Hawk's Tale Chapter 1

Chapter 11

The night continued to be as cold and rainy as the day. The cold gray drizzle had washed away the crisp colors of fall, and served as a reminder that winter was just around the corner and that things were only going to get colder and darker.2

Lim snorted that last thought away as she closed the door on the weather.3

Silly girl, she thought, the weather is not forecasting things to come. It is just late fall, not the end of the world.4

Still, a shiver rose up her spine as she headed to her grandfather’s workroom.5

He looked up from his work as she entered and nodded in greeting, “Still no sign of him yet?”6

“No sign at all. Maybe he won’t come.”7

“You do not believe that anymore than I do.”8

Lim stopped in front of one of the old man’s many carvings. It was a hawk, just rising to flight. Lim ran her hand over it. It was so good that she could almost feel muscles flexing under the carved feathers. She paused and then before she realized it, she had opened her mouth and asked the question that plagued her.9

“Do you believe him?”10

Her grandfather looked up and Lim felt a shiver rise up her spine again. And this time the small hairs on the back of her neck lifted as well.11

Such a fierce old man you are, she thought, time does not dim your sight, but does your affection for him make you blind?12

“It is difficult to do so. But yes I do.”13

“How? You saw what I did.” Lim stopped. These questions could only cause him pain, but she had to ask. Even though they brought a terrible image to her mind, something she wished to deny with all her heart, but could not.14

Ten days ago, not more than a hundred paces from where they now stood, Lim and her grandfather had witnessed a terrible thing. His grandson, the most favored of his many children and grandchildren (although he would never admit it out loud), had been found standing over the body of a murdered man.15

Literally caught red handed, Lim thought, and it was not just any man. Our Quinn, he had to get himself accused of murdering a Kellerman. And someone well connected too, judging by all the fuss.16

In just a few days Quinn would be tried in a full court, by a Talent. The very person they were waiting for on this unpleasant evening.17

The old man sighed, “He looked me straight in the eye and said that he did not do the killing. There was no lie in his voice or eye or smell. None at all. He can kill, our Quinn, but not like that.”18

Lim nodded, “Yes, I would’ve expected Quinn to have challenged him to a duel or even goaded him into a brawl, but somewhere public. But not in secret and not...”19

“From behind,” her grandfather finished. “Yes, Quinn has a penchant for settling things with his fists, but he always makes sure it is done according to the rules. And things being what they are, even he would have had enough sense to avoid it. However, he did desire to leave a mark or two on that man with his fists.”20

Lim nodded again. Yes, that fit with what she thought of Quinn. It was good to see that her grandfather could see his flaws. Quinn had been open in his dislike of the recently deceased and unlamented Vladyv Kaspien. Lim suspected that her grandfather had not liked Kaspien either, but had been much better at hiding it.21

“We should not be discussing this, you know. We are both witnesses and will be called to tell what we saw. Their rules say that we should not talk about it, because what I think may change what you think. As I understand it, we will be suspect enough because we are his kin and therefore will be expected to have a bias.”22

“I know, but he won’t know.”23

“Child, the Lord ap Norman is Talent. He will know. Do not be fooled by his outward self. Unlike our people, the trueself of a Talent does not always show. Most often they are that way on purpose.”24

“Cecily is trueself, out and in.”25

He frowned, “The Healer ter Lamb,” he emphasized her formal title, “is a Healer. And you know that those like the Lord ap Norman are a different sort altogether. Magic flows through their veins like blood. And be careful; do not be so informal around other Talent. Your friend is a gentle soul and very suited to work among our people, but not all Talent are like that. Trust me in this, Lim. And for a change, heed what I say.”26

Lim nodded. It was an ongoing complaint of his that she never listened, which was untrue. Lim always listened to his advice; it was just sometimes she could not bring herself to follow it. But in this case he was right; most of what she knew of Talents came from Cecily, who was the gentlest person around. And she was one of the very few outsiders Lim had ever met who did not seem to still harbor the ages old distrust of the shifter folk.27

Shapeshifters had been in these lands for time beyond memory. They had been here when the Kellerman came to settle the lands to the east. Lim’s people had fought them off to retain most of their land. People from the lands to the south had never bothered them, they were too afraid of the dark forests and their mysterious inhabitants.28

