Verdan glared at Tom as he shut the door to Natalia’s house behind him. “What’s happened?”

“Sergeant Falk is here to talk to you again. He says he’s found some new information and that it’s urgent,” Tom said, shuffling back from Verdan slightly as he gestured toward the mansion.

“Fine. Let’s see what he’s found.” Verdan started towards the mansion at a quick pace as he tried not to take his frustration out on Tom.

Tom gave Verdan a clear berth as they made their way over to the mansion, and though it wasn’t a long walk, it was enough for Verdan to unwind a little and feel embarrassed for being so frustrated.

Verdan hesitated at the door and looked over to his companion. “Sorry about that, Tom. I didn’t mean to snap at you like that.”

“No problem, Boss, you’ve been under a lot of stress recently,” Tom said, shrugging away Verdan’s concern with ease.

“Wizard Blacke, thank you for taking the time to talk to me. It’s much appreciated,” Falk said, coming over to greet them as they entered the mansion.

“Not at all, Sergeant. What can I do for you?”

“Well, the initial interview with Lieutenant Michaels has been done, but I’ll be going in now to do a more thorough one, and I wanted to see if you’d like to come along?”

Verdan tensed at the mention of the Lieutenant, but he forcibly unclenched his jaw and nodded. “I’d like that, Sergeant. When should I meet you there?”

“Now, if you have the time?” The Sergeant quirked an eyebrow in Verdan’s direction, who sighed internally before nodding. “Excellent, shall we, then?”

Verdan nodded reluctantly and followed the Sergeant outside and towards the gates, Tom tagging along at his heels.

-**-

Commander Griffon was overseeing everything when they arrived at the guard headquarters, but from the bags under his eyes and his pale skin, Verdan doubted he’d gotten any sleep.

Sergeant Falk went on ahead to arrange for the Lieutenant to be moved to an interrogation room, which gave Verdan a few moments to himself.

“Commander, are you alright?” Verdan moved over to Griffon, noting the empty mug on the table next to the reports that the Commander was reading.

“I’m managing,” Griffon said with a mirthless laugh. “With just myself and Lieutenant Silver, we’re struggling to keep on top of everything.”

“Perhaps I can help somewhat. I could use a minor healing spell with an energy component to help you get through the day?” Verdan cringed internally at the idea of using an energy spell on someone else after he’d misused it so badly himself, but at least the Commander couldn’t be as reliant as Verdan had been.

“I definitely wouldn’t turn that down,” Griffon said eagerly.

“Iacha hyn,” Verdan melded his basic healing with the energy spell he was used to, letting them work together to boost the guard commander.

“Damn, now that’s something,” Griffon said, sitting up straight in his chair and rubbing his face. “I feel like I’ve just woken up from a full night’s sleep.”

“It won’t last forever, but it should help manage the worst of it,” Verdan said, fighting down the urge to use it on himself. Part of him was saying that he needed it to make sure he didn’t miss anything in the interrogation, but Verdan knew well enough that it was just an excuse.

Thankfully, the Sergeant came back to get them before Verdan could be too tempted, and they were led through to the room where Lieutenant Michaels was being kept.

Verdan could feel the Lieutenant’s hateful gaze on him the moment he walked in, but from the satisfied look in Falk’s eyes, that wasn’t unexpected.

“Why is he here?” Michaels asked frostily, addressing Falk directly as he eyed Verdan.

“Well, in our talk previously, you said that Wizard Blacke had planted this evidence against you, so I wanted to try and get to the bottom of that today,” Falk said, making a slight gesture below the table at Verdan. “The Wizard had been brought in for questioning as you demanded, so this is our chance.”

“Good,” Michaels gave Verdan a smug look before turning back to Falk with an intent expression. “What did you want to know?”

“Let’s start with the uniforms. We have them down as being ordered by you. Is that not the case?”

“No, I never ordered any.”

“But it’s your signature that is on the order form with the tailors?”

“Well, yes, but I just pre-sign order forms for Sergeant Troy, and then he cashes them in when needed. Clearly, the Wizard found this out and stole one to frame me!”

“I see. Very interesting,” Falk said, nodding along and giving Verdan a suspicious look while making a calming gesture where Michaels couldn’t see. “And what about the safe house for the Sect Sorcerers?”

“I’m not sure about that one,” Michaels said, furrowing his brow and shaking his head. “I don’t know how he pulled that off, but I definitely wasn’t in touch with them!”

“Hmm, I have a letter here that they provided. It has your family seal at the bottom,” Falk produced an expensive-looking letter and placed it on the table between them.

“Yes, that is my seal, but mine was stolen weeks ago. I’ve been using my father’s since he passed,” Michaels said, looking away for a moment before taking a breath and spreading his arms. “Search me, search my home. You’ll find no trace of it.”

“I see, and there’s no chance of it being present in your office here, then?” Falk asked, watching Michaels intently as he spoke.

“What? No, no chance, and if you did find it, it’s all the more proof that the Wizard is lying. Ask Sergeant Troy. He’ll tell you that I never bring my family seal when on duty. It would be inappropriate.”

