Tracking (Court Opening Day, afternoon)

[shaharazad]

Gar Logan had spent the morning escorting various family members to and from the infirmary where they were checking on the condition of Lord Slade. Lord Stanhelm had made Logan's orders clear. He wanted Logan to stay clear of court, at least until Stanhelm had an idea of how the other nobles were reacting

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[shaharazad]

Jenna Slade Pax had spent the morning at her father's side, hoping for for some sign of improvement and for the chance he might be able to speak a few words. There was no change.Becoming more and more frustrated sitting around and doing nothing, she used the noon mealtime as an excuse to lead the infirmary, quickly sending her attendants away on various errands.

Finally free of watching eyes, Jenna made her way to the stables, following her intuition. She wasn't sure what she wanted to do when she got there, but she couldn't just sit around while the men who had stabbed her father might be running free. It was the first time she had come here, but she had felt something drawing her to see this place for herself, almost since she'd first heard the news about her father.

She walked slowly along the path, her eyes sweeping the ground but unsure of what to look for.

Then a movement off to the side caught her eye. She stepped back, startled, before recognizing Gar Logan. She remembered Gar as a child playing with some of the other boys in the gardens of the Slade estates. Now he had become one of her father's most trusted men.

Gar bowed, "Greetings, Lady Pax. I didn't mean to startle you."

Jenna returned the greeting, and they exchanged some pleasantries. She could tell he was here for the same thing she was.

[shaharazad]

Jenna knew it wouldn't be proper to ask Gar directly about his investigation, and her attempts to work around that were time-consuming.

"Out for some fresh air?"

"A brief patrol, M'Lady. People have said I seldom rest from my duties."

His duties. Keeping his Lord safe and his land clear of bandits and crimminals.

"Well, I can't blame you, given the circumstances. My thanks for your presence at my father's side this morning. Your dedication has not gone unnoticed. But you should allow yourself time to rest, you know."

There, she'd let him know that she understood what he was doing here. Now to see if he picked up on it.

"Thank you, M'Lady. You needn't worry for my health. I get plenty of rest, and fresh air as well. Exercise and practice, as well. Even here in the city, I find my chances to get out-of-doors and put my skills at stalking and tracking to the test."

Jenna nodded. Now they were getting somewhere.

"The palace gardens must provide lovely opportunities. It's not the wilderness, of course, but where else in a city would you find so many growing things or such beautiful, quiet places."

Yes. Let's find a quiet place to talk more openly. But instead of responding Gar's attention shifted to the path. Someone else was approaching.

[shaharazad]

It was one of Gar's rangers approaching, seeming hurried.

"Captain! I've been looking all over for you! House Kassof's allies attempted to place the blame on you for the stabbing! No worry, though, even that servant wench Caerling of Kassof couldn't speak a word against you! Lord Hestor's accusation was nearly laughed out of the court!"

Jenna had shrunk back a bit as the ranger approached, and for just a second she froze at his words, her eyes narrowing with anger. She composed herself just as the ranger noticed her for the first time, which halted his words and left him red-faced.

"Oh... Um... My pardon, M'Lady."

"It's all right, Jakesen. At ease. The Lady was just asking me about late-blooming primroses. None here, though. It sounds like I'd better get to court, and at least observe the rest of the proceedings. May I escort you back to the infirmary, M'Lady?"

Jenna politely declined and watched as the two rangers made their way back to court. There was only one primrose bush in the royal gardens, and it was in a little isolated corner far from the palace buildings. She decided she'd wait until court finished up and then go for a walk.

She was about to make her way back to check on her father when something off the path caught her eye. She stopped to look, and for a second it seemed like there was nothing in the spot, but Jenna moved closer and now she could see it clearly: a small curved white bit... A bone? She pushed aside a branch and bent to pick it up. It was a polished tooth or tusk from some animal, maybe a boar, Jenna wasn't sure. And there were some kind of symbols carved in it. It hung on a rawhide strand that had torn or snapped. She took another look around her, but could find nothing else. Placing the carved tooth in her pocket, she retreated back to the path and hurried her steps toward the chapel infirmary.

Palace gardens several hours later

[shaharazad]

Jenna didn't have to wait by the primrose bush for long. Gar Logan stepped carefully out from a small side path and bowed to the lady. She was early, and she looked nervous. Gar would have preferred to search the area more thoroughly to make sure they would not be observed.

Jenna got right down to business. "What do you know about the men who tried to kill my father?"

"Four of them, M'Lady. One barefoot, three dressed in soft boots. Very skilled woodsmen from what I can tell. As good as the best of my men."

"And who is as good as the best of your men?"

"In Ferstaal, no one, M'Lady. At least no one that I've ever crossed paths with."

Jenna removed the carved tooth from her pouch and showed it to Gar.

"This was just off the path near where you were searching."

Gar took it and examined it closely. "These markings are one of the orc or troll languages. May I..."

"No." Jenna took it back. "I have some other people I'd like to inquire about it with. I'll pass it to you if they turn up nothing."

Gar nodded. "We should speak again."

"Agreed. At this spot in two days time. Early, though. I take morning walks in the gardens. It will not raise suspicion."

Gar bowed and disappeared the way he came.

Jenna wrapped her find up in a cloth and made her way back along the main garden path.

Re: Palace gardens several hours later

[shaharazad]

As the two figures departed, another rose from the lengthening shadows nearby and made its way silently in the direction the woman had taken.

But even this figure was being observed.

From a nearby thicket, Lady Bridget Emile, dressed in the garb of a gardener, watched as the shadowy shape followed the path the lady had taken.

Bridget smiled to herself. She enjoyed watching a skilled hunter at work. Even more enjoyable would be watching its reaction when it became the hunted.