‘The colonel, as you can see, is not a well man,’ said Ranaud. ‘I am pleased that you came, Master Ring. Perhaps we can talk more.’ He led Kaelin to another room on the third level. It was far smaller than the colonel’s office, and the floor was not carpeted. The furniture too was of simple design, crafted from highland pine. Once again Kaelin sat down. Ranaud perched on the edge of the desk. He was a big man, his black hair close cropped to his skull, his brown eyes deep set and mournful. He had an easy smile, but there was a tightness to the man that had Kaelin on edge. Though there was no evidence to support it Kaelin believed him to be ruthless and very dangerous.
‘Describe to me the route you took into the Rigante heartland,’ said Captain Ranaud.
‘There was a high pass, with stockaded gates. After that we came to a valley.’
‘The gates were guarded?’
‘Yes.’
‘By how many men?’
‘It was difficult to see, for it was raining heavily. Only one man came down to open the gates. I would think there were more that I could not see.’
‘Did you see any weapons hidden?’
‘Weapons?’
‘Cannon?’
‘No, sir. Do they have cannon?’
‘What weapons did the guards carry?’
‘The man who opened the first gate had a sword, and a pistol in his belt. The next gate was opened by a cloaked clansman and I did not see his weapons.’
‘Did you observe many men carrying muskets in the town itself?’
‘No, sir.’
‘You stayed overnight in the great house?’
‘I did.’
‘Were there weapons there?’
Kaelin recalled the dining hall. All around the walls were pikes, longbows, axes, swords and shields. There were also racks of muskets. ‘Call Jace has many weapons on his walls – knives, swords and such like. Many of them are very old.’
‘What makes you say that?’
‘There were long pikes and what I think were called glaves. My teacher, Mr Shaddler, told me they were weapons carried hundreds of years ago, when men wore armour.’
‘How many people were at the feast?’
‘Perhaps a hundred.’
‘All men of fighting age?’
‘Yes,’ said Kaelin.
‘How many people live in the main settlement, would you think?’
‘I wouldn’t know, sir. Several hundred. A thousand. I didn’t get much of a chance to see the settlement. I arrived at night in the rain. I fought Bael in the morning, and then left in the storm that evening.’
‘It would be most helpful, Master Ring, if you could visit their lands again, and this time take greater note of your surroundings. It is important that we gather intelligence on their community and its strengths.’
‘I don’t know that I would be welcome, sir, but if I am asked I will certainly take note.’
‘Good. Your loyalty will not go unrewarded, Master Ring. We look after our friends. I am glad you came here. I was planning to visit Ironlatch and meet you. So tell me, what caused the trouble between you and Bael?’
Kaelin guessed the man knew, but even so this was perilous ground. ‘He and his father came to the farm. I did not like Call Jace’s manner, and I struck him. Bael hit me with his pistol and we struggled. I managed to pull a pistol from his belt and I shot him with it.’
‘Not your own pistol then?’
‘Highlanders do not own pistols,’ said Kaelin, ‘though I think that law is not observed as rigidly in the north as it is in the south.’
‘Indeed so, Master Ring. Let me show you out.’
Together they walked down the stairs, past the clerk and out into the sunshine. As they emerged Kaelin saw Arus Grassman striding towards the keep. The man looked shocked to see Kaelin standing with Ranaud. He stood confused and uncertain.
‘Arus, my friend,’ said Ranaud, ‘what brings you to the barracks?’
‘I was . . . just passing,’ said Grassman.
‘Have you met Master Ring?’
‘Er . . . yes, we met this morning.’
‘Make sure you give him your best prices,’ said Ranaud. Swinging to Kaelin he extended his hand once more. ‘I shall make a point of visiting Ironlatch soon.’