No, I would steer clear of that road. Instead, I would have to keep it simple. I’d tell him what I’d surmised without going into detail about how.
“What I know,” I started slowly. “At least, what I suspect, is that a witch is behind these murders. And again, just so we’re clear, I am not a witch.”
His expression gave nothing away. He didn’t so much as flinch at my words. Instead, he stood cross-armed, waiting for me to say more. I planned to disregard his unspoken request until he told me something first. “What doyouknow?”
He considered me for a moment, no doubt weighing up whether I was to be trusted. “I don’t know much. Lord Helvig’s keys to the dungeon went missing sometime before Hugo was attacked. He was struck on the back of a head by something heavy, most likely the hilt of a sword. He was adamant Lord Hywell’s murderer was a witch. I keep thinking that’s why he was attacked. Someone didn’t want him getting close to the truth.”
“Why did he think the murderer was a witch?” I thought of Tarben, who was quick to dismiss that theory as nonsense.
He hesitated briefly, then said, “His Highness has an interest in all things to do with magic. You could say it’s a hobbyof his. The murder piqued his interest because of the carving. He thought it was to mark Hywell’s body in preparation for a dark potion or ritual. Something that required bones. What he couldn’t work out was if Hywell was specifically targeted or he was just unlucky.” He regarded me. “And because—”
“Because the murder occurred so soon after I arrived, he assumed the witch was me,” I finished.
He shrugged unapologetically.
I took a sip of my wine.How much to reveal?I could tell Filip what I learned about Basia and possibly convince him to help me find the cottage—he would undoubtedly know the forest much better than I did. But that would mean teaming up with him, and I preferred to work alone. And I wouldn’t be able to use my magic in front of him. I couldn’t have that, not when there was the possibility that Basia was the murderer. Besides, I couldn’t risk my plans getting back to Captain Hansen. My decision was made: I would keep what I learned to myself.
“What aren’t you saying?” His eyes narrowed.
At that moment, two nobles stumbled past us, half-filled tankards of ale in their hands. One of them came close to colliding with me, but Filip pulled me out of the way just in time.
“Oh, sorry love. Didn’t see you there,” the noble slurred; clearly, he had been celebrating Lord Hywell’s life with enthusiasm.
His friend guffawed.
Divine goddess, I needed to leave before I encountered more like them. And worse.
I waited until they were safely out of earshot before continuing. “I don’t know any more than you do.”
He eyed me suspiciously. “Why do I get the distinct impression you are lying?”
I polished off the remaining wine in my goblet and set it down on the tray of a passing servant. “It sounds as if you’reparanoid. And, just so you know, it’s not polite to accuse a lady of being a liar and a witch. Especially not in the same conversation.” I turned to leave.
Without waiting for his response, I made for the doors. Now seemed as good a time as any to slip away.
On my way out, I passed Magnus, holding court with an enraptured group of young ladies, drink in his non-bandaged hand. “Off to find your next victim?” he called after me, earning a chorus of laughter.
I spun on my heel. Slowly, I made my way back to where he stood, grinning at me. “I suggest you hold your tongue, unless you’d like to lose it,” I said, my voice low and dangerous.
Something in my face wiped the smile off of his. “Relax sweetheart, it was only a joke. Why not stay and have a drink with me?” He raised his tankard of ale.
“I’d honestly rather have my eyes clawed out by a harpy, but thanks for the offer,” I said, turning to leave.
“Your loss.”
Ignoring him, I continued towards the exit. What in Seru’s skies was wrong with the men tonight? Was there something in the air causing them to behave like insufferable asses?
And what was Livia and Oriane’s conversation about? Livia had said something would take a week. Maybe I could get some information out of her—I really should follow up with her about tea.
But, before that, there was something else I needed to do. Something far more important. My talk with Filip had only reaffirmed it for me.
It was time I went on a witch hunt.
Chapter 30
Two days later, I hugged myself tightly and shivered, but it was not purely a response to the frigid air that cloaked me. Today was the day I was going to track down a witch, and I’d be lying if I said my stomach wasn’t a turbulent pit of nerves.
It was soon to be sunrise. I stood on the edge of the forest, not far from the castle, where the hunt was to take place. Ingrid had told me that, once a year, nobles came from across the kingdom to hunt and kill wild boar. Each huntsman competed to land the biggest kill of the day and win a trophy as well as the king’s favor. The day would conclude with a celebratory banquet in the great hall, where all would be invited to feast on the spoils of the hunt.
