Lanka was buried not far from the Order's keep, underneath a tree in an unmarked grave, with only a few words spoken over her as she was laid in the earth.
Baron Metrich made a great show of mourning her. Having had her as his retainer for ten years, it was hard not to think that the tears he shed were genuine, at least to some degree. But it could not change the facts: with Sir Crolus and Sir Anarg's testimony corroborating, Lanka's death was the indirect murder of an illegally enslaved civilian.
The law would, hopefully, take it from there, no matter how much the baron pleaded ignorance or poverty. As for Imnesvale, Mazzy and Valygar had reported that, the rash of deaths notwithstanding, the village showed signs of going back to the way it was before their poor luck began. The village would manage more or less as they always had, but Mazzy and Valygar would still keep a watchful eye on the horizon for some time.
Not long after the duel had concluded, Sir William had finally made it to the keep and met with Lidia, handing down her assignment: she was to assist the Athkatla City Guard with keeping order in the River District.
She'd expressed some reservations at first, pointing out that her first encounter with the Athkatla City Guard involved them soliciting a bribe.
To that, Sir William had laughed, saying, "You understand their need, then," then explained that they often needed deputies who could not be swayed by gold.
In any case, she was to report to the garrison the day after next, and on the way back to Athkatla, she'd had time to think and plan.
She'd make as much use of today and tomorrow as possible, especially since she was starting to get a few ideas on how to find where the Cowled Wizards were keeping Imoen.
But first, she had to conclude some other business, and she hoped to compare notes with Jaheira if she could.
—
Gorion's Company arrived back in Athkatla in the early afternoon and, at least for the moment, dispersed at the Meirtyn Gate, leaving Yoshimo and Lidia to head to the Copper Coronet.
No matter where she went in the city, Lidia thought, she always seemed to end up at the Coronet. Still, since her assignment was in the River District for now, this might be for the best — the path there was becoming familiar.
So, as she went, she was well aware that she was being watched, though she said nothing about it to Yoshimo.
It was around when the Coronet was starting to come alive, though it was usually at its busiest at around sundown.
Lidia wound her way through the passing patrons to the bar, where Bernard tried to get by tapping one keg at a time until rush hour began.
The bartender handed several mismatching mugs of ale to Celyce, then took a barrel towards the back, soon returning with another large barrel that he handled easily. Still, he took a moment to set it down on the floor, in front of the large wooden rack behind the bar where the kegs usually were positioned and ready for service.
He wiped his bald forehead, finally addressing Lidia, who had been waiting patiently at the front: "Well, kid. Good to see you in one piece, especially after what I heard."
"Good to see you too, Bernard. I'm curious about what you've heard."
He wiped his hands with a rag. "There's some wild tales running loose around here. I heard you've up and murdered Baron Metrich in a duel, mano-a-mano. That true?"
"No, not at all," Lidia said. "The Baron was arrested after his servant died from a geas. And unless someone's not telling me something, I don't think any of the Council was there. So where did your story come from?"
"Eh, people talk," he shrugged. "Truth's more boring, even if you never hear of a noble just giving up like that without some serious coin handed off."
"Regardless, Baron Metrich is pleading guilty and likely to end up in the Carcere Gentri."
Bernard snorted. "The Carcer, right? You know what that is?"
"The nobles' prison."
"Ha, it's hardly a prison. The nobles get a fancy apartment with a couple guards, and they stay for a year, tops."
Somehow, Lidia wasn't surprised. She changed the subject, sitting up a bit. "Anyway, I hoped to find Jaheira. Have you seen her lately?"
Bernard picked up the new keg, set it in the space in the large rack, then thought for a moment.
"No, I haven't," he said, more slowly than before. "Remind me, what is the day?"
"The 26th of Mirtul," Lidia replied.
"Been three days, then — she left town the 23rd. Didn't say where she was going or when she'd be back. Probably not by tomorrow, in any case."
"Did she leave a message?" Lidia asked.
"No, she didn't. It was some real hush-hush business, if I read it right."
"I've never known her to just leave."
"It's none of my business, and likely not yours, either, begging your pardon," Bernard said coldly. "Maybe you got some weird command from your god to stick your nose in things, but I keep out o' politics, I don't get in peoples' affairs, and I don't cause trouble."
He didn't look at Lidia as he spoke, and she thought he sounded more resigned than angry.
But she only said: "All right, thanks. I'll let you get back to it."
She wandered back to where Yoshimo was waiting, sitting with a drink at a long wooden table halfway across the room.
He took a swig of beer from the cloudy mug, then said, "No luck, then?"
"I'm afraid not. Horrible timing, too." She sat down and pushed her chair forward, staring down at a knot in the tabletop for a moment.
"Something on your mind?" Yoshimo asked.
"Yes," she said, looking up. "I've got an errand tonight that can't wait."
She described her encounter with Valen from nearly a tenday ago, the morning she left for the Order's fortress.
Once she finished, Yoshimo said, "Do you plan on going alone?"
"Of course not," Lidia replied. "But it could be dangerous —"
"Say no more. I'm with you. What about the others? — Minsc and Aerie?"
"They're arranging Dynaheir's funeral. Ribald's contact should be at the Adventurer's Mart tonight."
"Anomen?"
"Reporting in at the temple of Helm."
"Any chance Mazzy and Valygar—"
"Returning to Imnesvale."
Yoshimo took another sip of the beer. "So, you and me and whoever we can find on short notice, is that it?"
"I'd prefer an army if I had a choice," Lidia said. "But if you know anyone that might help, I'm listening."
