To Serve the Light (Part 8)

“Well?”

Bernhardt sighed wearily and rubbed at his eyes once again. Dawn had come and was hours past now, and yet the old paladin had not yet found time to rest. No time, not now. Time enough to rest later, laid out upon cold stone slab. Time for work, now.

“Recruit Cordell is recovering in the infirmary,” Bernhardt replied quietly, rubbing his tired eyes with one hand. “He’s asleep. Probably for the best.”

“And the dwarf?”

“Recruit Stelhamor is also in the infirmary, getting her injuries checked. She was clouted on the back of the head. The healer was worried about a cracked skull, or bleeding.”

“Not the gaol?”

“I judged Stelhamor’s injuries serious enough to have her moved. I did interrogate her once Cordell was settled. Had the men round up a few of Lars’ crowd to cross-check her account. At first their stories were all varied, but under interrogation we soon got to the truth. We’re holding them in the gaol.”

Silence.

“So you believe her story? By your own reports, she’s been a problem recruit.”

“Yes. I know my recruits, and despite her discipline problems, Stelhamor is one of my best. She wouldn’t do this.”

“Are you sure about that, Sir Bernhardt?”

The old paladin nodded. “Yes sir. I’m sure.”

The mayor sighed. “We’ve still lost a recruit, possibly three. And Lars was one of our best swords.”

Bernhardt snorted. “A good sword, yes, but his heart was dark. As for Cordell, it’s still too early to know.”

“And the dwarf?”

A harsh, grim smile. “Just leave Recruit Stelhamor to me, sir. Just leave her to me.”