D.D. Ward is Writing

Chapter Seven: Magnus Back at the longhouse, we reconvened and discussed our next moves.  “Well, that narrows things down somewhat,’ I said. I turned back to Duke Xander. “Your Grace, could you have your soldiers question the guests. We need to know where they all were at the time of the death and right before it.” Duke Xander looked at Leon, who nodded. Xander turned back to me. “Of course. That makes good sense.” I did my best not to sulk. I don’t know if I succeeded. “Laila, there you are.” I looked to see Sven marching towards us with a blonde bearded man behind him.  Laila rolled her eyes, “Father. Magnus.” “Laila, what are you doing following the foreigners around?  “There’s nothing else interesting happening.” Laila glanced at Monique. “Actually,” I said. “We should confirm where you were when the duke died.” “I had stepped out for some fresh air.” Laila said.  “Can anyone confirm that?” Amy asked. Laila considered for a moment, “No, I don’t think so.” “And no...

Chapter Six: Lord and Duke Lord Agnar had not attended the wedding. We had to go to Castle Wulfling to speak with the duke’s younger brother. The game designers had based the Hyperboreans on ancient Norse civilization. I didn’t think that the Vikings had a lot of castles. But there was one thing that I had learned while living in the world of Ossedei. The game designers were not sticklers for accuracy. The castle seemed built in an Anglo-Saxon style. Tapestries hung on the walls, but the castle was as cold as the longhouse. I began to wish I’d brought a shawl. Quincy shuffled at my feet and shivered in excitement.  “Lord Agnar,” Duke Xander stared at the younger man, “You were not at the celebration. And now your brother is dead. It does not look good. What do you say for yourself?” “Duke Agnar. Brother Siggis is dead. Therefore, I am Duke.” “Not yet. The King has not transferred the ducal signet ring or the rank to you yet. He may choose somebody else.” “The duchy is mine by right...

Chapter Five: Monique Lynn eyed the body. “When did this happen?” “Just now. He’s been poisoned.” Monique put a hand to her mouth. I worried she might be sick. She stepped past the crowd and crouched near the body. As she approached, I noticed she had a black eye.  “Husband. I barely knew you. And now you’re gone.” She stood and looked at Lynn. “What do I do now?” Lynn put a hand on Monique’s shoulder. “For now, you wait. If a man is dead from poison, then there are politics at play.” Laila put her hands on her hips. “You dodged a cannonball here, your grace. If he was any sort of a catch, he wouldn’t have to go across the Boro Sea to get a bride. Nobody liked Duke Siggis, he certainly didn’t deserve somebody who looks as good as you.” Monique turned a deep shade of pink at the comments. She touched the bruised eye. “I’m sure my husband wasn’t as bad as all that.” I considered the circumstances for the moment. “Monique? Where were you just now that you didn’t see the commotion when...

Chapter Four: Laila “We should question the person who found the body,” Fiona said.  I picked Ada Gertrudsdottir out of the crowd and waved her over. As Ada walked towards us a young woman pushed through the crowd to join her. The new woman had rich red hair and bright green eyes. She was dressed in a hangerok, a traditional Hyperborean dress that looked like an apron. “Mother, don’t talk to them. You can’t trust their motives.” The young woman said. Ada turned and snorted, “I trust this one. She drinks like an honest warrior.” “Mother. You can’t base trust on drunkenness.” “Laila. Our duke is dead. What am I to do? Nothing?” “Ada,” I said. “Was the duke alive when you saw him? Or did you find him dead?” “He died in front of me. This is why I scream. I have seen many dead bodies in my time. They do not scare me. But I have never had a man die in front of me, bleeding from his eyes and mouth. That is new. And not a good new.” “Mother. Stop.” I turned to face the daughter, “I’m sorry...