“I see,” Falk nodded, starting to turn to Verdan before pausing and lifting a finger. “Just one more thing, Lieutenant. You’ve been somewhat antagonistic since the first time you met Wizard Blacke. What was it that started this?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Michaels furrowed his brow, looking at the Sergeant with what seemed to be genuine confusion.

“In this situation, no matter my opinions, all the information has to come from you,” Falk said, giving Michaels a sympathetic look.

Verdan was certain that Falk was playing Michaels, but even so, his mannerisms were persuasive enough that Verdan was a little concerned he was being set up.

Tom shifted uncomfortably in his seat, but Verdan was quick to motion for him to stay out of it. This was the Sergeant’s ploy, and they needed to give him time to work.

“Well, since he arrived in the city, he’s been causing issues. I’ve had multiple reports of him using his power to force cooperation out of locals. Then he extorted money from the loggers to help them, and when he returned, he started provoking the Weeping Death. The Sect isn’t great, none of them are, but they had a good intention for the city, and he went and ruined it all!”

“These reports, this information, did it come from a credible source?”

“Of course, I even went outside the guard for opinions and was told similar tales elsewhere.”

Despite Verdan’s efforts, some of his incredulity must have shown through as Michaels hesitated, glancing between Verdan and Falk with suspicion.

Realising that the act had gone on as far as it could, Falk’s posture changed, and a hard expression settled onto his face. “Let me explain something, Lieutenant. I’ve done my own investigation into the Wizard, and while his presence did indeed provoke the Weeping Death, it only accelerated a process that was already ongoing.”

“What, no, you have it all wrong…” Michaels began to say, but Falk just talked over him, staring him down.

“As for the logging and these other matters you mentioned, there is no record or proof for any of this, and in fact, most people seem to favour both him and his companions quite favourably. Beyond this, he is the biggest aid we have against the Sects, and you have been working against him from day one. Clearly, you have been working for the Weeping Death.”

“That’s a lie!” Michaels jumped to his feet, and Verdan brought a few choice words to mind that would put the Lieutenant in his place if he tried anything.

“Sit down!” Falk barked, glaring at Michaels until he sat down once more. “Your seal was found in your office. The same one used to sign this letter. You signed for that uniform order. You gave it to the Sect. You facilitated all of this, and you’ve been actively supporting their people within the city.”

“No, I told you, Sergeant Troy…”

“Sergeant Troy was the one who directed us there, and he confirmed your visit to the tailors as well.”

“No, no, that makes no sense,” Michaels’s voice took on a pleading tone, but Falk was having none of it and continued on mercilessly.

“You are a traitor to the city, and what’s worse, you helped plan the murder of your own father. The shipment that was brought in by the people you helped contained a special concoction that marked the targets for the Vespa. You murdered him as surely as if you held the knife yourself. His blood is on your hands, and for what? Power? Money?”

Michaels shuddered as Falk bit out each word, his eyes wide and disbelieving. He tried to speak, but nothing came out, and Falk carried on without pause.

“Knowing you were involved in the Vespa attack makes me wonder how much you knew of the previous attempt on your father’s life. How convenient that you were away from the house when it was hit with poison. Was that your doing as well?”

“No!” Michaels denied the accusation with what seemed to be genuine anger. “I loved my father. I would never have taken part in any of that. I’m being set up. The Wizard must be behind it!”

“The Wizard, the biggest threat to the Sect in the city, is the one working with them to frame you? Why?” Falk asked, his voice back to speaking level as he verbally poked the Lieutenant.

“I don’t know…”

“No, the Wizard makes no sense, but I do think you’re being set up,” Falk’s voice was soft now, and Verdan watched with admiration as Michaels clung to the promise of hope that the Sergeant offered. “All the evidence points to you, but too much to be believable. If you’d done this, you’d have taken steps to protect yourself.”

Michaels nodded eagerly, happy to go along with the ray of hope that Falk was giving him. “Yes, exactly, I was set up!”

“So whoever did it stole your seal, when did you lose it?”

“I don’t remember. It was weeks ago.”

“Hmm, I see,” Falk said, leaning back in his chair for a moment before cocking his head to one side. “Tell me about Sergeant Troy. You work closely together; how much do you know about him?”

“Not much. We don’t really socialise outside of work. The most we’ve done together was when he brought me to a few card games, but I think that was just an excuse to borrow more money.”

“More money?” Falk repeated sharply.

“Well, he said his mother was ill, and he needed money to pay for her medicine, but with the city being what it is, we’re not particularly well paid. I loaned him some money a couple of times, but he’s not needed any in at least a month or two. Why?”

“That’s something I can’t share, but we’re done here. Wizard Blacke, do you have any questions?”

“Not as such,” Verdan said, getting to his feet and eyeing the Lieutenant with sympathy. He was fairly certain the man had been used from day one, and while he doubted he’d ever think of him fondly, he no longer actively detested him. “I’d only say that despite everything, I’ll do my best to find out who killed your father and that I hold you no ill will for how you’ve been played.”

Verdan didn’t wait for the Lieutenant to respond before walking out, Tom following a few steps behind him and Falk joining them a moment later.

“So, thoughts?” The Sergeant asked, looking at Verdan questioningly.