Then other settlers had come, out of the mountains far to the west. They called their power Talent, and although it was only held by few, it was enough to defeat the shapeshifter clans. Many shapeshifters blamed the strife among their clans as the cause of their downfall. The conquered shapeshifters had been confined to a small portion of the land, forced to establish permanent settlements, and to stay in them. Never a numerous people, their numbers had dwindled because many could not adapt to this new way of life.29

It had only been in the time of the most recent King, Alain ap Gwydion that things had changed. Restrictions on movement had been softened and some of the old ways had resurfaced. Distrust was being replaced by a cautious understanding. Some heralded this as a new, enlightened way, but others (Lim’s grandfather in particular) recognized it as a product of increased strife between their conquerors and the Kellerman Empire. If ap Gwydion was going to war outside his kingdom, he had better be sure that affairs at home were secure. It would also help if he could add the powers of the shapeshifters to his army.30

Lim thought that her grandfather was right, but did not share his scorn for the King’s motivations. Freedom for her people would be best, but based on what she knew of the Kellerman Empire, she would rather be subject to Talents like Cecily than the likes of Kaspien. Some shapeshifters felt that they should take this opportunity to try to regain their independence. However, the only outcome Lim could see of that would be their destruction, caught between two greater powers.31

Therefore, the murder of a Kellerman at this particular moment did nothing to help an already tense situation. Murder by stealth was a rare crime among shapeshifters. Disagreements were often settled violently, but according to specific rules, and if there was a death it would be punished by a fine, banishment, or a bond of servitude. King Alain normally left such matters to the clans, but in this case, the Kellerman had demanded a different sort of justice. Therefore the Lord ap Norman was coming to their village. He was Lord of their province and would oversee the trial under the eye of an official the Kellerman would send. Quinn would be judged by procedures foreign to him, by people foreign to him, and unless things changed, would be punished in a foreign way too.32

Executed, Lim thought, more like slaughtered. Held down and butchered. Would they make him keep manform? Could they? If it was me, I would go insane and then they would have to hunt me down. No, worse, they would make my clan do it. I could not kill Quinn. She looked at her grandfather. And you could not either, not like that.33

“It is a good likeness, that?”34

“Huh?” Lim looked down and realized that she was stroking the carving of the hawk as she thought.35

“I’m not that scrawny looking.”36

“Hah, at first flight you were. But I will say that you have improved somewhat since then. A small bit.”37

Lim smiled at him. Although they both shared a bird form as trueself, her grandfather was an eagle, the largest of the breeds that were found in the land. Lim was a hawk in her trueform and was below average size for the breed, but she thought size should not be the sole measure of a person. Still, her grandfather liked to tease her about it.38

“How much longer should we wait for him?”39

Her grandfather had asked her to wait with him to greet Lord ap Norman. He had said that it would be best if he got to see both of them right away, so that he could question them if he wished.40

“Let's wait another hour or so. The Healer seemed certain that he would arrive tonight.”41

“Right,” a noise at the door caught her attention.42

“Hey, aren’t you supposed to be asleep?”43

“Little runion,” her grandfather mock growled. “Get yourself back to bed.”44

The child, his first great-grandchild, and Quinn’s first-born, pulled his thumb out of his mouth.45

“Lady on outporch.”46

“What?”47

“Lady,” he waved a chubby fist towards the door. “Wet lady.”48

“Oh, there is someone outside?”49

The child nodded and held his arms out to Lim, “Upsy!”50

She obliged. The child, who was named Connor after his great-grandfather, had come to stay with them for the duration of the trial.51

“Is it Cecily? Maybe she came to greet Lord ap Norman.”52

“No, not CC. Tall lady. And wet.”53

“Well, I should go get her out of the rain then. And you should go to back to bed. Lim please go settle him in.”54

“Yes, grandfather.”55

By the time Lim was able to return to the front room, Connor had ushered their guest in. She had pushed the hood of her cloak back, but had not yet removed it. It was not Cecily. She had a high sweet voice and spoke their language well. This woman had a deep husky voice and spoke their tongue hesitantly. 56

