[D7 EM] Squire Hunting

[Squire Derrin]

“I don’t suppose I could call him friend. He’s son of a Banner Lord, and I’m just a serving boy who got good with a sword. Good enough to stand in for them knights that don’t have squires o’ their own.” Derrin turned the mug in his hands, “He’s not much older than me, but he grew up with the Lady Lysa and Ser Elwood, and I grew up with the head groom’s son.”

He sniffed, “I ain’t got no objection to the work, milady. I work hard, and the Meadows don’t break me back. They treat us good.”

[Claryssa]

"I've spent a good part of my life aside Lady Kylie. I know what that's like." Claryssa told him. "They treat me well, too. I know all of my Lady's favorite things and people. I've made friends with many of the guards that patrol at night to ensure she's safe. Is it like that here?"

[Squire Derrin]

“I suppose,” he answered uncertainly, “maybe if I was squire to just one knights, I guess. I don’t know.” Derrin couldn’t quite understand what the ladies wanted of him, especially not noble ladies bearing gifts.

[Kylie Redwyne]

"I'm sorry, this must seem like such an odd meeting." Kylie lowered her head. "After yesterday, I was very upset. I noticed you were as well. It just made me think of you is all. I couldn't imagine watching someone I was that close to be... poisoned. The way they tried to revive him... I still can't believe they think it was his own waterskin. How does that even happen?" Kylie shook her head.

[Squire Derrin]

Turning pale once more, “it was his own skin, milady, I’m sure of it.” He seemed panicked, as if he were holding something back that wanted to be blurted out.

[Kylie Redwyne]

"I'm sorry, Derrin. I didn't mean to upset you. Is there something bothering you about it? You can share. We're here to help one another. And I don't mean to pry. You just seem worried." Kylie soothed, touching his hand for a small moment before withdrawing and casually taking another sip of wine.

[Squire Derrin]

With an expression that could only be defined as relief, Derrin abruptly whispered, “it’s my fault, I did this.”

[Kylie Redwyne]

Both girls looked at one another. Someone this upset was certainly no killer.

"Derrin, I'm certain that's not true. Tell us what happened. We promise not to judge." Kylie coaxed.

[Squire Derrin]

The young man coughed, “it’s true,” he confessed sadly, “only I didn’t know what I was doing.” Derrin was holding the mug in an iron grip between his hands, knuckles turning white. “One of the apothecaries from town, he gave me a little bottle. And he said, he said that Ser Harben’d want to be fighting fit for the joust, on accounts of him being the best jouster around, after Lord Tremaine is.”

“He said, he said I could put it in his water, and- and- and-“. Derrin’s head fell forward in defeat, his shoulders slumped. “I didn’t know it was poison.”

[Kylie Redwyne]

Kylie reached forward and put her hand on his. "I'm so sorry Derrin." She looked at Claryssa before continuing. "Lay down your burdens. You were helping a man as you were told. You had no way to know. This is not your fault."

"There may still be hope for Harben. If they knew what was used, it could help them treat more effectively. Your information about the person who gave it to you could be vital." Claryssa assisted. "Do you want to come forward?"