Report From the Hunt

Writers: Aaron, Miriah
Date Posted: 27th October 2019

Characters: Rorrigraf, Unnamed Hunter
Description: A hunter brings news of his quarry.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 13, day 16 of Turn 10
Notes: Lusilk (Not by name), Lorican (not by name), Bryvin

"My Lord," the meek drudge knocked on the office door, looking
hesitant. "Forgive the interruption, but there is a man outside who is
demanding to speak with you. He looks..." She frowned. "The
Headwoman's already left for her chambers and the guards won't get
near him. Should I let him in?"

Rorrigraf had been prepared to snap at the drudge for presuming to
interrupt him, but at her words, he raised an eyebrow and removed his
reading glasses.

"Take a good look at him. If he's got a red handkerchief hanging out
of his pocket, let him in." It was unlikely he would not if the
Headwoman and the guard had removed themselves for the sake of
plausible deniability. But he would be sure before be simply let
someone in unannounced. "And if you let him in, I want you to retire
to your quarters as well."

The drudge frowned, but nodded quickly, unwilling to risk his wrath by
questioning him. "Yes, my Lord." She hurried away, wringing her hand
and wishing that the Headwoman had explained what exactly was going on
before she retired. The man was dirty, scruffy and looked thoroughly
disreputable, but held such an air of command that she hadn't been
able to bring herself to dismiss him.

As she exited the main doors and looked at the man, she noted the bit
of dirty red hanging from the pocket at his hip. She blinked, cleared
her throat, and spoke softly. "My Lord will you see you, sir. If
you'll follow me..."

The man interrupted her. "I know the way." He strode in, brushing past
her and she wrinkled her nose at the scent of stale sweaty runner and
travel dust that he carried with him. She almost followed him to the
office, but remembering Lord Rorrigraf's command, thankfully slipped
away to her own quarters.

The man did indeed know the way, presenting himself at the Lord
Holder's office with a bow. "My Lord. I've news."

Rorrigraf knew by now not to get his hopes up at this stage. After
five Turns of 'My Lord. I've news,' he was not about to believe his
search was truly at an end. But. His heart quickened to spite him as
he heard the words.

"Speak," he commanded. The man had always been well compensated for
his work despite the lack of results so far. Rorrigraf had more sets
of eyes than just these on his quarry, and they watched each other as
much as they watched for the woman who had kidnapped his heir. And
Rorrigraf had heard naught but praise of the way this particular
bounty hunter conducted his searching. That was at least part of the
reason for his tentative excitement. However, none of that excitement
showed in his expression.

"She's been seen at Sunstone Sea Hold, my Lord, a sevenday ago. One of
my contacts saw her himself. He didn't report her with the heir, nor did they
see him, but she was noticed going into Lord Bryvin's office by one of
my contacts. It was late and she wasn't in there long, but Lord Bryvin
is known for having many lovers. She may be among them. She was only
seen once, but it's likely that she may still be in the area,
especially if she's any connection with the Lord Holder there."

Rorrigraf frowned. This was a poor turn of events. If she had the
protection of a Lord – if she became a Lord's consort... It would not
make things impossible, but it would complicate them quite a bit.

"Find her. Follow her. She won't be gone forever from wherever she is
holding him. Once we know where he is, we can extract him and bring
him here." They had been this close before. But perhaps this time...

"Do not lose her again. If she means to worm her way into another bed,
she may very well stay long enough to become complacent."

"My Lord, my reports about Lord Bryvin is that he can be reasonable if
there's a profit in it, consort or not. If she isn't there, should I
make an offer? He may be able to assist for the right price."

Rorrigraf blew air audibly through his nose– a sigh, a scoff, it was
hard to say. His expression remained unchanged.

"I have lost that gamble too many times already. Be prepared to make
the offer, but do not reach out to Lord Bryvin unless it becomes clear
that the girl will not lead you to him. I have tasted disappointment
too many times yet. I would see my heir rescued and returned before he
is too old to be properly educated."

The man nodded, paused, then cleared his throat. "There's another
matter, my Lord. Only a rumor, but one that may need to be looked in
to. Certain of my ...contacts report that a woman was contracted to
take out a smith for some rich Holder; it sounds like her line of
work, but this woman failed in the contract. They're looking for her
and the smith. Rumor has it that there's prices on both their heads.
If that woman is _her_, and it may not be, but she may be dead before
your heir can be found. Her sort work quickly."

Burn it all to the Red Star and back. What were the odds that the
disgusting lawless brigand he was after was the same disgusting
lawless brigand? It sounded like her, sloppy, unable to finish a
simple job.

"Keep all of your eyes and ears open," said Rorrigraf. "Be prepared to
spin a tale for Bryvin – something about the boy's mother getting
mixed up in the wrong sort of crowd, needing our protection, that sort
of thing. But I want your top priority to remain finding my heir and
bringing him here before she finds him missing. And fate willing, she
will meet a convenient end once he's safe with me here."

"If that isn't possible, then go to Bryvin."

"Yes, my Lord. If I hear any more news, I'll send you a message as
soon as I hear it. I do need a new runner. My last one is lame and I
need a faster one to get there in good time."

Rorrigraf replaced his reading glasses and took a sheet of paper from
within his desk. He carefully but quickly wrote a message to his
stablemaster, ordering him to provide the man who bore the letter with
their fastest runnerbeast. He signed the letter and folded it. Taking
a candle from his desk, he poured a good-sized blob of the melted wax
onto the letter and then pressed his signet into it to seal it.

"Take this to the stablemaster, and he will outfit you and your new
runnerbeast. Is there anything else?" he asked as he held the letter
out to the man.

Tucking the message into a satchel, he shrugged. "Maybe a woman for
the night, if you don't mind me partaking in your Hold before I rest
up. The drudge that brought me here looks serviceable enough. I've
been on the trail for a month." He offered a half-smile that lacked
real humor. "I'll get the boy for you, my Lord. I'm getting close, I
can feel it in my guts."

"She should be in the drudges' quarters by now – do as you like with
her so long as she can still work in the morning," said Rorrigraf,
waving a hand dismissively.

"I'm putting my trust in you. Don't disappoint me."

"Thank you as always. I won't, my Lord." The hunter bowed respectfully
and stepped out, mind working. He had much to do, but for tonight,
he'd take advantage of his employer's largess. His idea could be
implemented after he'd slaked his needs and rested. He turned towards
the drudges quarters, intent on a temporary new quarry.

Last updated on the December 18th 2019

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