Sir Brian, Sir Rothbur, and Sir Amis traveled the same route Anthanasius and Luke did preceding their arrest, but with greater haste as they traveled without the company of merchants and their carts. That, and they wanted to settle their business as far as possible before any alarm of revolt arose.


    Early the fourth day, they arrived at a welcoming city. All three knew it well from years of service to King Nigel, and riding into the yawning gate in the early-morning light with sounds of farmers calling to their animals, it seemed impossible the pastoral scene could disguise Semias Norworth’s treachery.


    No specific reason caused the knights to stand out; many well-known knights passed through the gates daily without more than a simple greeting. The three sufficiently blended in, therefore, and proceeded to serenely seek Boniface or Cajetan. Sir Amis went one way and the others went the other way. Finding one of the two in the large capitol proved difficult and after searching for an hour Sir Brian and Sir Rothbur decided to sit and wait.


    They did not have to wait long, for from a large opening by where they sat, they heard voices. Recognizing one, they stood and waited when presently from around the corner stepped King Nigel, Cajetan, and Semias. Cajetan argued vehemently with Semias about something the two knights weren’t familiar, and the king walked between the two. Under different circumstances it would have been comical to see King Nigel inching farther away from Semias with each step, but it alarmed the knights.


    Seeing the standing knights first, Semias unhesitatingly took control of the situation, diverting attention from the argument promptly after delivering his polemic.


    “Welcome, good and faithful knights,” he said affably. “What boon do you crave from our ever-just king?”


    Sir Rothbur tried to slow the conversation down immediately, and said, “Greetings, King Nigel. I am pleased to see you faring well, and Cajetan also.”


    “Delighted,” said Cajetan as he reached out his hand for a friendly grasp, coming up to the two knights. “You are Sir Rothbur if my mind doesn’t misgive me, and this is Sir Brian?”


    To answer, both bowed gently. Semias took their lack of verbal reply as an invitation to speak. “Did you arrive from Echo Slope? How fares Lord Marillac?”


    Sir Brian looked him square in the eyes and replied, “He is as hale as ever.”


    Looking into Semias’ eyes, Sir Brian felt uneasy. His steady gaze never failed him; his abilities and sure knowledge of himself prevented intimidation but his eyes felt heavy. Not yielding to the urge, he broke his gaze sideways and looked to the king.


    Semias’ eyes locked onto the letter the moment Sir Brian moved his hand. Sir Brian said, “We bring you, O King, tidings from Lord Marillac.”


    He reached out to give the letter to King Nigel, but Semias snatched, rather than took, the letter before the king could take hold of it. Sir Brian grabbed it back forcefully and glared at Semias, “If you don’t have a brain we know at least you have ears. Lord Marillac wrote this letter for the king.”


    Sir Brian handed it to the king again, while still glaring at Semias. The king read it with a lively sparkle his eye lacked before Semias’ rebuke. Once finished, he folded it and handed it to Cajetan, who stowed it without reading.


    King Nigel spoke for the first time. “I’m glad to see you both. Will you be staying long?”


    “We’ll stay a week or two as we both have some catching up to do with old friends.” answered Sir Rothbur.


    With that, the king thanked them for the visit and for bringing the invitation, mentioned he desired to see them again before their departure, and bid goodbye. As the three walked down another passageway, Semias turned around to glare back at Sir Brian, who looked back with equal intensity.


    “Well, that didn’t go so well.” Sir Rothbur fumed as the two knights walked down a street in the town connected to Rohalot Castle. “Normally I’m the one to lose it.”


    Sir Brian kicked at a piece of litter and snapped, “Well what would you have done? I don’t think there was anything confidential in the letter but he was even worse than I remembered. I couldn’t just let him run the whole conversation; the king hadn’t even said a word.”


    “I know. I shouldn’t have blamed you and I’m sorry,” Sir Rothbur said.


    The two walked in silence for a while before Sir Brian resumed, “I did silence him, though; he didn’t say a word after that.”


    “He said more with his eyes than he could have with words.” Sir Rothbur cautioned, “You threw him for a turn there but you’ll need to watch your head.”


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    Almost in answer, a plank from a roof fell mere feet in front of them with a dull clatter, bouncing briefly. Sir Rothbur stooped and handed it up to the workman on the roof, who offered them his apologies and thanked them heartily. This obvious accident, however, drove home the danger in which Sir Brian placed himself by chastising the kingdom’s worst schemer.


    Later that day, the two fell in with Boniface, still ignorant of that morning’s encounter. He listened with a grave air as they related the whole incident to him.


    “I agree with Sir Rothbur,” he finally said, “you will need to watch your back.” Laughing, he smiled through his well-kept beard and said quietly, “I wish I could have been there to see his face when you grabbed the letter back, and also when Anthanasius pummeled him. It’s no surprise such a happy sight put life back into the king.”


    Both knights smiled and Sir Brian took up the thread of conversation Boniface hinted at, saying, “Anthanasius and Luke arrived at Echo Slope.”


    “Ah, yes, I’d meant to ask about that,” Boniface said. “What happened to them?”


