"You're worried about retaliation?" Ian grasped his concern.
"Exactly. Among your targets are hedge knights. In open battle, mercenaries attacking knights is one thing. But what you're asking? If we're right, it's an arrest. If wrong? *Kidnapping*."
"Abducting a knight unprovoked is a challenge to the entire nobility. Release a wrongfully taken man, and while *you* may be safe, we won't be. Once he complains to his liege lord, even if I escape punishment as your squire, my men will face annihilation."
"So you want to silence all mistakes?" Ian's eyelids twitched—Denzel's gaze confirmed it.
"You read minds, ser." Denzel bowed slightly.
"No." Ian instinctively refused.
"Of course, of course! You're an anointed knight—the Father's envoy on earth. Such wickedness is beneath you. We'd act on our own—"
"Enough!" Ian cut him off. This wasn't his intent.
Killing players? No qualms.
But innocent travelers?
Ian could imagine how many false captures would occur once this net spread.
Slaughter them all? He shook his head. That wasn't his goal.
Perhaps the plan could be refined?
He dismissed the thought instantly.
Denzel had highlighted an inescapable flaw.
If he forbade silencing mistakes, no mercenary would serve him.
Sellswords fought for gold—not suicide.
Thus, eliminating all captives was the plan's necessary evil.
"I'll only take my targets," Ian exhaled sharply. "Mistakes are *your* affair. Handle them as you see fit."
For now, he saw no alternative. He wouldn't abandon his hunt to feign righteousness.
Players later waged wars with tens of thousands of casualties—what were a few dozen in comparison?
"Understood, ser." Denzel recognized tacit permission.
"Now, the second group." Ian turned to Bawdy. "You and Spike's remaining men answer to me, stationed here."
"Targets entering the inn may probe others' identities. Watch for such behavior. I'll often be in the hall observing too. Also—" Inspiration struck.
"Pick someone presentable from your ranks. Outfit him identically to the hedge knight I described, seated alone drinking."
"If approached, have Martha drug his wine—"
"*Drug*?" Martha blinked.
"Sedatives."
"What?"
"Something to knock him out."
"Seven hells! Where would I get *that*?"
"...My mistake." *Too much wuxia fiction.* Ian pinched his nose. "Anything to give him the runs?"
"Not that either... but there's a mushroom in the woods behind us. Causes weakness, even hallucinations."
*Red cap, white stem, eat it and meet the Stranger?*
"Use that then. Just incapacitate him for discreet removal. If anyone attacks our decoy, 'subdue' him under the guise of keeping peace—then deliver him to me."
"With all tasks assigned, who'll aid your Blackfyre hunt? Will you summon House Lannister?" Denzel sounded disappointed—that would exclude them from the treasure.
"Have you *seen* this treasure? Any proof it exists? What would I tell my family?" Ian deflected sharply to mask his inability to call reinforcements.
"My curiosity about the treasure doesn't outweigh my mission. Clear?"
"Apologies, ser. I overstepped." Denzel's quick deference surprised Ian—this Dornishman had clearly been humbled hard. The proud Dornish had once shot down Aegon the Conqueror's sister-dragon with scorpion bolts rather than kneel.
"Next steps: Granson and Denzel, each pick a man to accompany Kess procuring arms—armor, weapons, horses." Ian considered ordering plate armor for himself but dismissed it—proper fitting was essential.
"Until their return, we'll only monitor the inn." *The real prize is here anyway.* "Denzel, get Bawdy started. Oh, and help Martha clean the hall."
"Yes, ser." Denzel departed.
"Now—the Blackfyre treasure. Granson, share *everything* you know."
"Truthfully, very little. Morgan stationed me here posing as an unaffiliated sellsword to attract treasure hunters—his eyes and ears."
"Why did Black Hawk come here yesterday?"
"He didn't say. We maintained distance publicly. His foster son Dorian might know... though Dorian's likely single-mindedly focused on vengeance now. He won't hire on."
"Who said anything about hiring? There are *better* ways to make him talk."
"I don't follow."
"If we investigate Black Hawk's death and avenge him, wouldn't he *gladly* share all he knows?"
**Footnote:**
1. *The Father*: One of the Seven, representing judgment. Depicted as a bearded man holding scales.
**(End of Chapter)**