Warranting An Investigation

Writers: AL, Yvonne
Date Posted: 27th June 2008

Characters: Cyrek, Zathris
Description: Cyrek asks Zathris to check into a possible scam at one of the outlying cots
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 10, day 20 of Turn 4

Zathris

Cyrek sighed, ran a hand over his face, then rose from his chair to go find Zathris. It was in his handwriting, so it was Zathris who would be able to clarify things a little. He found the assistant Steward pouring over a list of figures at his desk, and Cyrek knocked on the door frame rather than interrupting him mid-figure. "I hope you have a moment, Zathris?"

"Yes, of course." Zathris set down his pen, then stood as Cyrek entered the room. "What can I do for you, Steward?"

"The report from Three Hills Cothold saying that they've lost three ovines for an unknown reason. Do you know if that was confirmed by a beastcrafter when they sent their message?"

"Three Hills?" Zathris tilted his head. "I'll have to check the records. I want to say no, but I'd rather check the records to make sure."

"Of course. I'm going by memory, here, but I do believe that I saw that Three Hills received a payout for three dead ovines around this time last turn, so I'm wondering what's going on. If you wouldn't mind going into the Records, too, and checking back two or three turns as well, I'd be much obliged."

"Certainly, if you'll excuse me, I'll go do that now and get back to you." Zathris turned and excited the room, striding down the hall do the records room. He shifted through the records until he found the ones containing information about Three Hills Cothold, specifically their livestock. He frowned as he saw that Cyrek was right - the hold had lost livestock around the same time every turn. He went back as far as five turns, then took the records and headed back to the stewards.

"It looks like you're right, Cyrek." Zathris held out the files to the Steward. "It goes back at least five turns, almost the same time every turn."

The Steward sighed and flipped through the files. There it was - a minor blip late in the winter, when one to four ovines mysteriously died. Livestock did sometimes die in the winter, but only if they were inadequately cared for or if there was a cold snap, but this was suspiciously regular... and hard to spot. Perhaps it was because he was looking at it with fresh eyes... "Well. I think that this warrants some investigating, don't you?"

"I would say so." Zathris nodded in agreement.

"Since you accepted the report this season, how would you feel about making the trip to Three Hills Cothold yourself? You can follow the river almost half way there, and from there a map and a compass should take you straight to it. I do believe that there's a cart track, too... it might be a good way to start familiarizing yourself with Amber Hills' territory."

"Certainly." Zathris gave the steward a smile. "It will be good for me to get to know Amber Hills better. Should I ask a beastcrafter to go with me?"

"Please. I want an accurate count of the Three Hills Cothold's herds, including unborn lambs, and if possible I want one of you to take a look at the carcasses of the ovines that were lost this winter." Cyrek glanced down at the files again. "I'd also like you to leave either tomorrow or the next day. If you leave just before dawn, you should have enough time to visit the Cothold and be back only a few candlemarks after the evening meal, unless you'd prefer to stay the night there."

Zathris nodded slowly. "I think whether or not I stay will depend on what I find." He gaze Cyrek a lopsided smile. "I don't think I'd really want to stay if I find anything dishonest."

"I'd imagine not," Cyrek said dryly. "Can you leave tomorrow, or will you need more time to prepare? And speaking of, is there anything that you're working on that's time sensitive?" The Steward doubted it, but he also couldn't keep track of the minutiae of each of his assistants' tasks.

Zathris shook his head. "No, I should be able to leave tomorrow, though that will depend on the beastcrafter and who is available of course. I'll let you know if I will have to leave any later than in the morning."

"If you can't leave first thing, then wait until the next day," Cyrek said firmly. "Otherwise you'll have to stay at Three Hills Cothold whether you wish to or not."

"Right. Is there anything else you need from me?" Zathris glanced down at the records."If not, I'll get these refiled and take care of some loose ends before I head out tomorrow."

Cyrek shook his head. "That's all. Thank you for looking into it for me, Zathris. I appreciate your willingness to go out on such short notice."

"Of course Cyrek." It was, after all, Zathris thought, his duty. Why shouldn't he be willing? "I'll get right on it."

Last updated on the June 28th 2008

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Warranting An Investigation