Role

Chapter 12

So Hathuld is alive after all. Maybe? Athald isn't sure how to feel.
He had more or less made his peace, years ago, with his brother's betrayal
and probable demise. To find out at this late date that he is still alive
is...confusing. Old feelings of anger and loss, long put to rest, have
begun to surface anew.

But is it even true? He has reason to doubt. The gray one he employed to
extract information from the Empire on his behalf, Merthoc, has provided
him with an Imperial decree naming Hathuld anathema for stealing and for
the possession and use of "illicit substances". The question in his mind
now is whether the document is authentic or a forgery of Merthoc's design.
Two things cast doubt in his mind:

The first is Zanzar's reaction when questioned. Without telling him the
details of the decree, Athald asked what his brother's crimes were. The
Emperor's response was "spying". Athald now sees two possibilities. One
is that the decree is fake, the Emperor has no idea who Hathuld is, and he
made up the story about espionage charges. The other is that Hathuld was
indeed spying, the decree is authentic, but the Empire chose to publicize
the crime of "illicit substances" rather than lose face by admitting the
existence of a spy in its midst.

The second cause for doubt is the Herald called Lyeeth, who reached out to
inform him that Merthoc cannot be trusted. Lyeeth claims to have heard
Merthoc utter the words: "I haven't yet decided whether to betray Athald."
On the other hand, Lyeeth has proved unreliable and highly "dramatic" in
the past, and this report re: Merthoc might be an outright lie, or, if not
a lie, a twisting of the truth.

Athald is not sure what to think, and sees no straightforward way to
discern the truth without divine guidance. To that end, he intends to
consult with his patron, Baerinika. If she cannot divine the truth of the
matter, then he will petition her for permission to seek out the divine
Seeress, Rarywey, in the hopes that her ear has detected some whispering
in the spirit realm that might clarify his situation.