Free Blood of the Earth by David A. Wells

leader.”
    “If it’s such a good idea, then why do I feel so bad about it?”
    “Because you love your sister,” Duncan said. “She’ll come around. Just give her time.”
    “Your father’s right,” Anatoly said. “She’ll see the necessity of your decision and stand by you just like she always has.”
    “I hope you’re right,” Alexander said. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. As much as his mind wanted to dwell on the pain he’d just caused his sister, he had other matters to attend to. He pushed his emotional distress aside and dredged up a mental list of the other problems he faced.
    “Lucky, do you have those books we found in Grafton?”
    “Of course,” Lucky said as he started rummaging around in his bag. Even in the Keep, he carried the magical bag Kelvin had given him. By now it was probably overflowing with all manner of odds and ends.
    He produced the books one at a time, stacking them on the table before him.
    “Kelvin, I’d like you to assign someone to study these and identify the subject matter of each. I’m hoping one or more of these volumes will contain information about my calling that might be helpful.”
    “I have just the man for the job,” Kelvin said, taking the first book and carefully leafing through it.
    “Good, that just leaves a murderer loose in the Keep,” Alexander said. “I’m going to find Erik and see where the investigations stands.”
    “I’ll come with you,” Anatoly said.
    “Me too,” Jack said.
    Boaberous fell in behind them as they left.
    At first Alexander was a bit disoriented. He’d been carried to his quarters when he was unconscious and had no idea where he was in relation to the rest of the Keep. Then he remembered the Keep Master’s ring—when he was within the Keep, it was almost like the fortress was an extension of his own body. He could see the layout of the entire massive structure in intimate detail in his mind’s eye and command any of the Keep’s defenses with a thought.
    Erik was in the offices he’d set up to administer the workings of the Keep. Alexander grinned as he appraised the room. It was big enough to be a conference room. The large table set in the middle was littered with papers, reports, and maps. The walls were covered with rosters, work schedules, and supply requirements. A modest desk was set in one corner so that it faced into the room. Erik sat behind it studying a report. Two of his subordinate officers were standing across the room looking at a duty roster posted on the wall.
    Erik looked up and smiled. “Alexander, it’s good to see you up and about,” he said as he stood.
    “Thanks, Erik,” Alexander said, extending his hand to his brother-in-law. “I wish I could say I just stopped by to say hi.”
    Erik nodded with a frown. “You’ve heard about the murder.”
    “I’m told a young woman was killed pretty gruesomely.”
    Erik signed. “I saw the body, Alexander. She was beaten to death. It looked like her killer toyed with her for a while before finishing it.”
    “I hate to ask this, Erik, but I have to,” Alexander said. “Is there any chance one of our soldiers did this?”
    “I haven’t ruled it out, but I doubt it. We’re interviewing the victim’s friends and family, but so far we don’t have much to go on. I’ve asked Kelvin to help and he offered the services of Wizard Ely. He’s busy preparing a divination spell to see if he can identify the murderer.”
    “Hmm,” Alexander said, “I may be able to help with that.”
    “Anything you can do would be welcome,” Erik said. “I have Constable Ward investigating the matter. He’s meticulous and thorough, but he didn’t find any leads at the crime scene and his interviews have turned up nothing so far.”
    “What do you have in mind?” Jack asked.
    “I may be able to use my clairvoyance to find the killer,” Alexander said. “I can usually find the person I’m looking for if I know who they are. I might as well