Hesht is Interviewed

"I am the davar of this region," he told Hesht. "I am investigating the death of the man Magog, which I believe you witnessed. I should like to ask you a few questions, if you feel well enough."

"I will answer your q-questions, Agha Davar."

"Thank you. I have already talked to the dead man's companion, Gog, and to your own companion, Astra. I have also interviewed Jegar the toll collector, and so I have at second hand the account of the affair that you gave him. You will be aware, of course, that to lie to a davar investigating a possible crime is itself a criminal offence, so you would be well advised to answer my questions truthfully. I will not hold it against you if that means that your story differs from that which you gave Jegar."

"I c-can't remember now very c-clearly just what I told J-jegar. It all seems v-very blurry. But I would have had n-no reason to lie to him. H- how is Astra?"

"She is in the White Hospital, across the border in Yepenhan." It might help for Hesht to know that. If he thought that Astra was beyond Hespan jurisdiction then it might encourage him to answer more fully and more honestly.

"Jegar did what I asked, then. He is a g-good man."

The davar went on: "Her most serious injury was to the tendon in one heel, which was almost completely severed. There is a good chance that it will heal completely given time, I'm told, but she will be in plaster for several weeks."

"P-poor Astra. She won't like that, I think. C-can I go and see her?"

"Assuming that I can satisfy myself that you are not guilty of any crime, then yes, once you are well enough." Now was not the time to mention that he suspected Hesht of illegal duelling.

He continued: "How did you and she come to be companions on the road? From what I have learnt, you are employed as a courier but she is not." He had Astra's own account of how she came to be with Hesht, of course, and that part of her story sounded plausible enough. Getting Hesht's account and comparing it with hers would help to establish whether he could be relied on as a witness, though.

"What has Astra t-told you?"

"I will not tell you that, at least not yet. If she has told me a false story, then it would make it easy for you to say the same thing. However you would be well advised to assume that she has told me the truth, as I am sure she has, and to do the same yourself."

"Yes, Agha Davar. Astra was staying at Golabi when I f-first m- met her. She w-wanted to go west, and I had a j-job that would take me in that direction, s-so I offered to act as her g-guide."

"What did she tell you about herself during your time together?"

1. Hesht answers fully and truthfully, including that Astra had told him that she was a swordsmistress back home. That of course made her account that she had challenged Gog to a duel far more plausible.
2. Hesht tries to protect Astra by saying as little as possible.

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