Runestone: Joanna's Chambers 599

[Marie]

"Did it look like the poor woman struggled before she met her death?"

[The Smith]

Nan shook her head, "Nope died in her sleep I think."

[Marie]

Joanna nodded as she thought.

"Alright. Did you know the septa at all, Nan?"

[The Smith]

Nana shook her head, "She is one of the outlanders."

[Marie]

After a moment's thought, Joanna said "Alright, Nan, you may go. You too, Calla. I expect you'll want to do your grieving in peace after this awful shock."

She turned to Milo once the two had gone.

"What do you think?"

"I

[The Smith]

Milo shrugged, "Opportunity is going to be a bitch. Any one could access those quarters in that time period. I think motive is the way to proceed, who wants her dead is a good place to start."

[Marie]

"I'm sure you're right but why would anyone want a septa dead? You heard Calla, the woman had a good nature. A woman like that shouldn't have any enemies, especially not one sworn to poverty and chastity."

Joanna paused and thuoght about it.

"Unless...perhaps she was not so devout and dutiful as might be hoped? Could that be the motive for a killer?"

[The Smith]

"Perhaps she was a spy placed in Daeron's house. Perhaps in her last assignment she used to beat her kids. Perhaps she was sleeping with a lord or lady and their spouse discovered the affair." Milo asked.

[Marie]

After brief consideration Joanna said "Please find out which households she has served before Daeron's. I''ll want to speak to the lords and ladies concerned. As to whether she was a spy should you already know the answer to that either way? I beg you to tell me if she is, Milo. It could be important."

[The Smith]

Milo nodded, "I do not know the identity of every spy in Westeros Joanna. I am good, but that is the stuff of legends."

[Marie]

"Please try to find out," she said. "Mother and Uncle Talyn trsuted you and so does Daemon. I'd sooner rely on you than someone else for this kind of information. I don't even know who else I might approach, if I wished to do so."

[The Smith]

"Maekar. He is the only of your kin who has any interest in my craft. His network is quite large, and impressive. At least when not compared to mine." Milo replied.

[Marie]

"Well, Maekar might not want to help me. I wasn't happy that he had chosen to intervene with my business without consulting me first and told him I would seek him out if I wanted him. He may not wish to aid me now."

[The Smith]

"Then of course I am at your service." Milo bowed, "If there is nothing else?"

[Marie]

There's one more thing," Joanna said. "Is it likely that the killer was after Aalina instead?"