The Husband Poisoning Society, Chapter 7

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 now you’re a suspect, stupid girl.” Sven said. He backhanded Laila, knocking her backward a step.

I flinched. The blow triggered a memory of my own father, back on Earth. I’d felt blows like that. I rubbed my left arm. I’d felt worse too. I took a step forward. Fiona touched my arm. I looked at her. She shook her head.

The blonde bearded man, Magnus, spoke. “Don’t be so hard on her. You can’t expect sense from a woman.”

I once slapped a crown prince of Hyperborea. I’d only met Magnus, but I could feel my slapping hand tingling. 

“Lord Sven, who’s your companion?” I asked. 

“This is Lord Magnus. He is Laila’s fiancee.”

“He is not. I am not officially betrothed.”

Sven snorted. “Fine. He will be Laila’s fiancee, as soon as we arrange the formal ceremony and announcement.” 

Vincent stepped forward. “Lord Sven. Lord Magnus. We are taking note of where everyone was at the time of the duke’s death. Can you account for yourselves so we can cross you off the list of suspects?”

“Of course, your excellency.” Sven answered. “I was dancing the warrior dance with his grace. We had finished the dance, and his grace had gone for something to drink. I was with the other men of the dance when I heard my wife scream. I assumed that it was typical women’s hysteria until I met you.”

Vincent nodded, and looked at Magnus.

“Who is this foreigner?” Magnus said. 

“That is his excellency Count Vincent Metternich. He is investigating the murder on behalf of Duke Xander.”

“Metternich? He is Agarthan? Is he with the diplomatic delegation?”

“Yes I am, but not the Agarthan delegation. I am a friend and agent of his grace, Duke Leon Delmar. We four are acting as his grace’s personal investigative team.” Vincent indicated myself, Fiona, and Amy. 

Magnus nodded, but did not answer.

“Lord Magnus? Your location?” Vincent asked. 

“He was flirting with Lady Yvette Friggasdottir.” Laila said, not looking at Magnus. She pointed out a platinum blonde woman standing off a ways. “I saw them when I came back in.”

Magnus cleared his throat. “That is correct. I was speaking with Lady Yvette. Speaking.”

“Call it what you like.” Laila answered. 

“I call it poor manners,” Monique said. 

Magnus took a step towards Monique. “I’ll show you poor manners.”

Fiona stepped between Magnus and Monique. Magnus looked down at Fiona, eyebrows raised.

“Either way, that is an alibi.” Fiona said. 

Magnus moved to step around Fiona, she moved to block him again.

“Use your vision, Lord Magnus. See my aura. You cannot best me.”

He stopped. And gave Fiona an appraising look. His eyes widened, and he took a short step backward.

Sven watched Magnus, but said nothing. 

“Your grace.” A servant came running up to Duke Xander. “The signet ring. Duke Siggis’ signet ring. It is missing. And so is his wedding band.”

“Somebody stole his wedding ring? Why bother doing that?” I asked. 

“More important. Somebody stole the ducal signal ring for his clan.” Duke Xander said.

I looked at Leon, who shrugged.

“I’m missing something here.” I said.

“Without the signet ring, a new duke cannot be sworn in. Without the signet ring, their clan has no duke. The ring was blessed by the Twice Dead Gods. To lose it is a grave dishonor. Replacing the signet ring could take months, if it can be replaced at all. The gods may not grant their blessing a second time.”

“Somebody is looking to spread disorder and confusion in the clan then.” I said.

“Indeed. That is likely.” Fiona said, nodding. 

“Another clan perhaps?” Amy asked.

“Another Hyperborean would not stoop so low.” Duke Xander said. 

“Who else would benefit from stealing the ring?” Vincent asked.

“Agnar needs the ring if he wants to be duke.” I said. “But it would be foolish of him to take it. Maybe somebody wants to stop him from being duke. But why also take the wedding ring?”

“Could this be a servant or a slave, stealing them for their monetary value?” Amy asked. 

“It could,” I said. “But I think we should assume that isn’t the case. How does all of this add up? The duke is dead, murdered by poison. The murderer is a noble, or at least a guest at the wedding. Amy’s reading of the horn confirmed that. The murderer is wealthy and influential. Otherwise they’d have no way of getting an alchemically altered poison. The ducal signet ring is missing and the wedding ring is missing. This means that the killer wants to disrupt the proceedings. They want to prevent a new duke from being named. They want to prevent a new wedding from taking place. Otherwise, why take the rings?”

