Chapter 5.

Derrick planned his day with meticulous care. If you only had limited strength, it made sense to not double back on yourself. At this point of the investigation most of the people he intended to visit would not have information pertinent to the case but if you threw out a large enough net statistically some of what you caught would eventually prove relevant.

Commander Yashoof opened the door himself. He had spread the rumor that he was off work on sick leave and a bandage around his head appeared to support this claim. Dereniik knew it was a lie, disciplinary proceedings under Coalition rule were always exhausting and extensive. After the initial surprise the large man ushered Dereniik into a luxurious reception room. Lady Islingtee bustled in, her kind face broke into a familiar warm smile and with predictable enthusiasm hospitality and refreshments were offered. Dereniik nodded his appreciation, the closest canteen to his suite was in the opposite direction to the people he needed to visit, breaking his fast had always been on the agenda and Lady Islingtee the most probable conniver.

Exchanging pleasantries as piping hot Caraaf and small savory rolls were consumed made for satisfactory multi-tasking. A month ago, Yashoof had been a distant acquaintance, but his teammates kept him firmly in the loop with all matters related to the Education council, making him a valuable resource with an unusual amount of time on his hands. Both enviable assets. Dereniik had cultivated the relationship, and the couple had responded with pleasure, recognizing the mutual benefit. It was natural for a man who had lost his team to forge new friendships with others. With Yashoof’s status tarnished, a decorated Hero choosing to socially call improved his community standing.

Dereniik subtly steered the conversation to his latest commission.

“An unidentified Commander at the Capital, I bet you wouldn't see too many of those?” Yashoof ran a hand back through his thinning brown hair. Both it and the meticulously trimmed goatee were streaked with grey and a couple of shades of blue.

“No, but this is perhaps not the best conversation to talk about in the presence of a Lady.”

“Oh, don't worry about me,” Islingtee chuckled. “I’m not looking at the body. And honestly your visits are the most exciting things we have going on now.” She shook her halo of soft orange hair.

Dereniik accepted her words with a smile. Women only made-up less than a fifth of the population at Chruciaal but he estimated they often produce at least half the useful information in many cases. His own beautiful bond mate had been instrumental in helping resolve several commissions. He quickly brought his mind back to the task, thinking about her, or his children, was unproductive and unnecessarily painful.

“It would be unusual for someone who works in the Capital to be missing for any length of time without members of his team knowing and covering for him. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, but it is more likely that the Commander is from another city or region and has run across foul play before it was known he was in this area. If that is the case, it's quite likely somebody has been expecting a visitor, and thinks they have been delayed.” Dereniik reasoned.

“I can check with my teammates, see if they've heard of anything like that.” Yashoof predictably volunteered.

“I'll ask around my sister's, discreetly like, this hasn't been a good rotation. Far too much tragedy in my opinion.” Lady Islingtee’s brow furrowed as she sighed.

Tragedy was a strong word, not quite the descriptor he would have used for Yashoof lack of self-control and subsequent reprimand. It was more apt a description for his own past rotation. Lady Islingtee was not a melodramatic person.

“My Lady, I am distressed to infer that some of your sisters have also experienced painful circumstances this rotation.”

“Well, not directly. Marciia is a third daughter and her second-daughter sister lost her bondmate a few months ago. Quite sudden it was, heart they think, he had never been what you would call a robust man, but it was such a nasty shock. And so soon on the heels of Trakeidy’s demise.”

“Commander Trakeidy? The Commander who was killed while out hunting a Widewing?” Dereniik inquired.

“Yes, I should have guessed you'd know about him. But I bet you don't know that the team leader, fellow by the name of Gaudioo committed suicide not long after. It was all hushed up. They said he never really forgive himself for leaving one of his men behind. I mean there must be a measure of guilt on his part, but I'd have never picked him as the remorseful type. He was always bragging about his forest trophies. So proud of killing.”

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“Removing alpha predators from the capitals immediate environment may be unpleasant but it is necessary function.” Dereniik reasoned.

“Oh no. This guy didn't just go for the alpha predators. He loved the thrill of the chase. The gore and the glory. Charismatic bloke, could get all his Workmates excited and involved. I even considered going myself once, rotations ago now. He was trying to recruit a lot of us of us to cut through a flock of migratory Denobious Flitter. Someone higher up found out and put a stop to it.”

Dereniik was not surprised the scheme had been routed. Flitters of all species did not seek out companionship with people. If you left them alone, they didn’t interfere with you. It was a satisfactory situation; with sharp claws and serrated beaks they were not defenseless. Denobious Flitters, twice the size of a regular man, swift and tenacious, filled the aurora for a couple of months with vibrant colour as they migrated in vast flocks. The animals were capable of rudimentary communication and superb cooperation between the individual members. Panicked people seldom showed similar attributes.

