Time seemed to slow in that instant and she almost caught herself saying 'yes'. Something stayed her voice, however. Something she perhaps did not want to admit to herself, nor anyone. She did not know how long a pause had passed, or how long she had stared at him with her mouth half open.
Just say it. It is your job. This is why you are here.
Still there were no words. She found her head shaking as she looked away.
What are you doing?! Why are you even here now if not for this?
Her gaze slowly returned to him with an almost saddened look. She took a slow breath, her voice softer than before.
"Not if what you ask will force me to decide between your life and my duty.", she said at length. "If you've a confession that would force me to detain you as a threat to the Sultanate... then no. I do not want to know."
He regarded her for a long moment before nodding slowly.
"Then I know where the line must be drawn."
"And that is one line I shall never cross."
Jameson's smile returned, the same pleasant façade as before.
"Do not fear, my dear. I would not put you in such a position, but in all else, I shall be as truthful as I can. Contrary to what many believe, I prefer to keep things truthful whenever possible. Lies only murk the waters. Make it difficult to navigate."
There was another long pause as they regarded each other. She found herself nodding to his words even as she considered them. "But in all else..." - so he was hiding something. Is that what she had suspected, or was it what she had feared? It was becoming harder to decide what her ultimate purpose for being here was anymore.
In that moment she decided this was for the best. She did not have all of the information. She did not know all of the plans that were set in motion. If he merely confessed everything to her right now it would feel like more of a betrayal than she was prepared for. No. She did not want a confession. She would uncover whatever it was, but she would do it her own way. And if she could avoid hurting him in the process... perhaps even release him from whatever duress he may be under, that would be the true victory. Her thoughts were interrupted though as he continued on.
"So. It is in truth that I seek the one who murdered Tane for the truth. What she knows and why she did it. And for others to see that if one acts against those under my employ, I will take measures to see that the yare caught. All legally of course."
"Of course.", she replied curtly.
"But why do you ask of the Andurons?"
The question seemed to pass without her hearing as she pushed something around her plate with her fork. She seemed lost for another moment, distracted once again by the potential confession she had denied him.
"Oh, yes... Captain Anduron. He is the reason behind the woman's actions, if what I heard is to be believed. He forced himself on her, and Alabrous Tane is the one who delivered her into his hands. She sought revenge."
This news did not seem to phase him as he continued to meet her gaze. He blinked twince.
"Ah. That is... unpleasant."
"Yes. And places me in a rather difficult position."
Jameson took up his glass once more and swirled the contents.
"Even if that is true, and Anduron can be implicated and condemned, the woman still murdered Tane. One wrong does not cancel the other."
"The man, I believe, has anger seeded inside of him. Along with ambition, I cannot say whether he is guilty of this act or not, but he is known for his... aptitude for cruelty. His unforgiving ways keep many unruly Blades in line."
Coatleque finished her own glass then and set it back to the table. Taking the napkin from her lap she dabbed at her mouth before folding it and setting it aside as well. Jameson nodded at her after a moments thought. They both began to speak at once just then.
"Indeed, murder is murder. But, Ser Crofte, do you recall those unforeseen events that I had mentioned earlier?"
"In truth this is a matter for the Blades. What am I to do? I promised the girl would not be harmed, but... aye?"
Their eyes met again for a moment. It seemed as if she was confiding her worry to Jameson, rather uncharacteristic of her. And his expression was almost sympathetic, an odd thing for him as well. She turned her head away in embarrassment and waited for him to continue before looking back.
"If she is handed over to the Blades... I would exercise much caution. Anduron is not known for his kindness. Deneith. She was under his command. She did not do well. And she was not a wanted criminal as this woman is. Who also is now accusing him of crimes as well."
He kept her gaze as his voice was kept even and low.
"I know you think me in charge of much of their affairs, but... this would be a delicate matter for me. Should I step on Anduron's authority... He and I currently have a tenuous relationship."
It was not something she ever thought to hear from Jameson. An admission of fear, no matter how insignificant. For a brief moment he seemed like just another man to her.
