Autumn's Final Dynasty

Gol-Gunzgir's local authorities found Baltukhasar burning documents in what remained of the caravanserai's main chamber. It was just past dawn. Sheriff Hu advanced through the carnage. Baltukhasar dropped more contracts, deeds, attestations, and similar materials into the fire.

"Destruction of criminal evidence is itself a crime," said Sheriff Hu.

Baltukhasar plucked a document out of the fire and tossed it toward the man.

"No judge in Gol-Gunzgir has the patience to review evidence," he said.

"Presumptuous!" said the Sheriff. "Though not wrong."

Baltukhasar pulled another document out of the fire. He declared it a forgery, and tossed it back in. Then he turned to a fresh stack of papers. One by one, he identified them as forgeries and dropped them on the flames. Sheriff Hu's men drew their weapons and circled the Circuit Chief.

"Regardless," said Hu, "Gol-Gunzgir is not in your jurisdiction."

"Sheriff Hu!" said Baltukhasar. "Good to see you! Have you identified all the dead?"

"Are you the one responsible for killing them?" asked the Sheriff.

"Right now I'm responsible for burning evidence," said Baltukhasar. "It would have been easier to burn the building. Maybe we should just do that."

He stuck a piece of broken furniture in the fire.

"Absolutely not!" said Hu. "What is this madness?"

"This madness is the sad end of the biggest smuggling cartel in the Aleph Basin."

"We're not in the Aleph Basin here."

"That was convenient for the biggest smuggling cartel in the Aleph Basin," said Baltukhasar. "You'll find a bunch of crates stuffed with contraband and stolen goods. Just confiscate it and sell everything at auction. Have you identified the dead, or do you need my help with that too?"

"There are too many," said Hu. "And they aren't pretty to look at."

Baltukhasar knocked the burning piece of furniture around in the fire and stood up. The circle of armed men stepped back nervously. Sheriff Hu waved for them to sheath their weapons. Baltukhasar walked around and examined bodies.

"The ones in here aren't so bad," he said.

"It's a lot worse outside," said Hu.

Baltukhasar pulled the dead broadsword wielder up by his hair.

"This one is not like the others," he said. "Who is he?"

Hu came closer. He looked at the body, then waved for his men to put it on the sturdiest table still standing. They went through his belongings. There wasn't much. But after a while, Hu wagged his finger. Yes, he knew the man.

"An intermediary for some lord back east," he said. "Is 'intermediary' the right word?"

"Yes," said Baltukhasar. "What was he here to intermediate on?"

"He wanted to set up a trading company," said Hu. "I suppose that won't be happening. Too bad. Gol-Gunzgir could have used the capital investment. Is that the right term?"

"Yes," said Baltukhasar. "Whose capital?"

"Some count," said one of Sheriff Hu's deputies. 

"Yes," agreed the Sheriff. "Yes, yes, that's right. This man was the son of an eastern count."

"An eastern count?" asked Baltukhasar.

"Yes," said Hu. "The Count of Ar… Ar…"

"Argu?" suggested his deputy. "Or maybe Ardu?"

"The Count of Arlu?" asked Baltukhasar.

The Sheriff and his deputy pointed in the affirmative.

"You know him?" asked Hu. 

"Arlu is a port on the Feng River Delta," said Baltukhasar. "It's famous for importing luxury goods from Warakirikobu and the Thousand Priestly Kingdoms. The Count has plenty of capital. Also plenty of sons. Most are illegitimate. Setting up shop in Gol-Gunzgir early, while the town was growing, would allow him to exert influence over both ends of the Feng River. The Count of Arlu is a forward thinker. In contrast, our nobility is hiding in Kadar-Jormu – and trying to sell our province out from under us."

"Circuit Chief," said Sheriff Hu. "We've always been a backwater. Even when the giants ruled."

"Not true," said Baltukhasar.

"Circuit Chief, it's true," said Hu. "Those terraces were for farming."

"The terraces were for farming," agreed Baltukhasar, "But the mountains behind them are another matter. When the forward thinkers back east realize that, we'll really be in trouble."

"Did you kill these people in a vain attempt to stop the inevitable?" asked Hu.

"So much carnage," said Baltukhasar. "It couldn't have been one person."

"There was also a stampede," said Hu.

"There was," agreed Baltukhasar. "But I think… that with this revelation the Count of Arlu is trying to lock up the Feng River, there must have been a big political actor involved."

"Who could it have been?" asked Hu, feigning breathlessness.

"The Northwest Territory is caught between Western and Northern Dukes," said Baltukhasar. "Now a vassal of Eastern Duke enters the mix. The other dukes would have to respond. Wouldn't they?"

"Yes," said Hu. "Of course they would."

"Ah!" said the star deputy. "We found something that might be related!"

He produced a weapon and handed it to Baltukhasar.

"A hard whip," said the Circuit Chief. "Superior craftsmanship. Where did you find it?"

"In one of the residences destroyed by the stampede," said the deputy.

Baltukhasar struck his palm with the weapon, then slapped the deputy on his shoulder.

"Well done," he said. "Well done!"

The young deputy glowed with pride.

"This suggests an inquiry to Bian Peak Abbey is warranted," said Baltukhasar.

"No," said Hu. "No, no, no!"

"Don't worry."

"Circuit Chief," said Hu, "all I do is worry. Those monks are crazy."

"The craziest of the Sacred Mountain Conclave," said Baltukhasar, "and that's saying something, given that we've got Jian Peak up this river. But a tragedy has befallen Gol-Gunzgir. Circumstances make it difficult to identify all victims. This weapon was recovered from a residence. Its craftsmanship is much too high to be locally produced. It is most likely a relic of Bian Peak Abbey. If the Abbey would like to examine the weapon, or even the site of the tragedy, you would be happy to oblige."

"Maybe," said Hu. "Maybe that would work. What about the bodies?"

"Too many," agreed Baltukhasar. "Gol-Gunzgir does not have the facilities to store them."

"We don't!" agreed Hu. "And it's still summer. There will be flies and diseases."

"Do what I suggested," said Baltukhasar. "Burn them."

"Yes," agreed Hu. "Yes, you're right. That's the best option."

"No," said Baltukhasar. "It is the only option which can protect public health. Gol-Gunzgir is fast becoming a major economic hub. We can't have an outbreak of any kind. Not here."

"No," said Hu. "No, no, no! Not here!"

Baltukhasar smiled. Sheriff Hu's bumpkin act was impeccable. The Earl of Kadar-Jormu would be enraged about the fortune he lost. He would also be irritated that one of his daughters died. But the Earl couldn't get rid of Hu. A bumpkin sheriff was the only kind of sheriff he could have watching Gol-Gunzgir.

Fish don't play in clean water.