Birthright: The Contested Seat

Wayin

Wayin had spent the morning and most of the evening before, searching through census records in Lord Sommel's office. He was determined to find more information on the woman he met in Lord's Way. When the queen had the children of the city's nobility sent to the mines, the woman's reaction was suspicious. She did not panic as the rest had, and she met Wayin's eyes as if she knew something he didn't.

As he rifled through the last box, nearly giving up hope, he finally found what he was looking for. The property deed to her home was in his hands but, to his dismay, both her name and that of her husband were blacked out. It only served to raise his suspicions further. Did Lord Sommel know this woman well enough to keep her identity a secret? Now that he was dead, Wayin had no way to be certain.

It seemed that Lord Sommel had more to hide than he let on. Perhaps he weaponized this woman's information against her. Perhaps he blackmailed her with it and so she had him killed. It was a possibility, but an unlikely one. There would be no reason for Lord Sommel to hide this information if he was using it for blackmail.

The only solution was for Wayin to speak with her again, face to face. At the very least, he would be able to get her name. He wasn't so weak in the mind to think that she would volunteer facts about her life so easily, but at least he would be able to observe her. He may be able to detect any untruthfulness, whether through her expressions or tone of voice.

He put the records into his pocket and placed the box back on the shelf from which he took it. Lord Sommel had kept the city records and since his death, there was no one to take on the responsibility of keeping up with them. Wayin would need to speak with the queen soon about replacing Sommel, but he needed to make sure it was someone trustworthy. He needed more allies around him, that was certain.

Leaving the Councilors' Tower, he made his way back to his own. The crisp autumn air felt refreshing when paired with the warmth of the sun. Autumn had come to Ethios and Wayin was grateful. The summer heat had been unbearable and cooler weather usually brought cooler heads. The queen, especially, was at her most irritable in the summer months. Though she shared Rentosian heritage, thanks to her mother, she did not inherit the Rentosian resistance to heat. In that aspect, she was an Ethosian to the core.

Upon returning to his tower, he donned his cloak and made his way back outside again. Brokepurse was quite crowded that day; the merchants and citizens both were taking full advantage of the nice weather. Though this was true, Wayin still detected an air of tension and melancholy. It had been a week since the queen had sent the nobility's children to the mines. From what Wayin heard, they were not being treated well. They were fed enough to keep them strong, and their accommodations were fair, but their working conditions were abhorrent.

The nobility had since stopped petitioning the queen for their release. It was only irritating her further, and that would only serve to send their children into an even earlier grave. Instead, they had begun their search for the assassin. Wayin didn't know what they had hoped to find. They had no information to work with and could do nothing but grasp at air. Wayin couldn't fault them, however. They had to do what they could to have their children returned to them.

It took Wayin some time to make his way through the crowded market, but the district of Lord's Way was not any better. The nobility was out in force, questioning all who walked through the streets. The hysteria had caused quite a bit of problems for the crown. Accusations by the hundreds poured in every day, and each had to be fully investigated by the guard. None of them held any truth, however, and this seemed to anger the queen more.

Finally, Wayin had found the woman's home again. He knocked on the door and patiently waited until it was opened.

There she was, elegant as she had been before.