Free The God Tattoo: Untold Tales from the Twilight Reign by Tom Lloyd Page B

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door was repaired before the master left his bed and the frame of the mirror removed to the attic where it remains now”.’
    At that break in the proceeding my wife entered to greet her son-in-law. The interlude during this murky affair gave me the chance to reflect upon what I had heard thus far. I
am not a man who can leap to the correct conclusion in a fit of inspiration. Years of practice mean a slow repetition of the facts in my mind might lead me to the same destination as my more
illustrious friends, but it is a far longer process. Unfortunately I found myself only able to note that any clue to the marshal’s illness died with his wife, but it was too early to pursue
that grim path.
    Having made her pleasantries my wife discreetly excused herself, once she had secured the promise of a family meal that night. With the nervous smile of a man who worked irregular hours at the
best of times, Brandt watched her retreat and continued.
    ‘I, ah . . . Ah yes. When pressed, the manservant did give us two further pieces of information, though only with great reluctance.’
    ‘For what reason?’
    ‘None selfish,’ replied Brandt after a moment’s consideration.
    ‘Firstly, he is extremely loyal and they do cast a strange light upon the household. Secondly, he showed little regard for either source and only mentioned them out of diligence and my
insistence. The first was the account of a chambermaid – who didn’t strike me as quite the fool Veser believes – of an incident that by itself one would dismiss. The other I have
only Veser’s retelling as my source, for he heard it from a visiting cousin of the marshal, one Darayen Crin, who has since returned to his holdings in the north.’
    ‘Well, enlighten me all the same,’ I said eagerly. I must confess that when the enigma is not my responsibility, I enjoy a mystery immensely. Reclining there, with this story
unfolding before me, was an excellent way of passing a morning allocated by my wife to financial affairs.
    ‘Very well. The cousin had visited Marshal and Lady Calath a few weeks after that original fit, for want of a better word. He is related to the marshal through his mother, younger sister
of the previous marshal. There was a difference in age between them, but according to the manservant this only resulted in an air of levity surrounding all three.’
    ‘The lady enjoyed this cousin’s company? We sure he’s not returned to the city in secret? She was several winters younger than her husband if I recall.’
    My suspicions had now been raised, but before I could get over-excited Brandt dismissed the notion.
    ‘The manservant assures me the lady treated this cousin as a foolish younger brother. While Veser is a man to protect his master’s honour, if his feelings about Lady Calath were
feigned he’s a better actor than any agent of the king’s. I have confirmed that the cousin is well married, with an heir born two summers past.’
    ‘You still possess an overly naive view of the human nature, my boy.’
    Brandt’s grin told me what he thought of that suggestion. ‘Perhaps, old man, but the cousin’s a merchant by trade and led his wagon train back to Inchets. Any absence would be
hard to hide and Count Antern has sent someone to check up.’
    My son-in-law cleared his throat pointedly. ‘Anyhow, if you can control your suspicions for five minutes, I’ll tell you what the cousin reportedly said.’
    I gestured for him to continue, which Brandt did with a ceremonious shuffling of papers as though daring me to interrupt and jump to another conclusion again.
    ‘When Master Crin first arrived at the house, the marshal had spent the morning abed. He explained it as nothing grave; merely a headache that he wanted to clear, so as to enjoy the
company of his guest. Crin had arrived early and since they were close he visited the marshal immediately. They spoke greetings for a minute and then Veser arrived to attend his