Bannerless (The Bannerless Saga 1)

“She wants to talk to you,” his father declared.

“I want to talk to you,” she repeated, more cheerfully. “Shouldn’t take long. Would you like a seat?”

He remained standing, Philos beside him, the two of them together like a wall.

Enid said, “Philos, would you mind leaving us alone for a bit?” She knew he very well would mind. Why was he so very protective of his son? Did Kirk need protecting? When Philos didn’t leave—when he clenched his fists at his sides like he was considering defying her—she wondered if she should have brought Tomas and his staff with her instead of leaving him to conduct the other interviews on their list.

But no, she stood her ground, kept her expression calm, and Philos ducked his gaze and left through the front door. Kirk still didn’t sit down, but Enid did. Just to throw him off.

She said, “I saw someone with Miran watching Sero’s pyre yesterday. Was that you?”

There was often that moment when someone hesitated, deciding whether to tell the truth or lie. Deciding which one would cause them less trouble.

“Yeah,” he said finally. He gave a decisive nod as if saying yes, this was the story he would settle on. “I was only there because she was. What’s your concern with her? She hasn’t done anything—”

“Never said she did. She’s a friend?”

“Yeah.”

“And why was she there?”

He shrugged, looked away. “I think she was just curious. I told her she should let it go. It’s kind of morbid, you know?”

“How well did you know Sero?” she asked next.

“I didn’t. I never spoke to him.”

“Never?”

“I had no reason to.”

Her turn to shrug. “You might have, if he’d ever done any work here or nearby. Pasadan isn’t that big of a village.”

He crossed his arms. “I never talked to him. I didn’t know him at all. I mean, apart from rumors. People talked about him. They say he was bannerless.”

“Yes, I know. He wasn’t, though. That’s just a rumor. Do you know if Miran talked to him?”

“Never. Why would she?”

“In fact, she did. He did some work for Sirius household. I understand she was his contact for that.”

He didn’t deny it this time, and he didn’t look surprised.

She said, “We’re trying to learn who the last people who saw Sero alive might have been. They might give us a better idea of what happened to him—”

“I heard he fell. He just fell.” Kirk picked at the seam on his trousers.

“Do you know anyone who might have been at his house before he died?”

“No, no—”

“What were you doing, oh, five days ago? Where were you that morning?”

“I’d have to think about it a minute.”

“Take your time.”

He did. He paced, just a short little arc around that end of the table. He kept glancing at her, presumably watching for signs of impatience. She didn’t show any, waiting calmly, still studying him like he was an interesting experiment.