Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (cont'd)

This door was open.

"Let's get that clean." Sara pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and wet it, then turned Gaius's face toward her. She chuckled at the mess of ink smeared across his cheek. "Gods, you look like you've been mining coal, dear."
"If only," Gaius said morosely. "There's no politics in coal mining."

Aleth glanced around once more, then rapped on the door twice. He only waited for a moment before he stuck his head into the room. He didn’t immediately see anyone so he stepped the rest of the way in the room and shut the door behind him. He took a moment to assess the room before he moved any more.

It was a large parlor meant for receiving guests. It was dark, unlit for the moment. A wide fireplace sat at the far end of the room, and three sofas were placed in the center. There were a couple end tables at the arms of the sofas.

Aleth gave his eyes a moment to adjust, then he strode towards the nearest end table. It was a long shot that Ash would keep anything of value in a room meant to entertain guests. But, then, he supposes the bastard probably had never had visitors. And even if he did, maybe it was a matter of hiding something in plain sight.

He intended to find out.

Gaius rose once his face was clean and bowed to his wife. "I'll speak to Emery; I'm sure he'll be more than happy to watch him for us."
"I saw him at the barracks," Sara said, standing as well. "You finish your letter; I'll go speak to him." Gaius dipped his head and eased himself back into his chair.

Aleth crouched down in front of the table and pulled out the drawer, looking for a false bottom or secret compartment.

There wasn't one, but there was a small book bound in treated leather.

Aleth made note of exactly the angle it was sitting at, then carefully picked it up and thumbed it open.

It was a logging of visits to the room with guests, containing dates and brief details about the meetings.

Aleth bit his lip, trying to think of what would be most helpful to search for.

He decided on flipping to the most recent entry then working his way backward to see if anything caught his attention from a quick read through.

The most recent entry detailed a brief meeting with Lord Bledroe. It simply read, "regard the war."

Aleth blew air through his nose, annoyed. He noted the date and then looked at the one behind it.

A meeting with one of his Counts, detailing supplies and the potential of some betrothals between lesser family members.

He supposed that made sense enough— Ash didn’t have any children old enough to marry off in hopes of supporting him in this war. But that meant this wasn’t particularly helpful information. There was no point in risking getting a message out if it wasn’t useful intel.

A few minutes later, Emery entered the Keep in search of his new charge. He was a short, wiry man of about twenty-five, with short red hair and a neatly pointed beard and mustache. He had intense hazel eyes and an angular face, and a very nonchalant air about him. He wore a form-fitting vest and robes that reached his ankles.