The Husband Poisoning Society, Chapter 26

Leon stared at us. Then he sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He turned and closed the door. Then he produced a room key and locked the door.

“Ren, you are caked in blood. What has happened?”

“A little torture. Not all the blood is mine.” I said. 

Fiona bowed. “I made a rash decision and acted to save my fiance. I apologize. I know this makes things difficult for you.”

Vincent stepped forward. “She didn’t act alone.”

“I was there as well.” Amy said.

“So was I, your grace.” Laila said.

Leon’s eyebrows rose. “You? Why would you help?”

“Your wife saved me from a beating at the hands of Lord Agnar. They would not have escaped without me.”

“My fiance.” Leon corrected.

Vincent grinned, “She was talking with Monique and overheard us plotting.”

Again Monique and Laila reddened. 

Leon nodded. “Did you kill anyone?”

“Half a dozen guards. Several monsters. And one feral giant.”

Leon stared. “I’m sorry. Did you say a feral giant?”

Fiona nodded. 

Leon shook his head. “I could declare war on Hyperborea with you alone.”

Leon went quiet again. Then, “You didn’t kill any nobility?”

 We shook our heads. Then I spoke. “Duke Xander was overseeing my torture. Fiona knocked him out.”

“Did he see you?” Leon asked.

Fiona nodded. “Perhaps not Amy and Laila. They hung back during the fight. But definitely Vincent and I.”

“We need to find the killer and use that identity as leverage to force Hyperborea to back down.” Vincent said. 

I nodded. Lynn shook her head. “But you have nothing. Your investigation turned up nothing useful. How will you do that?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “It would be a hell of a lot easier if the killer confessed. But that isn’t going to happen.”

Leon crossed his arms. “I can’t be seen to help you. I can’t even be seen to be aware or in contact with you. Not in an official capacity. Officially I’d be required to turn you over to Hyperborea and let you be judged by them.”

“Your grace. Leon.” Amy said, clasping her hands. “Please. You have to help Ren. She’s your friend.”

Leon nodded. “You are all my friends. This is not a position I am glad to be in.”

“Turning us in will not help Ys.” Fiona said. “They intended to use Ren as a pretext for war. They will use anything for a pretext at this point. There is no value in turning us in. Not for Ys.”

Leon turned away and clasped his hands behind his back. Leon had a terrible poker face. But I couldn’t read it from behind. 

Vincent coughed, “There is also the small matter of the fact that Ren is innocent. It would be a miscarriage of justice to hand her back to a corrupt system.”

Leon said nothing. 

“Leon.” I said. “If I thought this would help Ys. I would turn myself in.”

Leon shook his head. “No, you wouldn’t. I know you Ren. That’s not in your nature.”

I shrugged. “Okay. I would turn myself in if I thought that this would avert war with Hyperborea. I couldn’t bear to have Fiona on the front lines. I couldn’t bear the risk that war would reach Myrddhin City and Amy might be taken captive. You’re right. I wouldn’t do it for the kingdom. But I would do it for the people. I am loyal to people. And I don’t see any people I love being helped by this. Please. I have stood by you. I stood with you during the Octavian Affair.”

Leon hung his head. “You did. You risked your life for Lynn, and I will be forever grateful to you.”

Lynn stepped forward. “Please. For me.”

Leon did not turn around. “Lynn. If you see Ren or any of the others, tell them that they are to turn themselves in. I am glad that they didn’t come to you. I will continue to help the search look elsewhere.”

I sighed in relief. Leon unlocked the door and disappeared.

I was about to start talking when I heard Duke Xander’s voice through the door.

“Your grace. I have news. The court is about to announce the escape of your seer. I expect that this is a prelude to war. Time runs short.”