Obey Your Captain

He had to force himself away, force himself backwards away from the babe. “Soon.” It was almost said as a prayer.

“Baron?” Jeremiah asked in concern.

“Leave her to her thoughts a moment. To trap her now would only lead to fire.”

“Understood.”

“May I look at these papers?” the old fae asked.

“Of course.”

“I may not have elven eyes, but I can see well.” He grasped the parchment lightly in his hands, bringing it up to eye level, turning it this way and that, sometimes into the sunlight then bringing it away, inspecting. “The signature appears to be Young Miss Warren. I recognise the slope of her hand from her time schooling under me.”

“I don’t think she disputes that’s her hand. Are there ways to change a document after someone has signed?”

“If it were not a magical binding signature. Of course. The easiest would be, to add to the document. There are ways by magic to change words-” he quickly cast the same spell Kaliyah had. “But there is no magic on these pages.”

“Is there another way?”

“If you were to find the hand that wrote the scrawl. I would be able to watch his memories. It is a spell that has to be on a willing party, however. Forced, the memories can be corrupted and untrue.”

“I have people looking for who drafted these papers. I am also asking for the man who signed off the debt owed.”

“You are?” Baron asked.

“Yes. I had no knowledge the Warrens were in any debt to me. I looked over those who held debt to the city when I took over, the Warrens were not named on that ledger.”

“You think the debt was fabricated?”

“No. I don’t see why that would be the case. I have to make my inquiries.”

“Very well. We do not have much time, Jeremiah. I wish for this matter to be resolved before I take on the Warren women. They will be under my care, I don’t take kindly to any blights on my name.”

“I do understand Baron, I don’t like this either. I promise, I will do everything I can to ensure what happened is transparent.”

“I will help in any way I can, my Lord. I like the Warren girl, I’m glad there’s someone to ensure she doesn’t come to harm.” The High Mage gave a bowing nod to Baron.

“She’s mine.”

“I’m glad you have found someone, old friend. Do you wish to accompany me in finding some of the guards that may have some information?”

“I’ll do anything I can to help,” Baron swore, he would. He would do anything for his Pouco.