Chapter 135: Getting Answers (Part Two)
"You have something to share, commander?" Nyrielle’s words might be phrased as a polite inquiry but her tone left no doubt how little she would appreciate it if the man’s words held no value. Still, Jannik hadn’t become the commander of the warriors in the High Pass by backing down from powerful foes and he wasn’t about to cower before an ally.
"I do have something to share, and I think my fellow councilors will find it worth listening to," the dark-furred Frost Walker said. Turning to his soldiers by the door, he gave his next commands. "I am responsible for the men who patrol all of our territory within a day of the fortress and I have sent questions to everyone who was on duty today," he explained.
"Bring me a map so I can show everyone where our people are expected to be," he told one of the servants. "From what our hunters and trackers have learned, the Tuscans approached from the north side of the lake and snuck onto the island to draw close to little lord Hauke’s fishing party."
"Two people were responsible for guarding along that approach," Jannik explained. "The first is a capable and reliable veteran named Malte, and the second is a young and powerful warrior known to many for his strength - Torsten. Have both of them brought here immediately."
As soon as Hannik said ’Torsten’ it was like an icicle had fallen from the roof to shatter against the floor. Whispers started immediately and several more suspicious glances fell on Paulus. After all, while many knew Torsten just the way Jannik had described him, as a strong and capable warrior, no one in this room forgot the rest of his identity.
Torsten was Hauke’s most direct opponent in becoming the next lord of the High Pass. That alone gave him a motive to conspire against his rival. More importantly, however, he was also Paulus’s grandson.
More eyes fell on Ashlynn as they considered what Jannik had said. Hadn’t Seneschal Ashlynn said that Paulus worked through others? If his grandson was in on this plot...
No one wanted to say it, but around the hall, everyone’s fur rose slightly and ice crystals began to spread across the floor as people struggled to contain their emotions. There were some in this hall who had still felt that Torsten could be an adequate next Lord of the High Pass. Not brilliant, perhaps, but stronger and more mature than young Hauke.
Now, all of them considered what it would be like if they’d put a man on the throne who would conspire with Tuscans, just to eliminate their rivals. The notion was the same as asking a heron to guard a fishing pond. It might scare off some predators but you would still lose half the fish you needed to survive.