Lord's Residence, conference room.
The bloody smell lingering after the battle had followed Ola and Barrett here, seeping from the gaps in their armor.
Barrett took out a heavy purse and tipped out its contents.
Clatter.
Dozens of coins rolled out, ten Gold Suns gleaming among them.
Barrett laid out all his suspicions.
Veylin picked up a Gold Sun and rubbed it between his fingertips.
"Ola."
Veylin spoke suddenly.
"Yes, my lord!"
"What sort of person do you think would use Gold Suns to hire a two-bit bandit like Pike?"
Ola froze for a moment, then answered instinctively, "Obviously... uh, a more powerful bandit?"
"No."
Veylin shook his head and tossed the Gold Sun back onto the table with a crisp clink.
"Bandits prefer to trade in untraceable jewels, magical beast materials, or simply barter goods."
"Only one kind of person habitually pays with standard gold coins without caring about exposing themselves."
He looked at Barrett.
Barrett's face had already darkened considerably. He had clearly reached the same conclusion.
"A noble."
Barrett ground the word out through clenched teeth.
Funding a band of outlaws on the borders of the Gray Marsh Fief to disrupt its trade and production.
The purpose was obvious.
"Which bastard was it? I'll twist their head off!"
Ola's fury flared instantly, a hand reaching for the axe handle.
"It's too early to draw conclusions."
Veylin stood and walked over to the map.
His finger passed over several neighboring fiefs west of the Gray Marsh Fief.
"It could be a neighbor jealous of our growth, or someone who doesn't want to see the Gray Marsh Fief rise."
"Leave this matter to me. Ola, keep searching for the remnants of Blackwater Camp."
"Yes, my lord!" Ola accepted the order at once.
The third basement level of the