“….be coming. I come in place. He think I do well,” Lim caught the end of what she was saying as she entered the room. The woman glanced at Lim as she entered, then turned her attention back to her grandfather. 57

“Otherwise, long wait. Not good to wait long in this,” she paused and shook her head and muttered to herself. Her hands moved under her cloak and then produced a scroll case. As her hands parted the cloak to hand it out, Lim caught sight of a sword.58

“Here, Lord ap Norman write all in this…on this. Be reading, please.”59

She handed the case to Connor and then withdrew her hands back under her cloak. Lim watched her as he read. She seemed pretty composed for someone who had traveled in some lousy weather and then was being made to wait in her drippy outer things. Lim found herself staring harder and harder. She was trying to get a good look at this newcomer, but for some reason her features would just not register in Lim’s brain. It was like seeing someone from very far away, just out of the range of your vision, and Lim was exceptionally long sighted. She could tell that their visitor was tall and her hair was long and straight, but that was probably because it was very wet. But that was it.60

A surprised noise from her grandfather caught her attention. He looked up from the letter he was reading.61

“Please, let me take your cloak. I am sorry to have kept you waiting. Lady…”62

The woman raised one hand, halting his speech, “Ahh, not now. Now I am Skade. Later for other, eh?”63

“Yes, yes,” he switched languages, now speaking in the Lady Skade’s language. He did not use the language of their conquerors often, which made Lim realize that this was someone of some importance.64

“Lim, please help the, uh, the Lady Skade out of her wet things. Can we get you something to eat? Drink?”65

“A warm drink would be nice, but only if you will take something with me. If you do not mind, I would to like to be out of these wet things. I am not presentable at the moment. I would like to talk to you now, but not for too long.66

“No, just show me where to put it. You will get all wet if you take it,” this was to Lim, who had stepped forward to take her cloak. “Oh, I have settled my horse in one of the open stalls in the barn across the way there. No one was around, so I got him settled in myself. Is that alright?”67

“Oh, yes of course. No please, let my granddaughter take your things.”68

Now Lim could see that she also had a pair of saddle bags sitting at her feet. She accepted a very wet cloak from their visitor. It was very well made, if plain, and very well used. This woman was a seasoned traveler. Relieved of her cloak, she now turned to the sword at her side and removed it. Lim recognized it, although she had never seen anything like it before. The long, slender swords used by upper class warriors were famous. The flexible, yet strong blades were made using closely guarded methods. It took a lot of study and practice to use one. Lim used a short sword, when she had to use a bladed weapon. She really preferred, and was more competent with, the bow or the staff.69

The blade was in a scabbard that was of the same quality as the cloak, but also without adornment, and it had been wrapped as though the owner wanted to hid it.70

“Umm, where...” Lim realized that the Lady Skade was looking for a place to put her weapon. Lim had heard that among her people, most good homes had racks where weapons were placed as visitors entered.71

“Oh, yes, yes. Lim, take that cloak and hang it in my workroom to dry. There is a rack we can use by my work table. Hurry, now.”72

Lim did as she was told and returned with the rack. The Lady Skade set her blade in it.73

“Is this your work? ap Norman told me that you were exceptionally skilled. This is too nice a seat for this old knife.”74

“Why yes, but it is nothing,” Lim realized that her grandfather was unnerved by whatever he had read, that their visitor knew it, and was trying to put him at ease. And with nothing else but that to go on, Lim decided right there and then that she liked this Lady Skade. Who cared who she was and that you could not really see what she looked like.75

“You are too kind, milady. But please, we have no manners. I will have Lim show you your rooms and while you get changed we will get that warm drink for you. Then we can talk a bit. If you do not mind, she will join us. She was a witness to…this thing. So you will want to speak with her.”76

“I guess I will,” for the first time their visitor looked directly at Lim.77

She finally came into focus allowing Lim to get her first good look at the Lady Skade and see what had upset her grandfather so much. Not only was this woman a Talent, she was powerful. Lim had spent enough time around Lord ap Norman to learn what Talent felt like. Lim could never decide what sense she used to see Talent; it was like some combination of smell, taste and sight. Sometimes she could see an aura when Cecily healed, but not always. Shapeshifters did not practice magic. Then Lim realized that this woman had kept her from even sensing her Talent until she had revealed herself.78

