Beetlebacks rode through the highland settlements, questioning men as to their whereabouts on the day Bindoe was killed. The interrogation was often harsh, and if a man could not adequately answer the questions he was taken in chains to Eldacre Castle. One man died there, apparently of heart failure.
Jaim Grymauch recovered swiftly, though the bruises on his face lingered for some time. He had gone into Eldacre to retrieve his prize money, only to be told that, since the fight was fixed, no moneys would be forthcoming. On the surface Jaim shrugged off the loss, but Kaelin knew he was seething inside.
Maev Ring was subdued. She had seen her nephew come home just after dawn on the day after Chara’s murder. She was making her bed and watched him emerge from the old barn that now served as a workshop for Maev’s spinners. They had not yet arrived for work and Kaelin had no reason to be in the empty building. Maev had waited until the end of the day, when the twelve workers had gone back to their homes. Then she had searched the workshop’s upper loft. Here she found the two pistols and a cavalry sabre, hidden beneath an old rug. Returning the pistols to their original hiding place in the cabinet she had carried the sabre into the woods and buried it. In normal circumstances Maev liked to bring problems out into the open. Not this time. Least said, soonest mended, she decided.
When the ten beetlebacks came to the house the following day she greeted them courteously, offering them water for their horses, and some bread and cheese. Galliott led them, and the men behaved with cold civility in his presence. Kaelin, Jaim and Banny stood by while the soldiers moved through the house, searching for weapons. When they crossed to the old barn Maev glanced at Kaelin. If he was tense or frightened he did not show it. When the soldiers returned empty-handed Maev saw the surprise register briefly.
‘I am sorry to have inconvenienced you, Maev,’ said Galliott. ‘But we are obliged to search everywhere.’
‘Of course, captain.’
He approached Jaim. ‘I see your bruises are healing, Grymauch. I want you to know that no-one holds you to account for the vile behaviour of Gorain. You fought well and honestly.’
‘Aye, that’s true,’ said Grymauch. ‘He was a talented man, that Gorain.’
‘In what way?’
‘When I registered to fight I made my mark and I saw his. Just like mine, a large X. Though his did have a little flourish above it. Like Gorain I never did learn to read and write, captain. But one must surely admire a man who learns to do so in a single night, just so he can write a farewell note before he hangs himself.’
Galliott sighed. ‘You will talk yourself into a noose one of these days, Grymauch. I will be sad to see it.’
‘Aye, captain. Without rogues there’d be no need of beetlebacks, I guess.’
Galliott laughed. ‘Quite so. Well I must be leaving. We have another thirty homes to visit today.’
‘Have you found Chain Shada yet, sir?’ asked Maev.
‘No, Maev, but we will. He will be cold and hungry by now. The Moidart has sent for Huntsekker and his trackers. They will find him.’
‘I do not like the man,’ said Maev. ‘He is a killer. What has Chain Shada been convicted of that he should be hunted by the Harvester?’
‘It is not for me to question the orders of the Moidart, Maev,’ said Galliott. ‘I share your dislike of Huntsekker. It must be said, however, that he rarely fails to find those he tracks.’
‘And then he scythes off their heads,’ snapped Maev. ‘It is vile.’
‘Why should you be concerned for Shada?’
‘He helped Jaim. He could have destroyed him. That is what the mob were baying for. Tnat he did not does him credit.’
‘Helped me!’ muttered Grymauch. ‘The man cost me thirty-eight chaillings. Did you know they refused me the prize money?’
‘Aye, that was unfair,’ agreed Galliott, with a smile. ‘I’ll speak with the bishop. Maybe with a little money in your pocket you’ll be less likely to go roguing.’ He walked to his horse and mounted. The beetlebacks rode from the house and turned towards the south.