>>5716451no jackpot today, anon---
“We found the shrine without too much difficulty - some of the men had seen it in their past patrols along the stream and could guide us there promptly. It had been dislodged, and broken into fragments against the river stones.” Argyros recites dispassionately, his weathered face tanned by the summer days out in the countryside. “The spearmen demanded revenge, and wished to burn the fragments of the altar, but the wood had been soaking in riverwater and would not catch alight - instead, they shattered the fragments into smaller pieces and cast them into the water. I didn’t have the heart to stop them, and with the river daimon gone - there seemed to be no danger in it.”
“I set them in teams of five and six, and against the stream on both sides, they searched. The water of the stream is clearer now, and so we found it easy to scour the streambed as we went. On the first day, we searched many plethrons of reeds and shallow waters, but found none of the bodies. By noon of the second day - we found Iudas and six of the drowned spearmen, in the same twisting bend of the stream.” Argyros does not provide further detail here - perhaps he wishes to spare you the image of Iudas tangled amongst the reeds or caught against some river boulder. Nonetheless, you're heartened to learn that the stream water has cleared - to you, this is proof that the stream is safe to approach by your staff for their laundry and other such tasks. Argyros continues:
“Some of the spearmen must have lived - perhaps all four who are unaccounted for - we found tracks on the far side of the stream, the prints of men staggering away into the fields.” Argyros shakes his head knowingly - “they are deserters now, but hardly worth the effort to chase down. We may catch them with our patrols over time if they turn to banditry, or they may fall into service of another household - it matters not.”
“What of Pantaleon?” you ask him.
“He…” Argyros pauses, eyes clouded with uncertainty. “I saw no sign of him, or trail along the streambanks that he might have made… but some of the drowned spearmen had been wearing necklaces, carrying trinkets - these were missing, hide strings having been cut. Perhaps they were taken by the surviving spearmen, but…” Argyros shakes his head.
“He is a man born of the wild, Lady - a true Epirot if I’ve ever seen one. He would only be seen if he wishes to be seen. We lit many campfires on the first night of our search, and if he was close by, he did not reveal himself.”
Argyros’ pale blue eyes find your own, head tilted up to meet your gaze.
“He swore oaths to your brother, Lady - but not to you. He may have… reconsidered his service to the house of Hippomedon.” The same thought had occurred to you - had you had deluded yourself that you had connected with the bearlike Epirot?
<span class="mu-i">Nothing to be done about it today</span>, you think.
>more coming 