"In fact, we only just informed Ser Lucian about the Blackfyre treasure," Granson added.
"Apologies, ser. My deepest apologies." Foster looked thoroughly chastened.
"You've lost someone dear—I understand profoundly. Any outbursts or suspicions are forgiven."
"Thank you for your understanding, ser."
"But if you truly wish to avenge your father, sit now and help me uncover the truth."
"The truth? You said this room belonged to a Grafton knight! He's the killer, no?" Foster pressed.
"House Grafton of Gulltown in the Vale... can you think of any connection to your father?"
"Uh..." Foster pondered, then shook his head. "No."
"Then that lead goes cold. The killer could be a former Grafton sworn knight who kept his armor after release. Or some hedge knight who looted or bought it—sigils on armor mean little. Unlike ancestral swords, nobles rarely care who wears their house's steel plates."
"My mistake. Ask away—I'll hold nothing back."
Ian nodded approvingly before beginning: "Why did Black Hawk come here yesterday?"
"He didn't say. Father was decisive—we rarely questioned his orders."
"So you don't know whom he came to meet?"
"No."
"Did he usually room alone?"
"No! Father lived simply, bunking with the men. When he took a private room yesterday, I found it odd." Foster frowned in recollection.
"You didn't ask why?"
"I didn't dare, ser."
"Before meeting the killer last night, he didn't wake any of you?"
"No. Pate's a light sleeper." Foster pointed to a youth behind him. "He'd have woken if Father entered."
"So despite bringing so many, Black Hawk chose to meet the killer alone? Yet he distrusted them—he wore full armor."
"That was his finest set," Foster confirmed.
"Meaning this meeting involved secrets—ones he didn't want even his own men to know. Though he might've told you, his foster son?"
"He treated me as blood! But... he shared no secrets!"
"Think carefully."
Foster gulped summerwine, then wrestled with his memories until frustration overtook him. He slammed the table, shaking his head violently.
"I don't know! I can't remember! Maybe he did say something, but I didn't—" His voice broke into sobs. "I'm worthless! I can't—*aargh!*" A primal scream released his anguish.
"Tears heal, but self-blame won't serve. Your father's dead—you're no longer the eaglet under his wing. You must *become* the new Black Hawk." Ian suppressed his impatience. *What an excellent therapist I am.*
"The new Black Hawk? The company's already taken! Most 'friends' just tolerated me for Father's sake. At best, I'm third in line behind 'Limp' and Ser Harrison."
"But you can avenge him. That's step one." *Another bloody "ser"—I can't keep track anymore.*
"I can't even remember what Father might've told me!"
"That's why I'll help. Just share what you know—I'll handle the rest."
"What I know? About the treasure? So that *is* your goal?!"
*Too sharp for comfort.* "Would you believe me if I denied it?"
Foster shook his head.
"Then does it matter? Will you still accept my help for vengeance?"
Foster hesitated, then nodded reluctantly.
"Then why dwell on it? Black Hawk's murder likely ties to the treasure. With him gone and you powerless to claim it, what harm if I try? Surely you'd rather his killers fail?"
"You're... brutally honest. Forgive my pettiness, ser. If you'll help me, I'll share everything. Where should I start? What do you already know?"
"Virtually nothing." Ian shrugged. "So begin at the beginning." *I've got time.*
"I don't know what's relevant... Should I just narrate? You interrupt if something seems important?"
"Proceed."
"It started... well, *we* were the first to clash with the Ghosts of Whitewalls." Foster frowned in thought.
Ian shot Granson a skeptical look—the knight had claimed Ser Wylde first encountered them. Granson shook his head, equally confused.
"Though we didn't realize it was an organized band then," Foster continued obliviously. "Four months back, a merchant train came to Ser Harrison's castle—our company's base, fifteen leagues northeast of Whitewalls' ruins, near the Kingsroad."
*Alright, let's call this one "Landlord Knight,"* Ian mused.
**(End of Chapter)**