The Husband Poisoning Society, Chapter 13

The castle belonged to Clan Wulfling, and Duke Xander was a guest like us. We found him in his room after a quick knock on the door. He was still dressed. 

“Part of my vision has occurred.” I said. 

Xander raised an eyebrow and then nodded. “Which part?”

“We were attacked by an immortal assassin.”

Xander nodded, “You fought it off? Did it retreat?”

I watched Xander’s eyes. He didn’t look surprised. 

“No. Fiona and Vincent killed it. The body is still in our room.”

“Fiona killed it,” Vincent corrected. “I helped keep it distracted.”

Now Xander did look surprised. He turned to look at Fiona in her scanty evening dress. Fiona stood five foot two and people underestimated her. 

“An immortal that can transform into a bat-like form would not be a young immortal. To best such a foe is impressive. To best such a foe in evening wear is beyond impressive.”

Amy raised her hand. Duke Xander looked at her and smiled. “Yes. The gentle one. What is it?”

“Do you know who might send an assassin, your grace?”

Xander looked away. “I assume that the source of the assassin was likely House Vosling or the king himself. Seers are dangerous. Who knows what they may see? Who knows what they may expose?”

“They could capture and enslave me, like they do the Tech-Duinn seers.” I said. 

Xander flinched. “There may be other reasons.”

“Who would know those reasons?” Amy asked.

“Whoever sent the assassin.” Xander answered. 

“Could you speculate on their motives?” Amy asked. 

“The tall one is the She-wolf of Ys. That alone is reason to have her killed. His majesty has not forgiven the death of his eldest son.”

Lynn screwed up her face, and then said, “I did that, you know. I poisoned him with the silver potion. You blaming Ren for that is unfair.”

“Our spies say that the She-wolf supplied the potion. She also killed our agent in house Octavian.”

“Again, with help. My help.” Fiona said. 

“And mine.” Vincent added. 

Duke Xander looked at us like a cornered wolf. 

“Could this relate to the Folkmoot?” I asked, and relief spread across Xander’s face.

“Everything relates back to the Folkmoot. The upcoming vote will seal the fate of the Boro Sea for a generation. 

“Could you not change your vote at the Folkmoot?” I asked.

Xander sighed and looked away.

“It is not my vote. Dukes have their duties. But the Folkmoot is not among them. We manage our duchies. My younger brother Vanni is the Volsing representative at the Folkmoot. Vanni is, he is not as reasonable as I am. I do not want war with Ys. It would destroy a fine province. I do not want to see your people in fire and chains. Vanni has other ideas.”

“So what does that mean?”

“It means I cannot give my little brother an excuse to go to war. I must wrap this up before the folkmoot. I need a killer to hand to the King. And it must be one that does not give Vanni more weapons against Ys. It must also be one that does not embarrass Hyperborea.  There is only one way through this. And I expect that none of us like it."

I did the math. Xander was afraid Agnar was the killer. To be honest, I could see why. And Xander was afraid that exposing Agnar would cause a scandal. And he was afraid that might lead the folkmoot to do something rash. We shouldn’t have been the investigators in hindsight. Us discovering a Hyperborean killer would embarrass the folkmoot no end. Xander couldn’t blame any of the titled Yssian guests, that ruled out Leon, Lynn, and Fiona. He wouldn’t dare anger Agartha by accusing Vincent. But myself and Amy were fair game. And me? I was already infamous as a troublemaker. People already blamed me for poisoning Prince Wulfric and killing my own father. I was a perfect scapegoat. I wasn’t important enough to go to war over. I was obvious enough that people would buy the frame up.

I looked Duke Xander in the eyes. An understanding passed between us. 

“I know what you mean. But it isn’t going to go the way you hope.”

“I was afraid that you might think so.” the duke said.