228. Dominance: Tabitha.

We split up in the morning to find out what was happening. Ruku and I would hit the Army Base. I was going all official as Countess Auditor. We discussed it, and I should be able to command the army at my back. Word will get to the Duke that I was in town, and that should rattle his cage, and I can pretend to investigate the recent security lapse. I wanted Mayakku with us, mainly for Cōmpēṟi, as not much would threaten the three of us. Mayakku was safest with Cōmpēṟi and us. I would prefer to have let Mayakku return to the camp, but Cōmpēṟi would be significantly less effective. A monster lion has a presence only matched by a Dire Bear. Or a massive Venom Serpent.

Ruku suggested we take Kelda as well. Astrid and Runa would get sized for the shields. Then, they would shop for supplies so we could get out of there in a hurry if required. I am expecting pushback. This attack is the perfect excuse to shake things up.

When I am being official, I want a look of rich and dangerous. I don’t know how many rumours have reached here yet, but I need them to think twice about messing with me. Ruku has the role of a tough military guard and has been that for forty-odd years.

There was only a small army presence in Skog. It was like Jern, basically a recruiting post. The big army base was only two weeks' march away in Waiouru. One Captain, two Lieutenants and two ten-person squads under each Lieutenant. Less than fifty soldiers and some support staff. I can imagine Skog being a punishment posting.

We were heading to the Army compound on foot when a little birdie whispered in Kelda’s ear. I looked at Kelda as she had Liten watching the Duke.

“The Duke is on his way to the army compound,” she said.

If I delayed a few minutes, I could catch the two together. We paused at a cafe and got Cōmpēṟi out of sight. I ordered some tea, and we sat and watched the Duke and his guards ride past a few minutes later. We finished our tea.

We approached the entrance to the Army compound, and two Privates were on gate duty. I could see most of the Duke's guards milling around in the marshalling yard. I counted eight, so he had two with him.

“Identification and reason for visiting, please,” said one of the Privates.

I handed over my identification, “Skygge, Countess Auditor, here to see the captain.”

Both Privates straightened up, “Ah… Yes ma’am! I will get the Corporal, ma’am.”

“Sure, you do that, and I will just head on in,” and I started walking toward the largest building with all the Duke’s guards in front. The Private ran off to the side, I assume to get the Corporal. The other Private half-heartedly tried to make me wait, and I just ignored him.

The Duke’s guards looked at me approaching and gathered in a semi-circle.

“No one is to enter; the Duke is busy with the Captian.” one of them said.

“I know.” I held up my ID, “I am Skygge, the Countess Auditor. If you obstruct me, what is left of you will spend the rest of your life in the mines.” I projected mild Intimidation, and Cōmpēṟi growled on cue. They parted without further comment. I guess the bosses were inside with the Duke.

I entered, and in front of me was a desk with a corporal. In the waiting area to the side were the remaining two guards. I could hear the Duke in full rant from the conference room behind the corporal. He rose to his feet, and then Cōmpēṟi squeezed in the door behind me, and everybody stood up.

I interrupted the Corporal and flashed my ID, “I know, the Duke is in there. I am the Countess Auditor, and I will go straight in. Cōmpēṟi will stay here to make sure we are not disturbed.”

Cōmpēṟi jumped so his two front paws were on the Corporal’s desk, and he looked down at the standing Corporal. Then he looked over to the Duke's two guards, and they froze in place. Ruku, Mayakku and Kelda followed me into the conference room.

The Duke was still in full swing when I entered.

“...and what is the army going to do to protect us from the next beast attack? That is the third this month! Where the hell were you….” I crash open the door. “Who the hell are you? Get the fuck out of here, or I will bury you so deep you will never see the light of day again!”

“Skygge. Countess Auditor on assignment from King Thorbjørn.” That shut him up. Briefly.

“I hope you have bloody come here to help. Otherwise, you can just fuck off back to the king because I am sick of being left with no support and being blamed for everything in this shit hole.”

“Of course, I am here to help.” I could see the Captain was not happy. If the Duke thought he was abandoned, a lowly captain would feel it worse, especially with the duke piling it on him. “This is the third in a month?”

“Unsettling the citizens it is, They can’t sleep. They don’t feel safe. My guard is stretched, and now I have more wounded. The Army is no bloody use, and no help is coming from Waiouru.”

“I have notified the Major in Waiouru,” The Captian butted in,” by courier, post and emergency Runes. We need to wait for a reply.”

