David Gemmell – Rigante 3 – Ravenheart

She was a good wife, he thought. The best.

Kaelin Ring was numb with shock and grief. The moment Chain Shada had spoken of a dead girl he had known, with terrible certainty, her identity. Even so he had allowed himself to hope that it was not Chara Ward. That hope had been short-lived.

Aunt Maev had urged him to return home with her and Jaim and Banny, but he had refused. Taybard Jaekel was sitting on the ground close by, his head in his hands. Kaelin approached him and squatted down. ‘It’s not your fault,’ he said.

Taybard’s shoulders sagged, and when he looked up Kaelin saw his eyes were wet with tears. ‘It is my fault. She walked through with me. I let Bindoe lead her away. I loved her, Kaelin. And I let her down.’

‘We both let her down, Tay,’ said Kaelin softly. ‘How did she die?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘I can’t believe this. It’s like the worst of dreams.’ Taybard pushed himself to his feet. ‘I can’t stay here. I need to be alone. Look at me. I’m weeping like a child.’ He walked off towards Old Hills, and Kaelin was left alone to deal with his own roiling, guilt-filled thoughts. He should have found her. He should have waited by the entrance after Bindoe forced her to pass through into the Varlish enclosure.

Bindoe.

The man’s hatchet face appeared in his mind. Twice now Bindoe had been cleared of attacks on women. And Taybard Jaekel had seen him walking away with Chara Ward. Anger touched the young Rigante, deep and burning, tearing at his heart with talons of fire.

He was leaning on the separation fence, watching the woods, when he saw the white-haired officer, Mulgrave, walking down the slope. The apothecary Ramus was with him. Behind them came a stretcher party. Kaelin watched as the stretcher came into view. A blanket had been hastily thrown over the body, but a section of Chara’s heavy skirt was hanging free. Kaelin felt a terrible tightness in his stomach, but the shock was still heavy upon him, and he had not yet had time to register his grief. He called out: ‘Captain Mulgrave! Captain Mulgrave!’ The officer turned, saw him, and walked across to where he stood.

‘What can I do for you, young man?’

‘We met at Old Hills. Your master saved me from a beating.’

‘Ah yes, I remember. Kaelin, isn’t it?’

‘Yes. Chara is … was . . . my friend. How did she die?’

‘Did you see her today?’

‘Yes. We came to the feast together, but she was not allowed to walk through to the clan area. She had to register first as a Varlish. She was to meet us later.’

‘I am sorry, Kaelin. She was murdered. We are looking for her assailants.’

‘You think to find them?’

‘One of them at least was badly scratched – probably on the face. I think we will locate him. He will then tell us the names of his associates.’

Kaelin pondered this for a moment. ‘Do you know Sergeant Bindoe?’ he asked.

‘I have heard the name,’ answered Mulgrave, his voice suddenly non-committal.

‘He was seen taking Chara away from the crowd.’

‘I see. Where did you come by this information?’

‘A Varlish named Taybard Jaekel told me. He was one of the boys I was fighting when you helped me. He was in love with Chara.’

‘I will look into what you say.’

‘Aye, but will there be justice?’ said Kaelin, the words tumbling out before he could stop them.

‘Why should there not be?’ countered Mulgrave.

‘She was “kilted Varlish”. Her family are poor, and she was seen walking with a highlander. Justice doesn’t visit such people. Bindoe has twice raped highland women. Both times he has been declared innocent. I have no great expectation that this time will be any different.’

‘I’ll not be drawn into talking of a man’s guilt before I have spoken to him, but let me tell you this, highlander: when I find the people responsible they will hang. You have my word on it.’

Kaelin thanked him and walked away. Mulgrave seemed a good man, but twice now Bindoe had escaped the noose. Who was to say it would not happen a third time?

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