Chapter 183: The Hidden Attacker 2

Tanaka remembered the letter Mereth had received from her brother. The Fox-folk had found several merchant deals with her name on. Tavren Raukhan had warned her not to destroy anything. If Mereth had discovered a link between the deals and the recent attacks then the book may have held information to expose the person behind it.

"Have you heard anything about Mereth’s business recently?" Tanaka asked. "No. She never talked about it. Sometimes she would argue with merchants or receive letters that would make her angry. I heard mention of House Velmire a few times but I don’t know what deals they had."

Another lead. Although not a useful one. Tanaka already knew that Mereth owed money to House Velmire. The Fox-folk had many enemies because of their links with magical items, private deals and merchant deals. If they wanted to kill Mereth and point the finger at the Fox-folk then using their existing link would have been an obvious choice. "Continue looking into the deals. Find out who would have gained from the missing book." Garric nodded.

"There is another issue. Lord Tavren Raukhan is demanding that Lynessa be handed over to the Tiger-folk. He believes she is responsible for his sister’s death and believes the Wolf Crown are protecting her due to your involvement." Tanaka narrowed his eyes. "What about King Aldren?" "He refuses to hand her over until the investigation is complete. However Tavren has warned that if he tries to protect his sister’s murderer then he will be interfering with Tiger-folk authority."

Tanaka turned to Lynessa. She had heard everything and her eyes were full of fear. The accusations against her weren’t just about murder anymore. If the Tiger-folk ruler decided that the Wolf Crown were protecting a criminal then it could cause problems between the territories. The real murderer would be free to plan another attack. "Lynessa will stay protected under the Wolf Crown until we know the truth. I will help find out who framed her."

Garric looked at Tanaka for a moment before nodding. He looked relieved that Tanaka understood how political this situation was. However he was still worried about how far the investigation could go. With so many rulers in Varghelm it could cause problems if another assassination occurred. Tanaka turned back to Lynessa. "You won’t be left to deal with this on your own." For the first time that morning she believed him.

By late afternoon Tanaka had gone through the list of rulers and delegates still in Varghelm. There were several names linked to trade disputes, merchant deals and territorial disputes. However nothing stood out. The most obvious suspects were also likely to be the first ones a cunning person would want him to look into. One thing was bugging him. The deals had been with merchants outside of the main Beastfolk territories. Several trade routes were controlled by smaller kingdoms. Some of them had gone through middle men whose names had appeared in records relating to the Fox-folk. However it was difficult to tell who was actually receiving the money. It looked like someone in a position of power had used the merchants as a cover. Money and orders were being passed between territories.

Garric tapped a name. "This ruler attended the gathering. However their territory doesn’t really have much influence over the main nations. Their merchants have tried to get better access to the northern trade routes for years." Tanaka looked at the document. A minor ruler wouldn’t have much power to challenge the Wolf Crown, Lion Tribe or other powerful figures. They may have used secret deals, fake evidence and getting their rivals to destroy each other. "Don’t go to them yet. Find out who deals with their private deals and see if any of their names appear in the missing records." Garric gathered up the papers.

"Do you think a ruler is involved?" "I think someone is using the merchants as a cover. They would have enough resources to copy the Fox-folk magic and plan a murder without leaving a clear trail. It doesn’t prove they are a ruler but it would explain why they have prepared the evidence so well." Tanaka looked out of the window. The lights of Varghelm were starting to show. The festival had brought together rulers who rarely met in one place. The enemy had used this to create suspicion. It may not have ended there. If the missing book had names of people funding the attacks then Mereth’s death may have just been the start.

Whilst Tanaka continued his investigation another figure moved through the quiet streets of Varghelm. A member of the Lion Tribe. A high ranking warrior who had travelled with Garrath Goldmane. He had returned to his quarters after spending the evening with several members of his delegate. He had sent away his personal attendant and was getting ready for bed. He believed the royal area was safe. Especially with so many guards around the guest quarters. He was wrong.

The assassin had entered through the side window. Using a concealment spell to warp the light around his body. The same magic as before, copied Fox-folk spirit magic, surrounded him. As the Lion warrior felt someone behind him he turned. But it was too late. The blade had already sliced into his ribs. The warrior stumbled forward trying to grab the sword by his bed. But a second blow silenced him. The assassin gently lowered the body to the floor and placed a small Fox-folk charm beside the fallen hand. He stepped back.

Two deaths. Two trails pointing to the Fox-folk. The assassin slipped out of the window and vanished into the darkness. The night guard didn’t pass by the house. In another part of Varghelm a man sat alone in his private room reading a report that had been handed to him by an unseen messenger. A signet lay beside his hand. It had the emblem of a smaller Beastfolk kingdom. The crown was thin.

The man closed the report. Phase one complete. Phase two had begun. By the morning Varghelm would wake to find the dead Lion warrior had turned Mereth Raukhan’s murder into a far more dangerous situation.