“It is only two bloody weeks away, less by courier. Reinforcements should have been here by now! Did you come from Waiouru?” the Duke swung toward me, “Did they send you instead of a bloody company of troops?” his tone made it very clear which he preferred, and it wasn’t me.

“No, we came from the coast. But we are here now and can sort this small problem.”

“Small problem!” The Duke's tone was a mix of disbelief and disgust at my attitude. “I have beasts invading my city, civil unrest, and to top it all off, there was an assassination last night!”

“Assassination?”

“One of our prominent Avion citizens was brought down by an arrow while trying to escape the beasts. The arrow is quite unique, with a snake poison on it. We are now hunting the killer. They probably thought they would get away with it in the confusion.”

“And you know this how?” I asked.

“My senior guardsman reported it, of course,” his tone indicated this was obvious, and I shouldn’t be asking such obvious things.

“I observed this assassination. I saw the Avion fall, and your guardsmen collected the body. If you compare the identification of the avion with the wanted to be noticed on the board on the outside of this compound, you will find your upstanding citizen is a wanted criminal with a bounty.” I looked at the Captain, “I will be claiming that bounty on behalf of my Knight who brought down the criminal.” I turned back to the Duke, “It seems like you have been fed misinformation.”

“I will need proof of the criminal and the killer,” the Captain said.

“The Duke can make the body available. If they don’t, I will suspect a larger coverup operation is happening. When you have verified the body, come and see me.”

The Duke did not look pleased.

I kept going while I had momentum, and the Duke was off balance. “As Countess Auditor, I am hereby taking temporary command of the Kirghiz Forces in this city at this time of crisis. Knight Ruku will oversee military operations, and you will report to him, Captain.”

Now, it was the Captian’s turn not to be pleased. “I must protest. I don’t think a civilian will be effective commanding military forces.”

“Protest all you like, but it is still happening. I have also been remiss in my introductions here. This is Ruku, Knight of the Auditor, formally Major Ruku of the Royal Marine Commandos from Obalno.”

Ruku nodded to him, “Captian,” he said in greeting.

The Captian straightened up, although he was still displeased.

“The Duke can escort me back to the City Administration building. I wish to review the construction and maintenance records, the City guard reports and the city accounts.” The Duke started to gather himself to protest, but I cut him off. He wasn’t used to being cut off. “The Wall enchantments should have been more effective than they were. The gate should not have been able to be opened. We will be inspecting both of those, including the guards who were supposed to be on duty.”

Ruku spoke up before anyone else could get a word in, “And you, Captain, will call an immediate inspection of the troops, and we will be inspecting the armoury as well as the emergency supply depots and communication systems.” Ruku turned to me, “Please leave Mayakku here as a consultant at this time.”

I nodded. I was planning to have her accompany me to inspect the wall enchantments, and I had no idea why Ruku wanted her. I wasn’t going to argue here. He will have his reasons. “I turned to the door and indicated with my hand, “Duke Boris, if you would. I have summoned my mount.”

Duke Boris was not used to being pushed around. Years of people scraping and crawling toward him meant I had him off balance, but he would come back with a vengeance. For now, he went out the door and suddenly stopped at the sight of Cōmpēṟi sitting in the reception area, licking a paw and watching the three people.

His two guards rose to their feet and bowed. The Duke scowled at them but didn’t say anything apart from, “We are heading back to the Admin centre.”

Kelda followed me out, but I noticed her touch the lantern on the wall of the conference room and again the lantern in the reception area. She was replacing the flame with her spiritual fire so she could keep watch. There may be hope for her yet. Cōmpēṟi backed off, letting us out of the building.

Outside, the head guard organised the others to get their horses, and one of them brought the Duke’s horse over to him. He mounted and was about to say something when everybody's attention was drawn to the gate as a horse screamed a challenge. Dusk appeared and leapt over the half gate into the compound. The Duke's guards scattered out of her way as she came to a stop and reared to full height, letting loose another challenging scream. Several of the Guard's horses reared and tried to break away but were quickly brought under control. Dusk was announcing her dominance in no uncertain terms. She looked utterly wild with no bridle or saddle. Then she turned to me and pranced over. I grabbed her mane and jump-mounted her, then reached down to Kelda. She grabbed my arm, and I swung her up behind me. We towered over all the others as I looked around and said, “Is everybody ready?”