walls and watched the man as he stopped perhaps a hundred yards away from the gate, then drew back his arm and threw something away. Proof, maybe?

Diron waited until Stayranas had reentered the city, then he went down the wall and followed the footprints in the sand up to the point at which the trader had made his throw. He ran there, walked a hundred more steps in the direction of the throw - and found something. A folded piece of fabric lay on the ground. Curious what was probably hidden in it, Diron picked it up and unfolded it.

There was nothing in it.