Now this is Talent, she thought. Not at all like the Lord ap Norman. Not even close.79

The Lady Skade was tall and young with the build needed to use the sword she carried.80

Although I bet she had to work to get her wrists strong enough, she thought, and I’ll bet she probably wears bracers.81

Lim was accustomed to looking at faces of shifters and seeing trueself there, but this face told her nothing. Her features would have been rather unremarkable, except for one thing. The right side of her face was tattooed in a curve that started above her eyebrow, ran down her temple, and ended on her cheekbone. It appeared to be of vines. Lim was trying not to stare it, but it was difficult.82

Her grandfather cleared her throat and Lim saw the eyebrow under the tattoo lift a little.83

Stop staring, she scolded herself, she knows you are staring.84

“Please, this way milady. I will show you to your room,” Lim gestured towards the hall that led to the living quarters of the house.85

“Thank-you for your hospitality in this time,” the Lady Skade nodded to Connor and before Lim could reach them, picked up her saddle bags.86

“I will not be long. You will be here?”87

“No, we have a sitting room that is more comfortable. Lim will show you the way, once you are ready.”88

“Very good.”89

Their visitor did not have any more words for Lim as they walked down the hall the guest rooms. Lim could see her looking around, noting the location of hallways and other rooms, but she also took in the details of the carved beams and posts that adorned her grandfather’s house.90

“It is here milady. Can I get you some hot water, or maybe...”91

“No, I will be fine once I am changed. I will not be long.” 92

And with that she closed the door on Lim.93

Well, she thought, maybe I do not think she is that nice. That was a little rude. It would sure be nice to know what was in that letter.94

Lim also promised herself to have a little chat with Cecily as soon as possible. There were some more things that she needed to know. What she knew of the Healer and Lord ap Norman had not prepared her for this Lady Skade. She had sensed some similarity to ap Norman in her Talent, but it was just so much stronger. And of course, there was the whole question of why she was here at all.95

As she had promised, the Lady Skade was not long changing into dry clothing, or at least drier. Probably everything in her saddle bags was damp, but at least she was no longer dripping. She had also dried her hair and retied it in a neat braid. Still, Lim was almost hopping with impatience by the time the door opened again. Lim thought that she had composed herself, but she saw he eyebrow twitch again and realized that the Lady has sensed her impatience.96

“I am sorry to keep you waiting. I know that you are curious to know just why the Lord ap Norman is not here.”97

Lim started to stammer out a denial, but instead, “Did you just read my mind?”98

“Hmm, no, not in the way you mean it I think. But given the circumstances; a ‘mysterious stranger’ appears at your door on a dark and stormy night. Your grandfather gets a letter and does not share the contents with you. And then you have to wait to find out what is going on because the stranger insists on wearing dry clothes. I know I would be curious,” she was almost smiling now. “Any normal person would be. So lead on please, and I will see if I can accommodate you.”99

Lim ushered her into the sitting room. While he was waiting Connor had stirred up the fire and pulled three chairs close to it.100

“I have ordered a hot drink and a light meal. It should be almost ready. Lim, please go to the kitchen and get it for us.”101

Lim tried not to grind her teeth and headed to the kitchen. She wondered why her grandfather was trying to keep her in the dark.102

However, it seemed that the Lady Skade had meant what she had said; when Lim returned with the tray of food she found the two of them still exchanging pleasantries. And the Lady Skade kept up the exchange while she ate and drank. It was almost as if she was trying to push Lim’s patience to its limit.103

Skade complimented the various carvings on the posts in the hall, heard about Connor’s training as a woodcarver, about his opinions on what the best types of wood were and where they were found, and, of course, about the unpleasant weather. And then, just when Lim thought that she was about to explode, the Lady Skade drained her cup and set it aside.104

“So, now to my business here. You understand why this has to be done under our laws and not yours?”105

“Yes, yes. Vladyv Kaspien’s family has connections. So they have asked that this matter get...special attention. Can I tell my granddaughter why you are here instead of the Lord ap Norman?”106

