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Fia disagreed though Corwin had not directed the question to her. “That will only make the situation worse.”
“She is right,” Varrick said. “The people will think Fia has me spellbound if I order Brother Luke locked away, causing more worry and speculation. The only thing that can help is to find something else for their tongues to wag about.”
“The warriors are questioning things as well,” Corwin said.
Varrick’s blue eyes heated with anger. “It must be the young ones, for the seasoned warriors know better. Remind them that they are to obey. They do not question.”
“Aye, my lord,” Corwin said and went to do just that.
Varrick kept hold of his wife’s hand, not trusting what someone might do out of fear. It was only when they reached the area of the outside wall where the animals had been left that he released her hand and helped ease her down to examine the animals.
Fia searched for signs that might alert her to what had caused their deaths but after a close look she found nothing.
“Another one!” a warrior shouted.
Fia hurried to stand, her husband helping her, and he rushed along with her to where the warrior stood. One look told Fia what she needed to know. This squirrel tried to crawl away, find a place to die, and in so doing left clues to his demise. Fia looked at her husband after taking a closer look at the squirrel. “These animals were poisoned.”
“How do you know?” Varrick asked.
She pointed to the trail of excrement that had followed behind the animal and to his mouth. “He was unable to hold his bowels and he was salivating badly, both signs of poison. If I examined the insides of the animals, I am sure I would find their bowels empty.”
Varrick kept his voice low. “You are not cutting the animals open. There is enough talk to accuse you, I will not have more added to it.”
“It is the only way to learn, to discover the truth of it,” Fia argued, though gently.
“You already have. Poison killed the animals. That means their deaths were intentional. The question is, who and why? Varrick said, his mind churning with possibilities.
“Please let me examine the animals further?” she asked.
“Nay,” he said and summoned Argus with a wave. “See these animals buried. They were poisoned and I do not want any other animals feeding on them.”
Argus’s eyes widened in surprise. “Are you sure?”
“You question me?” Varrick snapped.
“Nay, my lord, nay, I but wonder who would do such a thing?” Argus said.
“As do I, Argus,” Varrick said and stepped away with Fia to leave Argus to the task.
Once a distance away, Fia halted their steps. “You need to let me go into the woods to see what I can find. Something is not right here. A human hand did this.”
“How can you be sure?” Varrick challenged. “There are those who will claim that Arawn poisoned the animals, made them suffer for not getting the soul he wanted.”
“I do not believe that,” Fia argued. “A human is responsible for this, and the answer may be found in the woods. You brought me here to help. Let me help.”
* * *
“You cannot lether go alone. She may work her magic there,” Corwin said, sitting with Argus, Marsh, and Lord Varrick in the Great Hall, the hour late and all others having gone but them.
“It is what you brought her here to do,” Argus reminded and finished the little that was left of the ale in his tankard before filling it again.
“But what if she possesses no magic? What if she tells the truth that she is a healer?” Marsh asked. “We could be sending an innocent woman to her death.”
“Do I need to remind all of you that she may not have cut a heart out of a man, but she did cut open the heart? What sane, God-fearing woman would do such a horrendous thing?” Argus asked as if the answer was obvious.
Marsh shook his head. “A few short days ago I would have been arguing the same, but she saved my son’s life and not through magic but with her skill. How do I condemn her now?”
“How do you know she did not use magic?” Corwin asked.
