The First Confessor Read Free Page B

Lothain was making the bold charge that she was simply sexual entertainment and nothing more—repeating what contemptible gossip took for granted—in at attempt to get her to admit that she was indeed more, and that she knew more, than would the mere attractive status symbol of an older man.
    Magda didn’t take the bait. She didn’t want to trust this man with anything she knew. Her instincts told her not to tell him what she knew about Baraccus’s journey to the Temple of the Winds.
    She felt tears begin to run down her cheek and drip off her chin.
    “Because he loved me,” she whispered.
    “Ah, yes, of course. Love.”
    Magda was not about to explain her relationship with Baraccus to this man. Prosecutor Lothain was too cynical to begin to understand what she and Baraccus had meant to each other. Lothain saw her the way so many men saw her, as an object of desire, not as a person, the way Baraccus had seen her.
    One of the council members, a man named Sadler, stepped forward, a scowl growing across his sagging, aged features.
    “If you have an important question, then please ask it. Otherwise I think you ought to leave the widow Searus to her grief.”
    “Very well.” Lothain clasped his hands behind his back. “What I would like to know, is if you are aware of any clandestine meetings that First Wizard Baraccus might have had?”
    Magda frowned at the prosecutor. “Clandestine meetings? What do you mean? What clandestine meetings? With whom?”
    “That’s what I’m asking you. Are you aware of any secret meetings he had with the enemy?”
    Magda could feel her face go red with rage. “Get out.”
    Her own voice surprised her with its calm power. He studied her eyes a moment, then turned to leave.
    “I do hope that First Wizard Baraccus was the hero so many think he was,” he said back over his shoulder, “and not involved in a conspiracy.”
    Taking long strides, Magda closed the distance to the man. “Are you accusing my husband of conspiring with the enemy?”
    He turned back at the door and smiled. “Of course not. I merely think it strange that the men Baraccus sent to the Temple of the Winds failed, and that he would then go himself on such a mission when the war burns hot and he is desperately needed here. After all, approaching enemy troops threaten our very existence. It seems a strange priority for him to take, don’t you think?
    “And even more curious, when he returned, he rushed to kill himself before anyone could so much as ask him if he made it into the Temple to repair the damage.”
    He held up a finger. “Oh, but wait. It just occurs to me that with the moon still red, he must not have gotten in or it would have returned to normal while he was still there.” His frown returned. “Or at least, if he did get in, he must not have repaired the damage. After all, had he done so, the red moons would have ceased. Now, as the red moon slowly wanes, apparently even the Temple has given up hope.”
    He was still fishing. Magda said nothing.
    His antagonistic smile returned. “You do see my point, I trust. Treason is an offense that can taint even the dead. And, of course, knowingly aiding a person committing treason is treason as well, and would cost such a person their lovely head.”
    He started away again, but then again turned back.
    “One last thing, Widow Searus. You will make yourself available to answer questions should I deem a formal investigation to be necessary.”
    Magda trembled with rage as she glared at the man’s smile. She didn’t give him the satisfaction of an answer before he finally turned and left.

Chapter 4
     
     
    After watching the door close, Councilman Sadler turned back to Magda. “I must apologize, Lady Searus.”
    “No need for you to apologize.” Magda arched an eyebrow. “Unless you support Lothain’s accusations against my husband?”
    Sadness softened his expression. “Baraccus was a good man. We all miss him. I fear that bitter sorrow over