Jagrin Grath's page

"No, ma'am!" Jagrin Grath barks immediately.

The rest of the Patrol members on the away team look pleased and excited at the prospect of having the famed Halgra Blackblade fighting at their side. Sara Morninghawk and Agrit Staginsdar look alarmed.

At a glance from the Chief Defender, Jagrin Grath gets to his feet and passes over a folded piece of parchment to the priest. "You'll find Sara Morninghawk's name on there," he says gruffly. "I don't advise taking an aggressive tone with her. She's given Daktani some work from time to time and might know where he could be found."

The other names on the list are Urnsul, Katrezra, Melira, and Othdan. In addition to the smithy Clamor, Daktani is also known to have done odd jobs on occasion at The Killin' Ground and for Gorkis Meeson at That 'N' Such.

"I can give you the names of some of his known associates," the Patrol Captain offers, "and places he may be holed up."

"Ma'am, with your permission, I can take charge of finding Daktani," Jagrin tries again.

"But, ma'am...," he begins to argue.

"I'll get right on it, ma'am," Jagrin interrupts, pushing back his chair and getting halfway to his feet.

"Daktani." Jagrin Grath's fingers curl into a fist as he speaks the name. "His record speaks against him ... but I'll not condemn a man on the word of a troll."

Jagrin runs a hand over his face wearily. "That's a lot more work and forethought than I'd expect from the local orc tribes."

Rodrick subtly flinches at Marikel's mention of Brinya Kelver's name.

"Miss Kelver?" Jagrin frowns. "What does the schoolmarm have to do with this?"

Jagrin Grath reacts visibly to the name Daktani, looking startled and shooting a glance at the Chief Defender.

"Now, wait just a minute," he puts in when Banny has finished her revelation, "if there was a tussle with a flood troll on the cliff behind the Longhouse, Inger Redhill would have seen it. She said it was one figure, who jumped."

"We already knew the evidence suggested we were looking at a jumper. Can either of you think of a reason why Kerst may have taken such a drastic action? A quarrel, a romantic setback, any recent unhappiness?"

Jagrin Grath clears his throat. "I had to have some words with him last night. There was a bit of a ruckus with the ladies of the town, and I'm sorry to say Kerst was involved. Not showing proper respect."

"Would you like us to take him to the sanctuary? For now? We can look after him, until you're ready."

The Patrol Captain stiffens as Marikel touches him, stopping in his tracks. "I thank you for your concern, padre," he answers deliberately, without actually meeting the other man's eyes, "but Trunau takes care of its own." His refusal delivered, he continues into the Longhouse, his back straight and pace deliberate, not looking back at the cart carrying his son's body.

"Right," the Patrol Leader snaps immediately. "Ready, all? One, two, three, pull."

The Grath brothers are surprised by the combined strength of Banny and Marikel, and Ruby's side takes the first steps backward. Having gauged the opposition, however, they continue pulling steadily and reverse the momentum, pulling Ruby's team back to their starting position and then closer to the center line painted on the stage.