The conversation shifted to rumors of an unidentified predatory animal in the vicinity of the city. The lack of Great Tree Fruit available, a shipment of parchment that had gone missing and news of a group of refugees from Chinquaar.

Dereniik was making to leave before Yashoof offered to assist.

“Thank you, my friend,” Dereniik gave the man a smile and contemplated the question for a few heartbeats. “If you have time, could you go to the Nisayaan roost and check out if any riderless animals have come in over the last 9 days?”

“Yes, yes, glad to do it. Good thinking.”

Time was not on Dereniik’s side but with a few more casting nets some relevant information would have to come to light. He had not even hobbled from the enclave before sighting lady Islingtee, scurrying to one of her neighbors suites.

***

“My lady, as always it is a delight to see you.” Ly bent gracefully from the hips.

“The pleasure is mine Ly, do I dare ask what Maddie has done with the grip vines we harvested?”

The bald servant suppressed a smile. “They are draped in the reception room my lady.”

“I'm surprised, the green must clash with her colour scheme.” Any colour clashed such an intemperate amount of pink.

“They are providing an interesting obstacle course for the toddlers my lady.” Ly usured her into the hallway and gestured towards the reception room.

“Toddlers, plural, who else is here?” Viky abruptly stopped, it wouldn't be Jess and her daughter, the volume of noise was tolerable, and stress levels appeared to be normal.

“Ladies Sheeli and Shaar and their respective offspring are visiting.”

Viky hesitated, could she count on Ly’s discretion if she left now? Possibly, in the past the servant had being willing to put themselves out and come to her assistance.

It wasn't that she didn't like the twins company. They were excellent sling wielders, training with them was a challenge she enjoyed but with Maddie in the mix and it was a lot of strong minded personality to handle in a confined space.

“Actually, I really came to talk to you.”

“I live to serve my lady; in which way can I be of use to you?” Ly maintained an unperturbed professional demeanor, but the grey green eyes twinkled in amusement.

Viky grinned; the elderly D’char would be circumspect. Know where she could find a deserted tunnel or room specific for her needs. Not ask questions, offer advice, or interfere and not having to interact with Maddie would give her at least an extra half a hand-breadth of uninterrupted practice.

“Viky, I thought I heard your voice, Ly why have you kept her out here in the hallway, come in, come in.”

Or not. Viky plastered a smile across her face and greeted her friend.

Maddie's reception room, much like its primary inhabitant, had no comprehension of the word moderation. Every surface, stuffed to capacity, shouted with items vying for attention. Vases of glass and fine China, candles, bowls of paper mâché and intricately designed jewelry displayed in exquisite boxes. Cheerful needlework and candlewick cushions spill over couches. Fabric sachets and threaded shells imbued with exotic scents. From the softest blush of pastel pink to aggressive hot fuchsia, Viky had not relised the colour came in so many subtle variations. Stephaan had added an absurd number of shelves to every vertical surface and realistic sculptures and carvings crowded the smoothed wood. Suspended from these soft furnishings cascaded down walls.

The curly brown hair of Maddie's first-born daughter Llyghaan stood out in stark contrast against the profuse layers of magenta swaddling the little girl. Vicky needed conscious effort to locate her friend’s newborn daughter. The infant had inherited her mother's soft pink coloring and tended to disappear, swallowed by the caotic background.

Draped across the room at awkward angles lengths of grip vine-rope intersected the already cluttered living area.

“I take it we have to blame you for this absurdity?” Sheeli laughed shaking her head after customary greetings had been exchanged.

“Not exactly, I would have asked Ly for the directions of an unused servant’s tunnel and dried them there. They don't have to be off the ground, enough air will circulate if they are just spaced a little apart.”

“How long will it take?” The ever-practical Shaar asked.

“At this time of the rotation, you'd want to start cutting and working on them within the next three or four days.” Viky gave one an experimental prod, judged the moisture content to be about where it should be.

“And how long will it take before you have the finished product?”

“That will depend on Tushii. I'm not sure how her skills will translate onto a different medium. We haven't even asked her yet, so I don't think you have to develop a marketing strategy just yet.”

“That's OK, Jess and I already talked to her this morning.” Maddie, gave herself a hug in self-appreciation. “She's very excited to be on board.”

Interesting. Viky would have liked to have known exactly how Maddie had spun the story to gain the proud woman's acceptance so quickly. Although, she had taken Jess and the more discreet woman had possibly take the lead in the conversation. Viky contemplated the pleasant idea that minimum instruction and effort on her part may be necessary. The project would also keep some of the more energetic and interfering members of her sisterhood engaged.

She was looking forward to the additional privacy .