An Official Report

Writers: Avery, Miriah
Date Posted: 7th May 2015

Characters: Corran, Karhal
Description: Corran reports the news to Karhal.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 12, day 18 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Wirnan, Zathris, Gautrek

Karhal

Corran's mind was still whirling with what he'd learned from the
kitchen workers. He hadn't been scheduled to report until later, but
this was significant enough that he hoped Karhal was available. Maybe
it was coincidence, maybe something worse.

He knocked on the guard captain's door and waited to be called in.

"Come in." Karhal sat behind the desk, his brow deeply furrowed as he
gazed over the hides from the previous night. The big man didn't look
up immediately, stroking his chin as he considered the reports from
the evening. Odd these. He glanced up, saw Corran and put the hides
down. "Ah, Corran. Come in. Have a seat."

The shorter guard took the seat and nodded at his boss. "Good
afternoon sir. Sorry I have some bad news."

That caused Karhal to quickly frown and sit up straighter. "What sort
of bad news?"

"Break-in in one of the kitchen storerooms. Some expensive fancy flour
tracked over the places. Some serving dishes and food cutlery
missing," Corran responded.

Karhal gave a soft curse. "Not again." He exhaled and rubbed his
temple. First the lights blowing out in storerooms, which had suddenly
stopped shortly before his wedding, and now this. He had thought the
matter had simply been a bit of children causing trouble. "What size
were the foot prints in the flour?" If it were those brats again, he'd
tan their hides himself.

"Small ones. I guess it could be kids nicking food," Corran said. But
his tone indicated he wasn't sure.

Karhal leaned back in his chair and tapped his chin. "I doubt it." He
replied in agreement with Corran's expression. "Last time it was just
kids making trouble." He jotted down the names they had ferreted out
before. "Check with this lot. They've done it before."

The other man nodded. "Will do."

"This is happening more often than I'd like. One incident, maybe two
don't cause much worry, but there's an air about these that I don't
like." Karhal's lips firmed. "Do me a favor, Corran. Spend some time
in the dining hall and extend your patrols around the Hold a bit.
Start listening. You're not as visible as I am and you might be able
to hear more than I might." He leaned back. "Is there anyone you can
trust who is not a guard to do some listening for us?"

Corran was glad Karhal was taking this seriously. He also had a bad
feeling. "I'll keep every ear open. In the Hold, I'd have to think.
Since the Vintners are also affected, mind if I consult with Gautrek?
People talk in the tavern, he's there enough, he might hear any of
their gossip."

"As long as Gautrek is going to be discreet. We'll keep this quiet for
right now." He looked over at his canine, who laid watching the pair
with interest. "Next time there's a theft, we'll see if Livie can
catch a scent." He drummed his fingers on the table. "Have Gautrek
report to you any thing he finds suspicious."

"He'll be discreet," Corran assured.

"Do you think it's organized banditry, or something closer to home?"

"I'm not sure. Usually bandits would attempt something bigger." The
Captain's brow furrowed. "Unless they're testing our security levels,
but still...I'm not feeling bandits on this one. Not yet. No, my gut
is telling me that this is internal."

"And we're not going to know what's happening or why until they strike
again or we hear something."

Karhal nodded slowly. "Agreed. We'll just have to be more watchful,
I'm afraid." He fingered the report on his desk. "I'll update Lord
Zathris. If you hear anything, Corran, even if it seems minor, let me
know immediately."

"Not a problem. Thanks for taking the time for this meeting," Corran said.

Last updated on the May 8th 2015

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