The Clerk's Testimony

Doran Penn's own account, pressed on his rescuer: how the keep was bought before it was broken, and what he was made to see of the carts that go up the castle road to the Foldfast Steading — the reason to keep walking east.

Written quickly, in the fair hand made faster by fear:

"To whoever cut me loose — my thanks, and my testimony, which is worth more than my thanks.

I kept Hewngate's toll before the Lances came, and I kept it after, because Coldhand needed a true hand and I needed to live. I signed the day House Vandahl's coin became the wing's wage. I balanced the book while men were held in the dark beneath me. Say that plainly to the Writ, and to Vandahl: the keep was BOUGHT before it was taken. There is a line in the accounts that proves it.

But here is the thing worth your road east. Coldhand is not the top of this. A share of every take goes up the castle road to the FOLDFAST STEADING — the old watch-post above the Sered pass, held by his own sister, the watch-captain there. Grain, coin, and once a month a covered cart he loads himself. His men will not speak of it; the two who asked were sent up that road and did not come back. Whatever the Foldfast watch is watching FOR, Coldhand feeds it, and fears it, and a man who fears nothing does not run a toll to pay tribute up a road to his own kin.

Go to the Foldfast. That is where this ends. I am for Highbridge and a quiet desk, and I never want to see another chain. — D. Penn."