Chapter 19
Public Order
Kartzet, Kingdom of Hannibal
Normally a simple house fire would not warrant the personal attention of one of the sufetim, but the captain of the watchmen said Jovinus needed to see this for himself. Emil the physician was well-regarded, but he was not all that worthy of note. Surely there was merely some mishap that led to the fire, though the physician's servant was being held on suspicion of having started the blaze.
When Jovinus' carriage arrived at the physician's house, the footman came around to help him out. The captain of the watchmen was waiting for him.
The captain saluted and said, "My apologies for bringing you all this way, my lord, but truly you must see what has happened here."
"It was a fire, was it not?" Jovinus replied.
"It is not so much the fire, my lord, as it is what the fire has revealed."
This piqued Jovinus' curiosity. So little did anymore.
"Very well then. Let's see it."
"Of course, my lord."
Fortunately, most of the house was made of stone, so it was not so dangerous enter. The interior was completely burned out. Scarcely anything recognizable remained.
"So what has the fire revealed, Captain?" Jovinus asked.
"It is not what is above but what is below, my lord," the captain said. "It would seem the late physician kept a workshop in the basement. This is where we believe the fire started."
"A workshop? What manner of workshop?"
"You must see it for yourself."
The captain led him to the basement, where a pair of watchmen were standing guard. The captain lit a taper to light the way as they descended into the physician's workshop. It truly was a sight unseen. Though ravaged by the fire, much of the evidence remained. So many bones and not just of humans either. Jovinus recognized the charred skulls of Forest Devils and Catmen as well. And though most of the jars were broken, a few survived the fire with their grim contents unscathed.
"This is quite the collection," Jovinus said.
"That... is certainly one way of putting it, my lord," the captain replied.
Jovinus walked over to a more recently burned body, the late physician, no doubt. In his arms were scraps of parchment he gave his life to save. Stooping down, Jovinus gingerly pulled out one of the parchment fragments. Though brittle and burned at the edges, much of it was still intact. He waved for the captain to come closer with the taper. It was a detailed drawing of a pointed ear, like that of a Child of the Forest, with indecipherable annotations.
"What is it, my lord?" the captain asked.
"It would seem our dearly departed physician was a rather grim sort of scholar," Jovinus said. "I have heard stories of the occasional physician who is not contented with the writings of Hippocrates and Galen and must explore the forbidden mysteries of the flesh. It would seem he chose the wrong victim this time."
There was something else, a lingering touch of power in the air. It was likely that this was no natural fire, but Jovinus could not reveal that, not to the captain, at least.
"What did the servant tell you?" he asked.
"Oh, he's a madman, my lord," the captain said, "raving about a knight and a tiger and girl bursting in and setting his master ablaze."
"Perhaps his master's work drove him to madness," Jovinus replied. "He set the fire and in his addled brain he concocted this fanciful story. Has he been taken to the goal?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Have him questioned until he confesses to his crime. Once he confesses, he is to be executed immediately. That is my judgment."
"I will inform the head gaoler, my lord."
Jovinus waved around him and said, "Take all of this, everything, including the physician's body, and take it outside of the city. Have a pit dug and burn everything a second time, then bury it and never speak of it again."
"But, my lord..."
"That is my judgment."
"Yes, my lord."
Jovinus motioned for the captain to lead him out of the basement. Though he would bury this incident, both literally and figuratively, there was more at work here. He would need to consult the others. It could be that an obstacle to their plans had presented itself.