I paused and considered the options.

“This all points back to somebody wanting to throw the house into confusion. If there is another motive, I don’t see it. So that means that the killer is from a rival faction or an enemy. Your grace, who are the clan’s enemies?”  

Duke Xander grunted and put a hand to his chin. “Clan Wulfling has a long history of animosity with your House Voxcaelli. This wedding was to heal the breach.”

“House Voxcaelli has a history of animosity even with their friends.” Leon said. “That’s not a little surprising. If somebody from Ys did this, Duchess Voxcaelli would be my first guess. Poison. Offering one of her own. I could see this.”

“Your grace, you can’t mean that?” Monique said, her voice rising.

“That sounds like a big risk.” I said. “Who else is there?”

“Clan Wulfling and the island of Tech-Duinn are sworn enemies.”

I rolled my eyes. “Tech-Duinn are sworn enemies of all of Hyperborea. The clans raid Tech-Duinn for slaves constantly. Everyone knows this.”

Duke Xander looked away. “Such raids are not officially sanctioned by the crown.”

“They sanction the keeping of slaves from such raids though.” Fiona said.

“Nobody from Tech-Duinn is here.” I said.

“Don’t you mean nobody with official ties to Tech-Duinn, dearest?”

I started, then nodded. “Good point, Amy. They could have bought somebody off. Who else?”

Duke Xander stood silent for a long moment, then he shifted uncomfortably. “Clan Vosling and Clan Wulfling have been at each other’s throats for over a year. Clan Wulfling has been blocking Vosling’s proposal in the Folkmoot. If there is no duke, Clan Wulfling has no vote in the Folkmoot.”

“Is there a representative from Clan Vosling here?” I asked.

Duke Xander pointed to his chest. “I am the representative for Clan Volsing.”

“Well, if you’re behind this, you’re doing an admirable job suggesting otherwise.” Amy said. “Could your clan be acting without your knowledge?”

“It is not impossible that a baron has acted without my knowledge. Although it would be a blow to my reputation if this were so.”

“So.” I said. “We have representatives from House Voxcaelli. We have representatives from Clan Vosling. And we have possible hidden agents from Tech-Duinn. That would cast suspicion on Monique, but she has an alibi. It would also cast suspicion on Your Grace.”

I indicated Duke Xander.

“But,” I continued, “You were dancing the warrior dance with Duke Siggis’ and his sworn brothers, weren’t you?”

Duke Xander nodded.

“So if it is you, then you used an agent. And if it is House Voxcaelli, they didn’t use Monique.”

I sighed.

“We’re going to have to account for everybody.”

Duke Xander’s shoulders slumped. “And in the meantime, Clan Wulfling has no duke. And no vote.”

“What was the vote that Vosling and Wulfling were arguing over in the Folkmoot?” Amy asked.

Duke Xander shifted his feet. “Whether or not to demand tribute from Ys.”

Leon raised an eyebrow. “The Council of Lords would never agree to offer tribute. To do so would be to imply fealty to the Empire and King Hardrada. Ys values her independence.”

“Yes. We know. And if tribute was not given, the proposal is to declare war on Ys. Bring Ys into line like a rebellious province.”

“And was Clan Wulfling for or against this proposal?” Fiona asked.

“They were against.” Duke Xander looked at the ceiling.

Vincent coughed, “So your clan, Clan Vosling, is proposing something you expect to lead to war with Ys? I got the sense that you liked Yssians.”

“I have a deep respect for Yssians and for Ys. They should accept their place in the empire. This insistence, this pretense, to independence is silly. Hyperborea is the heir to Brenin Arzhur’s throne. Ys is the birthplace of Brenin Arzhur. We should be joined. It is so simple.”

“So, with Clan Wulfling without a vote, will this measure pass?” Lynn had a quaver in her voice, as she spoke. 

“The vote will be a tie, unless somebody else changes their vote. There are five great clans: Waegmunding, Yngling, Wulflling, Scylfling, and Vosling. In cases of a tie, King Hardrada would cast the tie-breaking vote. His majesty has always opposed Yssian independence.”

“When is the next vote scheduled?” I asked.

“In one week.” Duke Xander said.

“No pressure.” Vincent said, running his hand through his hair.