“Yes, I can see no harm in that, if you can trust in her discretion.”107

Connor nodded, “Lord ap Norman has been hurt by a fall from his horse and is unable to travel. And his youngest son was killed in the same accident. His house is now in mourning, so other members of the family were not able to come. The Lady Skade was visiting Brecon and the Lord ap Norman asked her to come in his stead. He explains this in his letter and assures us that she will be a more than satisfactory replacement. The King has also been made aware of the situation and gives it his blessing. I think that explains everything.”108

Hardly, Lim thought. Her mind was whirling with questions. The type of question that her grandfather would not want her to ask.109

“So you came alone? Why you? Will the Lord Norman be alright? When will you start the trial?”110

Her grandfather started to apologize, but the Lady Skade held up a hand to stop him, “No, no, fair questions all. And they are somewhat connected. Some of the answers fall into the category of things that should not leave this room, however,” she paused to let this point sink in. “To put your mind at some ease, first, yes I think he will recover from his injuries. From the loss of a son...I cannot say. I understand that the boy had promise as Talent. The trial will start when the Kellerman official arrives and after I have finished my investigation. I hope that the latter will happen before the former. I came alone because I wanted to get here quickly, so I could start my investigation as soon as possible. With all that was going on in Brecon, it would have been a few days before I could get a proper escort. It also seemed prudent to travel with a low profile. One thing your grandfather left out is that the Lord Norman was on his way here when he was hurt.”111

Lim gasped, “You don’t think...”112

“I have no opinion yet. But it is something I will be asking about later, when the Kellerman official gets here.113

“So here is how it will go. I will look into the matter. Once that is done, we will all meet and I will disclose what I have found. The accused will have a chance to argue against what the facts tell me and introduce anything he feels I may have missed. In this instance we will also give the Kellerman representative his say. Then I will review what I have heard during our meeting and finally render a decision as to the guilt or innocence of the accused. Lastly, we will meet again to sentence him, if needed. Arguments for leniency will be heard at that time. Questions?”114

Before Lim could open her mouth her grandfather spoke up, “When will you start?”115

“Tomorrow.”116

“But how will you do this?” Lim asked. “You barely speak our language. You do not know us. And just how many trials have you presided over?”117

“Lim!”118

He looked quickly to the Lady Skade and then made a gesture with his hands. Lim was not sure, but it almost seemed that he was attempting to shield her from something. However, their guest did not seem offended. She leaned back in her chair a moment and propped her chin on one hand. The first two fingers lightly rubbed her tattooed temple. 119

“Well, I guess that I will need an interpreter. Could you loan me the services of your granddaughter for the duration of this trial?”120

Lim’s heart skipped a beat. This would also give her the chance to try and help find out what really happened. And there were other questions she had to ask that needed to wait until her grandfather was not around.121

“But she is a witness. Would that be proper? There is a Healer here who would serve better.”122

“Well, once I get her official statement down, then technically she is really no longer a witness. I really do not want to involve more people in the details than I have to. Who is the Healer?”123

“ter Moore. Cecily ter Moore.”124

“ter Moore,” she mused, “I know the family, if not her. Yes, you are right, she would be more appropriate. I will go talk to her tomorrow and then come back here for your statements. Then you can show me where you found the body. Then I think I should talk to...Quinn. That is his name, right?”125

“Yes, that is right.”126

“Good. And after that...well, we shall see. As for your other questions, the fact is, I am not unfamiliar with your people. Yes, I am relatively inexperienced, but I have been trained to do these duties. And there are reasons to clear this up as quickly as possible. Any other questions?”127

“No.”128

“Good. The next few days will be busy and difficult, so I will not keep you from your rest any longer. I will see myself to my room. Good night.”129

And just like that she left. Lim gaped after her for a moment and then turned to her grandfather with many more questions. However, Connor would not answer. Not any of them. He left Lim to go to his bed and ordered her to sleep as well.130

“Lim, just let it go. Take my earlier advice to heart. It will not do you or Quinn any good if you keep after her. She is not the same sort as the Lord ap Norman or the Healer ter Moore. And I think that you know it.”131

Lim said good night and headed to her room.132

Well, of course I am not going to ask her any more questions, she thought. But I am still going to talk to Cecily, and if I just happen to run into her… It won’t hurt for someone to keep an eye on what she is doing.