“I don’t know how that man is involved,” Hallidor says in response to the questions he is receiving, “as for who it is – his name is Tryggvi. He lives in a town near Rangarata, and works as a trader of some sort; I’ve seen him ferrying boats up and down the Dettikyll river on occasion.
I honestly don’t know why he cares so much about what I am doing – him and ‘The Conclave.’ Nor do I know anything of 'The Conclave' except stories told from legend.
My story is quite simple, really.
My sister, Hallidora, died two weeks ago. She was betrothed to Sindri, a fine man and a good friend of mine. She was very happy… at least, I always thought she was happy. She never gave any indication of anything else… and then we went to bed and the next morning, and she was gone, cold, taken away somehow…
Some people speak of suicide. They speak of secrets, secrets so horrible it caused Hallidora to take her own life – which I don’t for a second believe. Hallidora loved life. There was nobody as full of energy as she was. When she entered a room – the room brightened. And when she left a room, a cloud passed over the face of the sun. She was, as far as I can tell, universally loved. And now she is dead.
We buried her a week ago. Everyone in our town, and most of the people from the surrounding community, were present. Conspicuously absent was Krafla – something I found odd at the time. Krafla was a great admirer of Hallidora, and even asked her to marry him I believe. Yet, the next day, when I attempted to find Krafla, he was gone. Or rather, he was never around when I was around. I don’t know what to make of that.
But what I ask of you is this: prove to me that Hallidora’s death was as they say a fluke, an aberration. Or that it was not, that something else (or someone else) was involved. Anything is better than not knowing, or worse yet: suspecting the most shameful possibility: self-murder. No. I can’t see Hallidora ever stooping to that… never…
I must warn you, however. Apparently, there are more forces arrayed against us than I initially suspected. If you wish to bow out, do so now. I do not want your blood on my hands, should things turn ill. I want everyone to understand that any journey with me might lead to death.
That understood -- who is still interested? If so, step forward, and take your 50 gold...
I feel the need to return to Rangarata as quickly as possible. I don't know if something is going on back there. I hope my family is safe...
I will be leaving in an hour... leaving from the door of the Red Dragon..."