laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Darkened, the clouded sky blanketed the world around them as the trio of paladins and their escorting templar rode towards the small farm south of town. The heavy clop on the dirt road mixed with the howling wind as the chill of winter found every nook and cranny of his armor. Allen had seen many crime scenes in his lifetime and while dedicated to the deity of justice, had not left any victim forgotten. This would be just another investigation that would lead to a favorable outcome. Hopefully, the suspect or suspects weren't far from them now.

Nathaniel led towards the open field, furrowed and planted for autumn crops of which would be reaped soon. "What do you know about the family thus far?"

"Oscar and his wife Beatrice had four sons. Good and faithful family to Eliminoir and Yaeby, they have relatives that will take over the duties here at the farm," he motioned as Sir Allen noticed two men rise at their approach then step out to greet the knights. Bowing, both men appeared in their early twenties.

"Good day, milords," the taller greeted, pitchfork in hand which stood nearly as high. "What occasions the visit?"

"Sir Allen," Nathaniel motioned as the six knights dismounted. "Would like to see the home. We're hoping to glean a bit more from what happened."

Sobered, the men both nodded as the taller one continued. "I hope that Arhus guides you to those murderers soon."

"As do we," Allen agreed as he stepped towards the modest home. Single story, the thatch roof was newly replaced as its lighter tan color brightened the surroundings of grey walls, mud yard and grey clouds above. "How long have you both been here?"

"Not long, milord. Just this morning to bury my brother and his family," he shrugged. "As soon as they're ready to be."

Allen nodded, "The priest should be delivering their bodies back to you this day". He continued walking up to the home as Nathaniel and Albert followed him. Quiet, the echoing laughter of the boys and both parents haunted him as he stepped into the main room. Nothing was amiss, the hearth and long table nearby undisturbed. Both bench seats neatly pushed underneath as a lone candle remained sentry atop the honed and polished wood face.

"The main room is just there," Nathaniel pointed left and through a doorway where steel-blue eyes noticed the bed.

"Why don't you two take a look outside and around back," the knight-commander instructed. "Hopefully, our perpetrator left some sign for us."

"Yes, sir," both replied and retreated back into the windy air which now whistled through the drafty home, carrying a piece of parchment on a circuitous route through the home, past the knight who moved to the master bedroom and out the back door, now ajar. He grinned to himself as he stopped at the doorway and gazed to his right, out into the back yard and into the forest beyond. A sign?

'Great father,' he began as he whispered to his champion. 'Guide me in what happened here so that justice may be brought to these innocent people. Your servants.'

In moments, that familiar charge in the air sent the comforting chill up his spine. A feeling that he never got used to, even after forty-three years of service. His surroundings brightened a small amount as he noticed his champion's presence behind him.

'The assassin has already been brought to justice. You'll find his body a league south of here in the forest.'

'Then, who hired him that I may arrest them as well? Surely this investigation doesn't end with that one.'

'It does. There are more important things to accomplish in Polgar for now.'

A bit confused, Allen's brow furrowed. Although, knowing the nature of his benefactor, sometimes things were best left as is. He sighed, 'As you wish. It just bothers me that this family will know no peace until the true villains are found.'

'They were at peace shortly after they died.'

He nodded. No sense in arguing, he never won anyway. A realization that garnered a light chuckle from his female advisor who soon vanished.
That done, he moved to the back door, pulled it open in time to see Sir Albert emerge from the western corner. "Our assassin is in the woods," he motioned to the south. "About a league from here."

Surprised, the younger paladin scanned the distant treeline and nodded. "I'll find him then."

"Gather your horse and take Edwin with you. Bring back the body and we'll return to Polgar."

"Yes, sir."