D.D. Ward is Writing

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...