"Of course, I can fabricate a false charge to keep her out of their hands, but that will only work for so long. What... what was the unforeseen event then?"
Just say it. It is your job. This is why you are here.
Still there were no words. She found her head shaking as she looked away.
What are you doing?! Why are you even here now if not for this?
Her gaze slowly returned to him with an almost saddened look. She took a slow breath, her voice softer than before.
"Not if what you ask will force me to decide between your life and my duty.", she said at length. "If you've a confession that would force me to detain you as a threat to the Sultanate... then no. I do not want to know."
He regarded her for a long moment before nodding slowly.
"Then I know where the line must be drawn."
"And that is one line I shall never cross."
Jameson's smile returned, the same pleasant façade as before.
"Do not fear, my dear. I would not put you in such a position, but in all else, I shall be as truthful as I can. Contrary to what many believe, I prefer to keep things truthful whenever possible. Lies only murk the waters. Make it difficult to navigate."
There was another long pause as they regarded each other. She found herself nodding to his words even as she considered them. "But in all else..." - so he was hiding something. Is that what she had suspected, or was it what she had feared? It was becoming harder to decide what her ultimate purpose for being here was anymore.
In that moment she decided this was for the best. She did not have all of the information. She did not know all of the plans that were set in motion. If he merely confessed everything to her right now it would feel like more of a betrayal than she was prepared for. No. She did not want a confession. She would uncover whatever it was, but she would do it her own way. And if she could avoid hurting him in the process... perhaps even release him from whatever duress he may be under, that would be the true victory. Her thoughts were interrupted though as he continued on.
"So. It is in truth that I seek the one who murdered Tane for the truth. What she knows and why she did it. And for others to see that if one acts against those under my employ, I will take measures to see that the yare caught. All legally of course."
"Of course.", she replied curtly.
"But why do you ask of the Andurons?"
The question seemed to pass without her hearing as she pushed something around her plate with her fork. She seemed lost for another moment, distracted once again by the potential confession she had denied him.
"Oh, yes... Captain Anduron. He is the reason behind the woman's actions, if what I heard is to be believed. He forced himself on her, and Alabrous Tane is the one who delivered her into his hands. She sought revenge."
This news did not seem to phase him as he continued to meet her gaze. He blinked twince.
"Ah. That is... unpleasant."
"Yes. And places me in a rather difficult position."
Jameson took up his glass once more and swirled the contents.
"Even if that is true, and Anduron can be implicated and condemned, the woman still murdered Tane. One wrong does not cancel the other."
"The man, I believe, has anger seeded inside of him. Along with ambition, I cannot say whether he is guilty of this act or not, but he is known for his... aptitude for cruelty. His unforgiving ways keep many unruly Blades in line."
Coatleque finished her own glass then and set it back to the table. Taking the napkin from her lap she dabbed at her mouth before folding it and setting it aside as well. Jameson nodded at her after a moments thought. They both began to speak at once just then.
"Indeed, murder is murder. But, Ser Crofte, do you recall those unforeseen events that I had mentioned earlier?"
"In truth this is a matter for the Blades. What am I to do? I promised the girl would not be harmed, but... aye?"
Their eyes met again for a moment. It seemed as if she was confiding her worry to Jameson, rather uncharacteristic of her. And his expression was almost sympathetic, an odd thing for him as well. She turned her head away in embarrassment and waited for him to continue before looking back.
"If she is handed over to the Blades... I would exercise much caution. Anduron is not known for his kindness. Deneith. She was under his command. She did not do well. And she was not a wanted criminal as this woman is. Who also is now accusing him of crimes as well."
He kept her gaze as his voice was kept even and low.
"I know you think me in charge of much of their affairs, but... this would be a delicate matter for me. Should I step on Anduron's authority... He and I currently have a tenuous relationship."
It was not something she ever thought to hear from Jameson. An admission of fear, no matter how insignificant. For a brief moment he seemed like just another man to her.
"Of course, I can fabricate a false charge to keep her out of their hands, but that will only work for so long. What... what was the unforeseen event then?"