Lidia reported to the barracks, then found the warden, who gave her an empty bed and directions to where Sir William was to meet her.
She found her spot on the left side of an empty room, in a row of three beds, each with a footlocker at the end.
She stashed her pack and most of her gear away, returned outdoors, and found the place.
The barracks warden had pointed her towards the western wall of the donjon, a fifty-foot wall of dark grey stone covered in markings. Upon closer inspection, Lidia found that the markings were names — hundreds and hundreds, and all inscribed no higher than six feet from the ground.
In front of the wall was a line of tributes: bunches of flowers, worn holy symbols, faded cloths, ribbon scraps, small flasks, and tiny cones of sweetly smoky incense.
All these, she realized, were offerings for the dead.
She walked several paces along the wall, carefully scanning the names until she found the one she sought, memorialized along with the names of his company:
SIR AJANTIS ILVASTARR
Her hand traced the letters, and she smiled sadly to herself.
But as she contemplated the wall and the five names in front of her, a voice called her back to the present:
"You have a large space to fill, indeed. Will you be up to the task?"
The voice was not Sir William's. Lidia turned from the wall towards Sir Anarg, armored in an elaborate set of field plate, his creased, angular face watching her like a hawk.
Lidia said, "If the cause is just, then I will test myself against whatever deed I'm asked to do. But I was told to meet Sir William here. Is something delaying him?"
"Yes, at the moment, he is preoccupied with a matter of the city's safety, and he asked me to meet you in his stead."
"It's an honor, Knight-Commander." She gave a salute, crossing her arm over her chest.
"Likewise, though 'Sir Anarg' will suffice," he replied, returning it.
He continued: "You should know about the particulars of your service here. What we have in mind for your role in the Radiant Heart might seem humble, but believe me, it requires someone capable of challenge and sacrifice."
"What did you have in mind, then?" Lidia asked.
"The City Guard has had difficulty keeping order in the slums. We would send you their way from time to time, especially when they need extra assistance."
She cleared her throat and straightened up. "Sir Anarg, I am willing to serve the Order as long as the cause is just. When I last encountered the City Guard, the first thing they asked me for was a bribe."
To her surprise, Sir Anarg gave the barest hint of a smile. "You understand their need, then."
He continued, "The Order prides itself on its freedom from corruption — we are one of only a handful of organizations in Athkatla with a severe penalty on accepting bribes. You and Sir William will be working together with Lieutenant Aegisfield. You will find few law officers more stalwart than he, and he knows you will report to the Order. We would send you on some routine patrols at first, but the hope is that you will be able to handle duties that require a certain amount of integrity, where he needs someone who will not be swayed by offers of coin, no matter what. Do you understand?"
"I do," Lidia said.
"As for the task ahead of you," Sir Anarg said, "I understand that it will be difficult, but I counsel you to avoid killing Baron Metrich, if possible."
"If he means to fight to the death," Lidia said, "I may have little choice. I assume it would go better for everyone involved if we can resolve this peacefully."
"Of course, you shall do as you must for Amn and Imnesvale," Sir Anarg said quickly. "I only ask you to consider the consequences to yourself and the Order. We have a dearth of patrons as it is, and if the Baron's life is spared, perhaps he would find some gratitude towards us."
"I doubt it. He can't even pay his retainer — I'd be surprised if he's caught up on his taxes," Lidia said.
"Is that so?" Sir Anarg said, curious now.
"I have reason to believe it, yes," she replied. "I've been talking with his people."
"Truly?" he asked. "I was under the impression that you had spent most of your time with the villagers."
Lidia wondered where he'd heard that, but said nothing about it. She said, "He's caused a lot of trouble for the people of Imnesvale, trying to drive these people out both legally and by force. And he could have gained a great advantage in court. What could dissuade him if everything we've tried so far has failed?"
"You assume that he is in the wrong when the villagers harmed his people," Sir Anarg said. "Why would you choose to stand for them?"
Lidia thought for a long moment as she walked, glancing near the sun as it started to near the top of the fortress wall.
"This whole incident has not shown the best of human nature," she said. "Morally, each side wronged the other. But the Baron's thoughtlessness put the rest of the village at risk first. He has the right to tax them, but not to endanger their livelihoods or take their land."
She added, "From what I understand, we are meant to support the right, not merely the wealthy."
Sir Anarg gave a quick nod of approval. "May the gods go with you, then, whatever hand you choose to play on the field."