Title: The Seer of Truth - Winter of Ghosts book 3
Series: Dubric - Grimdark Writer's Cut #3, Winter of Ghosts #3
Published by: TamboWrites
Release Date: October 29, 2019
Contributors: Tambo Jones (author), Michelle Maakestad (illustrator)
Genre: Grimdark Fantasy, Speculative Thriller
Pages: 176
ISBN13: 978-1951023072
ASIN: B07Z34QXS3

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Eleven murders, eleven ghosts, and one lone linen maid.

An unseen killer has slaughtered ten servant girls and one guard, leaving disemboweled corpses in the castle courtyard. But Nella, a linen maid, survived her attack. The slasher took only her hair, not her life.
Nella loves a nobleman, the King’s grandson Risley—she admitted it with a bloody razor held to her throat—then she woke in Risley’s bed, surrounded by shining Holy Knights who pledged to protect her at any cost. Soon her beloved fled, insisting he left to get help. Without Risley near, the knights remained true to their vow and killed a man who attempted to assault her.

The castle people grow ever angrier in the wake of the knights’ ruthless protection and demand Risley’s arrest and execution. Castellan Dubric does little to quash their fury, but Dubric has burdens of his own—the heavy, dribbling ghosts of the eleven slaughtered victims, mostly servant girls like Nella. Dubric’s set a high bounty for Risley capture and return to the castle alive, but Nella, now isolated from even her friends, fears the reward may not be enough to save Risley’s life.

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“I’ve gathered a preliminary list concerning the dishes,” Lars said as he walked through the open door into Dubric’s office. “It’s a short one.” 

Dubric glanced up from the letter he had been studying between updates from Dien and Otlee. He folded it and tucked it into his pocket. “That was quick,” he said. 

Lars nodded but said nothing as he closed the door and sat in his chair. 

Dubric clasped his hands over his desk and watched the boy for a moment. “What have you found?” 

Lars opened his notebook. “The dishes in question were last used at the Council Luncheon, held before last spring’s festival. Would you like a re-account of attendees to the Luncheon?” 

Dubric shook his head. The Council that spring had merely consisted of himself, Lord Brushgar, Friar Bonne, Kyl Romlin and the Duke of Jhalin. No others. They had ruled on the merits of perhaps half a dozen cases of theft, support for two illegitimate children,and a handful of personal grievances and misunderstandings. Winters tended to cause squabbles and a spring Council was a standard occurrence. 

Lars returned his attention to his notes. “All the dishes from the luncheon were washed and dried by Thallia and Fionne. Both scullery maids are currently employed, and they filled out the proper inventory forms when they finished their chore. Pitta initialed them. No dishes were noted as damaged or missing at that time.” 

He glanced at Dubric again then said, “There are standing orders that once each moon the dishes are washed and re-counted. Again,

this duty has consistently fallen to Thallia and Fionne. I asked Pitta why, and she said these two women, both in their forties, by the way, have the steadiest hands in the kitchen. The dishes are evidently quite fragile. Each moon, a page is assigned to watch them and ensure no thefts occur while the dishes are in the kitchen.” 

Dubric nodded. One teaspoon alone was worth several crown if melted down, and security protocols must be followed when working with valuables. “Go on.” 

“The inventories have been promptly initialed and filed each moon. The last was three phases and five days ago. As of that day, all of the dishes and cutlery were accounted for.” 

Dubric made a note. The dishes were due to be counted again in two days. “Have the counts been accurate?” 

“I believe so, sir, but I have not spoken to Thallia and Fionne yet. They’re washing the finer midday dishes and did not wish to delegate the task to younger maids. I am trying to be accommodating and have requested a private meeting with each of them between three and four bell.” 

Thoughtful yet timely. A good compromise. “Nice job. Did you do a re-count today?” 

“Yes, sir. Pitta, Moergan, and I closed off the valuables storeroom and counted the contents of the entire cabinet. We are missing two dinner plates, one small bread plate, two full sets of gold eating utensils, a single serving spoon, and a small meat knife.” 

Dubric paused. Roughly a hundred crowns worth of gold and imported porcelain were missing. “Are you certain?” 

Lars produced two sheets of paper and handed both to Dubric. “I thought Pitta would faint, sir, when we counted them the first time, so we counted again. Both counts are there, and both are identical. The other sheet is last moon’s official inventory.” 

Dubric looked over the numbers and frowned. “Who has access?” 

Lars leaned back in his chair and said, “Only you and Pitta have keys to the cabinet, sir.” 

Dubric set the sheets on his desk. He met Lars’ gaze calmly. “Has Pitta’s key gone missing?”

“No, sir. She had them handy in her pocket and insisted her keys to the valuables have never left her possession. The cabinet takes two keys, sir. Plus a third for the storage room door.” 

Dubric clasped his hands together and watched the curious gleam in Lars’ eyes. “You think it was me?”