We've Nearly Got You

Writers: Chelle, Miriah, Paula
Date Posted: 14th February 2013

Characters: Corowal, Sarban, Zandan, Rivarn
Description: Leadership at EFH close in on Jenackt
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 12, day 18 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentioned: Jenackt

Rivarn rapped loudly on Zandan's office door, his face tight with the
news he had discovered. Only a little digging through the Hold, and he'd found hints of
connections with the boy they all searched for. Zandan, Sarban and Corowal had to be informed.

"Yeah?" Zandan grunted, glaring the piles of hides on his desk.
Nothing new there and he was welcoming the interuption, any
interuption.

Coming in, Rivarn laid his report before Zandan, his grey eyes
triumphant. "I found something that you might find a little interesting. Our holdless boy,
well his father had a cousin and drinking buddy who still lives in Emerald Falls. A Mernsom.
One of our dockworkers. I thought he might be the link we're looking for."

"Excellent," Zandan grinned and leaned backwards in his chair. "Why
don't we bring him in for questions?"

Rivarn nodded briskly. "I thought you might suggest it." He paused, then
stroked his grizzled chin. "Do you think Sarban and Corowal might
like to be present?"

"I bet my month's wage they do," Zandan replied and got up to his
feet. "Let's go."

~*~
Sitting in their little conference room, Sarban had a cup of klah,
hides, and a quill if he needed it. He was quite excited since he felt like perhaps today they had gotten
the better of that little sneak. **Good on Rivarn-might need to send a little bonus rations his way**
Tapping his fingers, he noted they had a scribe there to record everything. Keep it all proper.

Pushing open the door, Rivarn dragged Mernsom behind him, his grip firm
but far more gentler than Zandan might have been. His face was set as
he glanced up at Sarban and inclined his head in greeting. "Sarban,
meet..." He pushed the dockworker forward. "Mernsom."

"And?" Corowal asked, giving the man a careful study. He noted the
scruffy look as well as

bloodshot eyes and the yellow tint in his eyes and skin. The smell was
rather rancid too, and he wrinkled his nose.

Nodding, Sarban knew that this was mostly Zandan's meeting. He'd let
the captain have the pleasure of questioning the fellow first. There were a few things he wanted to
know, but he could wait. Chances were they would be answered anyway.

"He is the cousin of the late holdless Jernsom, who is father of your
darling little bandit rogue, Jenackt. Rivarn asked around and found
out about him and picked him up from the dock-tavern," Zandan
explained. "I also interviewed his wife while Rivarn was drying him
off. We got reason to believe he's been helping holdless people and is
currently hiding a fugitive."

"Dry him?" Corowal asked.

"He might have fallen into river when whe caught him," Zandan said
with straight poker face.

"Indeed, the poor man kept tripping." Rivarn none too gently pushed Mernsom into
a chair across from Corowal and Sarban. "He says that he doesn't know
anything about it,don't you?"

"Man, think very long before you answer," Sarban warned. The steward
was out of patience. "You're an Emerald Falls resident. As such, you
swear to your Lord Holder.If we find you broke your oath, it'll be you and your family living
elsewhere. We also don't tolerate liars."

"I didna do anything wrong!" Mernsom protested, looking guilty.

"His wife told me, that some time after Jernsom became holdless,
things disappeared from their house. Dishes, tools, her favourite
frying pan, blanketts and even medics," Zandan told them. The frying
pan had still enraged the woman, for she hadn't affored to replace it.
She had given Zandan an ear full of grievancies. The Captain's
sympathy was on her side. He knew how it felt when your father drank
all the marks and you had to do with old discards or live on someone
else's mercy.

Rivarn kept his hand on Mernsom's shoulder, his eyes intent.
"I knew Jenasom, Mernsom. A good guard, wasn't he? And
a good drinking buddy." His voice quieted. "As a matter of
fact, don't I remember you being in the tavern with him that
night he killed that boy?"

Sarban was quiet but he was sure this was getting interesting for sure.
Rivarn was definitely getting extra rations. He poked Corowal under the
table.

Corowal gave a subtle nodd in response. Rivarn was up to a reward, maybe even promotion.

"Got to look after family," Mernsom mumbled, not meeting anybody's eyes. He was obviously not talking.

"Maybe few days in cell with bread and water will make him more co-operative," Zandan suggested. He knew drunkards, after the withdrawal hits, Mernsom would be ready to kill for a drink.

Mernsom gasped with horror, "No!"

"Come now, it's not that bad. It's dry and warm and there's hardly any tunnelsnakes and Nikhan bakes very good bread," Corowal said.

Rivarn looked at Zandan and murmured softly. "I think it's the best we can do right now. Besides, as much as he still reeks
of wine, I don't know if I'd trust anything he'd say to be true or just drunken ramblings to placate us." His face was
stern as he looked over at Corowal and Sarban. "He'll talk. Eventually."

"We've got time-plenty of time. Tell the dockmaster that he's not going to be able to get his duties done until further notice.
Let him dry out and maybe then he'll be a little more dutiful." Nodding to Zandan, he scratched his nose against the stink of the
drunkard. Men and their swill.

"All right," Zandan said, "Off to a cozy little brig we go," he hauled the man to his feet and pushed him towards the door. His tone was cheerful.

"Let me know when he opens up," Corowal asked.

"Yes, sir," Zandan replied with malicious grin.

Last updated on the March 27th 2013

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We've Nearly Got You