Kennels

[The Raven]

He follows her in without hesitation. "You..." He looked down, before continuing. He gripped his flute in his hands as he spoke. "You found the tree then. I saw it two years ago. Master Lyle was constantly staring at it, shooing the hounds away from it. I had to bribe a servant to tell me what was so damn ominous about that one tree." He grabbed one of the cups. "I think you have mastered the appropriate reaction to this place."

[Bret]

"Damned baby skulls", she was shaking her head in disbelief,"and bones... Father dug them up and he was...."

"Gnawing on them as if they were treats left behind."Alison took a deep drink. "Why would anyone do that?" Her eyes were wide, neer having seen something like that. She takes another drink.

[The Raven]

Hoster took a drink. "I don't know. I really don't... I always heard Danelle Lothston bathed in their blood to maintain her youth but..." He shook his head. "I think only Simon Whent knows now." He took another sip. "I don't think it needs to be known."

[Bret]

"It does not need to be known", looking at him questioning his statement. She shook her head,"It's wrong, is what it is...." Aelison took a drink,"Those bones I found are going to the Sept. Those children deserve that much, they deserve to rest in the Mother's mercy."

[The Raven]

"Aye, you're right about that. I'll help you prepare them for Septon Jared. You shouldn't have to deal with this alone." He rubbed her back without permission, though it was intended to be comforting rather than seductive.

[Bret]

"Thank you", she didn't even put up an objection to him. "I would really like to know why that happened here and why did he bury them there."

[The Raven]

"I don't know. I've seen Simon Whent in the castle, trailing your cousin's wife. Maybe some of the other knights or servants would know. You could even track down Master Lyle himself." He refilled her drink with his free hand. He was sitting quite close now and somehow smelled of strawberries.

[Bret]

"I will do just that", she nodded. His flirtation was not what she wanted at the time just the company. Taking in a deep sigh, she thought of the skulls, of the children. From the look of the skulls mostly infant babies. "But first, we need to get those bones to the Sept." She downed the rest of her drink and poured another.

Aelison stared at him,"What is this Simon Whent like? And do you think he'll tell me the truth?"

[The Raven]

He shrugged. "I don't know. But everyone already knows what he did, and he's sworn to serve your family. Father says he's a good knight, if not a good man.

[Bret]

"I guess, but I'm still going to talk to him because I didn't know what he did until... Today. I .. I can't explain it", she replied. "and if he is sworn to my family that means he can't lie now, doesn't it?" A small grin crossed her face, she finished her drink again.

"Come on", she smacked his thigh lightly,"let's take care of those bones first, then on to this Ser Whent."

[Bret]

////
Aelison led Daisy to the side of the kennels, she smiled at her lightly while taking her dagger from the sheath. Stroking her head, she whispered to her softly and slid the dagger between her ribs.

Daisy whined lightly and then was limp in Aelison's arms as the blood soaked into her shirt. After a while, she grabbed a wine skin, drank heavily and buried Daisy in the yard of her cottage.