    “A messenger arrived moments after them with news of the imagined regicide and Lord Marillac immediately arrested them. Once the messenger departed, though, he called a conference and soon after he himself went and brought the two to join us.” Sir Brian said, but, unable to continue his narration due to curiosity, he asked, “What do people believe around Rohalot?”


    “Their arrest and imprisonment is believed. Semias talked of their execution until learning of their escape which made him furious.” He immediately asked about the conference, diplomatically inferring much of what could come from such a meeting.


    Sir Brian opened his mouth to answer, but Sir Rothbur interjected, “First, tell us, do you know anything of a request to send troops northward to Lord Cyprius’ aid?”


    He spoke simply and in his usual unhesitating manner, so that both perfectly believed him. “Lord Cyprius often asks the king for troops, but Semias always prevents their departure. Perhaps we wouldn’t be in such a mess had additional men been sent to quell the Shalmen’s initial landings.”


    He looked angry, but spoke, of course, of an entirely different matter, so Sir Brian briefly informed him of the developments of the conference. “Immediately before you talked with Lord Marillac before your recent departure, he received an anonymous letter pleading for Lord Marillac to send men to the region of Bronlum.”


    Boniface frowned. “Without the king’s permission?” In another moment his face lightened and he said, “I mean, ‘without Semias’ permission.’ Something like that reaching so high in the hierarchy finds an impasse.”


    “Yes, we agreed such a request is perfectly reasonable and Lord Cyprius may be testing Lord Marillac’s willingness to circumvent King Nigel’s authority. The lack of signature may be from Lord Cyprius’ understandable desire to appear loyal should anything go amiss,” Sir Rothbur said, then quickly added, “Which he is—loyal, I mean.”


    “I understand,” Boniface said. “Loyal to his country, but not to Semias’ whims enacted through King Nigel. I’ve faced the same dilemma and I’m sure you have also.”


    “Us and everyone at the conference,” Sir Rothbur said. He smiled broadly, but kept a low voice when speaking. “Lord Marillac ordered Anthanasius to lead a company of two hundred men to Lord Cyprius’ aid.”


    “It might as well happen sooner than later, for I see no other way,” Boniface said, then sighed. “Has he left?”


    “Yes; he would have two days ago. but in the meantime, before Semias and some others find out, we need you to do everything you can to get the king to the tournament at Echo Slope. Once he finds out we’re moving troops without his permission, I’m loath to think what could happen to the king.


    “Sure, and you ask Semias to step down from his leadership position,” Boniface retorted. “That’s just as likely to work as moving the king from their power.”


    “He doesn’t have to go to Echo Slope immediately, just somewhere Semias isn’t in complete control; even let him come if he wants,” Sir Brian said,


    Boniface shook his head, “It’s useless. I’ve tried a dozen times.”


    Still not at a loss, Sir Rothbur suggested, “You know what’s going on here better than anyone. Why haven’t you and Cajetan removed Semias from his position? The king would certainly support it and I can’t imagine much fallout from the people.”


    “Perhaps I’ve been afraid.” Boniface said, dropping his head slightly and looking at the floor. “But diplomatic affairs aren’t as simple as that. Besides, have you seen Semias’ bodyguard recently?”


    The two knights’ looks to each other showed they hadn’t, so Boniface continued, “Before the invasion, he slowly replaced his bodyguard with men unknown to me. I thought nothing of it; I can’t know everyone in the kingdom, but his guard grew so great that I questioned him where he found the resources to retain so many. My salary as advisor, you understand, is not a little, but now I believe he must hold fifty members personally.”


    The two gaped at each other. Neither ever heard of a fifty-man bodyguard for anyone in his rank.


    Boniface still wasn’t done. “And they don’t keep to their business either; when off duty, they are rowdy drunkards; and when on duty, they aren’t much better. I guess that’s beside my point. Anyway, a bodyguard’s duties seem obvious to me, and they are spelled out in the law, but Semias’ behave more like marauders—roaming the city, harassing the king’s men, and even the people—it’s becoming insupportable.”


    Just then a knock at the door arrested their conversation and Boniface laughed loudly, but as he looked at the other two, his eyes showed no mirth. He whispered, “I don’t know who it is; we may have been talking about Anthanasius’ escape. Just follow my lead.”


    He raised his voice to a normal speaking volume and said, “Go see who it is, will you, Sir Rothbur?”


    Sir Rothbur rose from his chair and walked to the door. He opened it and said, cordialy, “Semias Norworth, good to see you again; won’t you come in?”


    He stalked in without saying a word, and Boniface stood up to greet him. Sir Brian glared at him but Semias immediately growled out an implied question to Boniface. “I thought I heard my name as I walked by.”


    “I was saying,” began Boniface, “as I have said before to you, that you musn’t act too hasty in sentencing Anthanasius once he is caught; he is beloved by the people.”


    “By the foolish peasants,” Semias mumbled. “I care not what they think.”


    He turned to go, but wheeled around and said sharply, “See that you don’t talk behind my back, and beware of that one.” Then, scowling at Sir Brian, “He’s got to learn manners.”