Murder in Cormyr - Chet Williamson [41]
"How could you tell he was dead?" Lindavar asked.
"Well, sor, with his head over here and the rest of him over there, it didn't look promisin' for him."
He spoke this last with the same utter earnestness that had graced the rest of his narrative, and I withheld what I feared would sound like a crazy laugh, though I thought I saw Benelaius's lips turn upward just a bit.
"No, sor, he was deader than a fish. A dead fish, I mean to say."
"When you saw the body," Benelaius said, "what did you do?"
"I hightailed out of there, sor. I figgered that whatever done fer him might try and do fer me, and I like me head right where it is, sor."
Benelaius nodded understandingly. "A wise move, under the quite frightening circumstances."
Darvik looked puzzled, then went on. "If you say so, sor. Anyways I ran, and runnin' ain't too smart when you got to think about where to put your feet, and that's how come I got so mucky. But I made it out all right, and run up to the road, and thank the gods, down it is comin' some of the Purple Dragons."
"I was reconnoitering with some of my men," said Captain Flim. "It was lucky we were riding by when this one came up on the road. He took us back to see, and after I saw who it was, I left the men there and rode into town for the mayor. Right away he said he had to see you."
"Benelaius, you must do something," Tobald said. "I mean, Dovo's murder was bad enough, but to have an envoy of King Azoun slaughtered… and the king's relative, on top of it!"
"There there, Tobald," said my master. "I know it must come as a terrible shock to you, but I assure you, we shall do everything we can. Have you sent word to Suzail yet?"
Tobald nodded. "Of course. Captain Flim's speediest messenger is on his way even now with the news." He shook his head disconsolately. "Oh, terrible, terrible day," he wailed. "Everything had been going so smoothly for the arrival of the guild council… and when my gout kicked up again, I knew something bad was going to happen. But this…"
"Ah, yes, your gout," said Benelaius as though he had forgotten. "Jasper did say you needed some more medication, and that you had requested a physical examination as well. I'll tell you what, Tobald, why don't we let Jasper, Lindavar, and Captain Flim go back to the swamp, and you remain here with me. You seem quite distressed, and it would be wise for me to give you a thorough examination now to make sure that nothing ails you but your gout."
A wave of relief swept through me at this suggestion, for I could think of nothing worse than Tobald mourning and moaning and distracting us as we searched for clues. Perhaps it was in Benelaius's mind as well, for he was quick to insist when Tobald demurred.
"Oh, Benelaius, I must go. Grodoveth was under the protection of Ghars, and his death reflects shockingly on our town-and on me as its mayor!"
"Nonsense," said my master. "The mayor cannot help if the king's envoy decides to go off on his own into the middle of a swamp where a murder has recently been committed. Hold yourself blameless and consider the task ahead of you this week. The Merchants' Guild council meets in Ghars, murder or not, and it is up to you and Barthelm to offer them the very best hospitality you can. In order to do that, you must be in the pink of health. Now, have you seen Dr. Braum lately?"
"We stopped at his house," Tobald said, "but he was out seeing a patient." Then he added under his breath, "That great quack… gave me snake dung salve, he did… I'd like to snake dung him, I'll tell you…"
"That settles it," Benelaius said, turning to the rest of us. "Captain Flim, Darvik, I would be appreciative if you would lead Lindavar and Jasper to the… place of the murder, while I minister to Mayor Tobald."
"Happy to, sir," said Captain Flim, who then corrected himself. "Well, not 'happy to,' the circumstances