Free Sheepfarmers Daughter by Elizabeth Moon Page B

talked to the quartermaster, and gave him your letter, sir, and we went into the storerooms and started marking what we were to take back. Suddenly I realized that it was getting late, and I hadn't told anyone you were coming yet, so I left the quartermaster and went through the Duke's Gate to speak to the steward."
    "Had you had anything to eat or drink, Stephi?"
    "No, sir, nothing but water. We got here after lunch. But when I'd spoken to the Duke's steward, he asked if I'd like some ale. Tell you the truth, sir, that's one reason I didn't stop in the village. When I came up here six months ago with a message, the steward gave me some ale while I waited for the reply, and - and I was hoping, sir, he might again. Not that I'd have asked, of course, it being the Duke's own ale. But, sir, you know how tasty it is."
    "Indeed I do. So you drank ale, then? How much?"
    "Well, the steward brought out a ewer and a tankard, and the ewer was full. I poured out a tankard of it, and he left to go back inside and give orders to the servants. It was as good as I remembered, or better. I finished that tankard, sir, and thought of pouring out another. But I thought how strong the ale was, and I didn't want to be drunk-but he'd said to drink hearty, and it was already out of the cask-he wouldn't pour it back in -" Stephi's tanned face was flushed with embarrassment. "So I -well-sir, I poured it into the flask I was carrying, after pouring the rest of my water out. There was maybe a swallow left in the ewer, and I drank that. Then the steward came back, and asked how I liked the ale, and I said fine, and he asked if I wanted more, or something to eat, and I said no, I'd eat with the men at mess, and thanked him."
    "Where is that flask now, Stephi?" asked Kolya.
    "With my things, I suppose; I took it back to the barn and put it in my saddlebags."
    "Go on, then."
    "After that, after I put the flask up, it was nearly time for supper. I saw you ride in, sir, and go on through the Duke's Gate, and then I collected the men and we went to eat."
    "What did you eat?"
    "The usual, sir. Bread, cheese, stew. The men ate the same. I remember feeling a little - annoyed - at the noise. It seemed louder, all that banging and clattering. I wondered if I shouldn't have had that last swallow of ale, but nobody else seemed to notice anything about me, and I was steady on my feet. But then, sir -it's as if I was-was thinking about something else. You know how you can do something routine, but you aren't thinking about it, and a little later you can't remember if you've done it? I know I left the mess hall, but it's hazy after that. I think I walked out into the court, but I'm not sure even of that. Then-nothing, until I woke in the infirmary." Stephi looked around at the puzzled faces.
    "How long would you say it lasted?" asked Kolya of the captain.
    "The violent phase - only a quarterglass or a little longer; the loss of memory seems to be about six hours."
    "It's consistent with a potion or spell," said the mayor.
    "A potion, I'd say. We don't have a mage in range for this," said the captain.
    "I think we need to check the Duke's ale. If someone has tampered with it —" The mayor's long face scowled at them.
    "I'll get the steward." Sejek disappeared into the arched doorway of the Duke's Hall. It was some little time before he came out; he had a large flask of tawny liquid, and the steward carried a ewer and tankard on a tray. Venneristimon looked concerned, and was talking as he came.
    "I'm quite sure, Captain Sejek," he was saying, "that nothing is wrong with the Duke's ale. It's true that this cask has been tapped some time, but I fail to see how anything could have adulterated it. Perhaps I simply should not have given the poor fellow quite so much. I mean, he
seemed
responsible."
    "We'll have to check it, Venner, and make sure. The Duke has enemies enough who might wish to poison his stores." The captain put the flask he was carrying down in front of the