Field of Death: Part VII

When the gates of Camelot came into view, Ian braced himself for the scene that would surely come when they entered the courtyard. Already he could see someone standing off to the side of the guard post, waiting to greet whichever loved one had ridden out on this patrol with him this morning. He hoped it was not one of the five who'd died.
Five dead. One of them a youngster barely two months in the Watch.
Five dead too many.

The distance to the gates narrowed and as he drew closer, Ian realized the person standing up ahead was his wife. Was there something wrong with the children? Had Ashe left after all? He resisted the impulse to spur Horse forward ahead of the others, telling himself if some bad thing had happened Skye would have ridden out to find him as soon as she could. So he maintained his composure until he'd finally ridden up to where she waited with her horse. "Hello, love."

Skye reached up to place a hand on his. "Ian, there's been another death. You remember the wedding some of the men asked leave to attend?"

"Aye. Lad named Tyler and a girl from Valorward, wasn't it?"

She nodded. "It's Tyler. He was killed outside the hall and his new wife was the one who found him. A rider came in with the news an hour after you rode out. He said they'd been searching the woods around the area all night."

"All night? Why didn't they send someone sooner?"

"Those of our men who were there wanted to do it at once, but the other guests stopped them. They said you hadn't been able to find the killer before, that it was up to them to do what you couldn't." Her jaw set in anger. "I gather they prevented by force any message being sent. There was fighting, Ian."

He swore softly, then turned to Marcus and Timmons. "Take care of things here, will you, Timmons ? Marcus, get a change of mount and another patrol together and follow us when you can." He waited while Skye gave Marcus the directions to where the murder had taken place before climbing up on her own horse.

"Don't you dare tell me I'm not going with you, Ian Blackthorn!"

He knew better than to argue with her when that tone of voice was used. "Alright, love, I won't." He nodded goodbye to Marcus, then rode off with Skye at a gallop."

*****

Chaos ruled at the wedding hall as the Blackthorn's rode into the clearing. Off to one side stood about ten of his men in uniform but weaponless, hemmed against the building by a group of angry farmers holding scythes and clubs. There was no sign of bloodshed, although many in both groups showed either black eyes, split lips or angry bruises on their faces. Another group milled about on the other side of the clearing, still clad in their wedding finery, arguing amongst themselves over what to do next. They had some terrified man bound tightly lying on the ground before them, and when the captive saw Ian and Skye ride closer, he tried to get to his feet. "Help me! I told them I had noth---"

A blow to the head sent him sprawling. "That will be enough from you, scum! Save the begging for mercy until we are hanging you!" The crowd roared its approval and several others men stepped forwards to deliver more blows on the prisoner.

"The next person to strike that man will lose a hand." Ian remarked with a voice that while not a shout, certainly caused all to stop in place and look up at him.

The first speaker gave a gap-toothed smile. "And who's going to stop us, heh? It's just you and your wife against all o' us. Yon men of yours left their swords on their Horses and can't get them now. So, just why should we fear you, Captain Blackthorn?"

"Because he'll kill half of you before you pull him down, and no doubt the young lady there will do for the rest of you." An angry- faced woman pushed her way through the crowd and reaching up, grabbed the leader's ear and gave it a twist. "Now stop acting like a jackass, Thomas, and let that poor man up so he can defend himself."

"Yes, Aunt Gloria! OW! That hurts!"

"You'll hurt more if you don't stop this foolishness. Half the night spent thrashing about the woods, and you drag this poor man back. Luke!"

Another man forced his way through the crowd. He looked up and nodded to the Blackthorns before he turned to the woman. "Yes, Aunt?"

"Will you tell these terribly thick-headed men to go home and let the Captain here get to work on finding your brother's killer?"

He nodded. He approached several of the men and spoke quietly; after he finished, the crowd began to break up into smaller groups that moved away, albeit with dark stares directed towards Ian and Skye. As for the unfortunate Thomas, Aunt Gloria gave his ear another tug and then released him. "Go home to your wife, Thomas. There is already one death too many here, and you wanted to shed more blood? Go home, before I drag you home by your damn ear!" Thomas nodded frantically and nearly ran off. Aunt Gloria seemed a very formidable woman; Ian was willing to bet she would do exactly what she said, and obviously Thomas did too. With his hasty departure, the men holding the members of the Watch at bay backed off and the soldiers retrieved their weapons.

The woman waited until Thomas was well out of range of their voices before speaking again. "Don't make a liar out of me, Lord Blackthorn. Find the person who did this to Tyler. He was a good boy, and he and Marianne love…loved each other. Luke will show you where it happened. I'm going to try to get Marianne to leave the hall now; she's sitting in there next to his body."

Ian kept his face from showing his dismay at that last bit of news. They'd moved the body. But what else could they have done, he asked himself as he swung down off his saddle? He looked across at Skye, then turned to Luke and his Aunt. "Might milady wife come with you? She might be able to find something that might help if she examines your nephew."

They nodded agreement, then Ian stepped over and spoke quietly with Skye. "You know what to look for, love. See if the girl can tell you anything, too."

"Be careful, Ian. This could get out of control again easily" She walked over, and slipping an arm under Aunt Gloria's, set off with the older woman for the hall.

Ian turned and looked at Luke and the still bound man. He walked over, drew a dagger, and cut through the ropes, then stepped back and helped the man to his feet.

"Suppose we start with you telling me what you were doing out here alone at night?"