“It beats freezing to death,” he says shrugging, showing off his bare arms. They say Highlanders are nearly immune to the cold. It’s not something that I understand. Even inside, I’m wearing an ankle length coat, and I’m still chilly. At least he finally put a shirt on even if it is sleeveless.
She snorts. “Are you really going to listen to him? By the gods, helookslike a killer.”
“If I had killed him, the stab wounds would not have been so shallow,” the Highlander says, raising his chin high. “Nor would there be so many. He was murdered by someone physically weaker. Perhaps a woman. Or a cowardly man. Either way, whoever it was, they were unskilled with a blade.”
There is a murmur in the room as everyone glances among themselves. More than half the room is comprised of women, but I don’t think any of them would do it, especially since half the women here are related to me.
I look over the men here, noting their form. It’s true that the Highlander is likely the strongest here. There’s my father and Lev, but I don’t think either of them are capable of it. Especially since my father was in this room the whole time. Not to mention the nervous looking man dressed like a priest, he will probably have to go high on my list of suspects just because I don’t know anything about him.
Ibram could also have done it. He was drunk when he went to bed. Perhaps he got into an argument, and his natural strength was impaired by the drink.
“Or perhaps he was simply killed by someone who was asleep…”
I press my eyes shut to try to block out the grating noise of Likho’s voice.
“And how do you know so much about stab wounds?” the newcomer demands.
“Because I’m a w—” he cuts himself before quickly saying, “Wanderer. I’ve been all over Ruskhazar, I’ve seen many things.” He reaches up, stroking his beard as his eyes dart around nervously.
Well, he certainly has something to hide, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that he is the killer. Indeed, looking at this room it’s hard to imagine anyone here being killers.
“Save for you.”
I’m probably the only one here who consorts with demigods. Not to mention my poor habit of stealing. I’m a scoundrel, a rogue even.
Who is to say that I’m not the killer?
“That’s what I’ve been saying.”
The nervous priest steps forward. “Listen, it seems to me that half the room is at a disadvantage since you all appear to know each other, and we are the strangers. So, let’s all introduce ourselves and go from there. I understand that some of you are scared, but it will hardly do for you all to go pointing fingers blindly at each other. You’re more likely to accuse an innocent than the actual murderer that way.”
Father nods to him. “Thank you.”
Ibram looks like he is about to explode with rage over his demands of immediate and swift justice being ignored which causes me to nod along with him. “Yes, I agree. No one here is guilty until proven so. If we all play it safe and keep our heads, we will get through the night. And when we dig our way out in the morning then the guards can handle it.”
“I’m handling it!” Ibram thunders.
I reach out, patting his arm. “You’ve been through such an ordeal, my dear sir, that I’m sure you aren’t thinking straight. Don’t worry, we will take care of things for you.”
I quickly duck my head to hide my smile from Ibram who looks like he is considering punching me. I notice Talyria watching me and throw a quick wink in her direction. She raises her eyebrow in turn, but if she hasn’t realized how impetuous I can be by now then that’s not my problem.
I mean, I married a woman I just met.
“My name is Valentine,” the priest continues. He presses his hand against his chest. “I’m a healer.”
This gets the hooded newcomer’s attention. She steps forward, moving a bit too decisively and threateningly for my liking. It takes me a second to place where I’ve seen that type of movement. From hunters I’ve seen stalking their prey during my travels across Ruskhazar.
But then the Highlander speaks up. “I am Lief. Lief Jottason.” He presses his hand against his shoulder. “And though you may not think it, I am at your service.”
Father claps his hands. “This is excellent. I am Sasha. My son here is Victor, and my daughters…” he begins rattling off the names of everyone he knows. Which is almost everyone here.
The non-locals, glance around as if trying to determine who else is an outsider. I turn to the hooded newcomer. Last to join us and last to reveal her identity. I’m beginning to think Lief has a point in saying that we shouldn’t be so quick to declare her innocence.
She sighs when she realizes that we are all staring at her. She reaches up, pulling off her hood to reveal a Higher Elf woman. “I am—” she begins.
“Corallin?” Talyria demands, she staggers against me, and I have to keep a hold of her waist, so she doesn’t fall.
I turn to her, looking her over with concern. “Are you all right?”
