Sheepfarmers Daughter by Elizabeth Moon Read Free Book Online Page A

word to take on something, Korryn's or hers, what would you have said?"
    "Well — Paks's, of course. But now — "
    "No buts. If it's just Paks against Korryn, we
know
Paks is more trustworthy. She's never done one underhanded thing yet."
    "Yes, but what about Stephi? He's not like Korryn, that I've heard."
    "No, that's true, and I've known him as long as you have. But I've seen him in fights — to be as dazed as he was, with no more marks on him — that's not like him. I wish I knew how badly he's hurt."
    Bosk edged in the door. "Korryn's safe, sir. And Saben wants to talk to you."
    "I'll get to him. You need to hear this too, Bosk. Stephi's story is that Paks jumped him when he hadn't done more than proposition her, right? And that she halfway killed him, except that Korryn dragged her off just before we got there."
    The corporals nodded. "He said — or was it Korryn? — that he'd only hit her a couple of times since the fight started, she was so wild," added Devlin.
    "Then how is it," asked Stammel, "that Paks is lying down there too weak to stand, covered with bruises and welts?"
    "Welts?"
    "Yes. Stephi's belt, according to her, and Korryn still had his on, as I recall." Stammel moved restlessly about the little room. "I can't explain Stephi's part in this, but it needs explaining. He's not known as a liar, but—"
    "Come to think of it," Devlin interrupted, "most of that story came from Korryn, remember? Stephi hardly said a word — nodded when Korryn said 'isn't that right' — muttered a little, but that's all."
    "Still — I've got to come up with answers before the captain goes to bed. We can't spring all this in the morning. Now: Devlin, I'll be using this room to talk to those who were in the room at any time while Stephi was there. I want you to find out, as quietly as possible, whether anyone saw Stephi acting strangely at any time this afternoon or evening. Bosk, you find Maia, Siger, and the afternoon watch commander, and have them meet me in - half a glass. If I'm not through here, come along and I'll step out to meet them in the yard. Got that?"
    "Yes, sir."
    "I'll speak to Saben first. And remember — keep this quiet."
    "Yes, sir." Bosk and Devlin left the room, and Stammel seated himself behind the desk. Almost at once Saben appeared in the doorway.
    "Come in, Saben." The tall boy was obviously worried.
    "Please, sir," Saben began even before he was all the way in. "No matter what they say, Paks couldn't have done anything that bad. You ought to know that. She never even hit Korryn, and he pestered her all the time — "
    'Just a minute now," Stammel interrupted. "You're the one who came to find us, right?"
    "Yes, sir."
    "I want to know when you first saw Corporal Stephi, and how he acted, and everything you yourself saw him do, or Paks do, until you left the room."
    "Yes, sir. Well, this afternoon our unit was having weapons practice with Siger, and that's when he - I mean Corporal Stephi - rode in with the others. My file was waiting turns, and I'd been watching Paks and Siger, but then I started watching the newcomers."
    "How did they look?"
    Saben pursed his lips. "Very — impressive, sir. Coben and I were saying we hoped we'd look like that. Anyway, Corporal Stephi sent some recruit for the quartermaster, and looked around until he came. He looked at Paks then, sir, but I didn't think anything of it. She is good to look at, and she actually got a touch on Siger." He paused, as if waiting for a comment from Stammel.
    "Go on."
    "When the quartermaster came out, they talked, and he and all his men took off their swords. I had hoped they'd do a demonstration for us. Then one of the men led all the horses off to the stables, and the corporal went off with the quartermaster. We were through with practice and just cleaning up for supper when I saw him speak to the guard and go through the Duke's Gate. I don't know why — "
    "To arrange lodging for his captain, most likely."
    "Anyway, I didn't see him