A Roll of the Die - 1. Inception
Copyright© 2026 by Michael Loucks
Chapter 20: Day 31
Things had continued apace in Newtown for seven days. Construction had begun on the two windmills as well as the forge. A kitchen servant — Krista — was hired. Tristan was allowed out of bed, though not before inviting Lisette into bed with him. Lilia had begun decorating. Gregor had arrived, and construction had begun on quarters for the Newtown Guard he would lead. And, of course, a feast had been held.
A thorough search of the woods adjacent to Sierra's pasture had turned up nothing, but there had been no further loss of any sheep, nor any sighting of wolves or men. The mystery of the men who had claimed the woods would have to remain such, at least for a time.
Milos had secured stable space for six horses, and he and Jorah had acquired four strong nares to go with the two they already owned. Once Miri departed, they would have an extra horse, which could be used by Jorah, Lucas, or another person, and would guard against being short should a horse fall ill or come up lame.
"Today is the day my blood would come if I am not with child," Lilia said when she and Matthias rose at first light. "Though it could be tomorrow or the day after."
"And if it does come, then another moon of constant ploughing!" Matthias said with a grin.
"Something I want either way!" Lilia declared impishly.
"A husband's work is never done," Matthias teased with a theatrical sigh.
"Work?!" Lilia growled. "It is NOT work!"
"Of course not," Matthias agreed quickly.
They washed, dressed for breakfast, then joined the rest of the household at the table.
"Miri," Matthias said as they ate, "is there anything you need before you depart for Haven tomorrow?"
"Besides a shower?" she asked with a wry smile. "Nothing I can think of."
"A shower?" Karla asked.
"A device that sprinkles water from overhead, allowing you to wash better than with a cloth and bowl of water," Matthias said. "They are common in our home ... in our Original Plane."
"Lady Miri, how will my training work once you are married?" Zoë inquired.
"Once my honeymoon is complete, I intend to visit Newtown regularly. For now, practice the protection spell and the dispel spell. You need to master those so they never fail."
"Yes, my Lady."
"Miri, will Duke Robert allow you to join us on adventures?" Karla asked.
"That is a matter of some debate. Given I will be married to the second in line for the throne, my safety is of paramount importance to my husband, his father, and the King."
That would, Matthias mused, present a significant challenge. It wasn't a surprise, and he had assumed that would be the case, and it made him a bit sad. That said, Miri was extremely happy, so he accepted the situation, even if he didn't particularly like it.
They finished breakfast, and Matthias requested Miri join him in the library for a private conversation.
"What you said was not unexpected, but it complicates things," Matthias observed.
"It does," Miri agreed, "but I have a pair of ideas. I know I asked you to hold off on gunpowder weapons, but that gunpowder may be the way to accomplish our mission."
"How so?" Matthias asked.
"I recall reading about roadside bombs used by insurgents in the Middle East and by the French Resistance during World War II," Miri replied. "Fill a clay jar with gunpowder and nails, and put it somewhere the King will be. Set it off and KABOOM, no more King and no chance of anyone figuring out what happened."
"They'll suspect a mage," Matthias suggested.
"Yes, but I will have surrendered my crystals before entering the Royal Quarters, and I will not be seen to have left the bridal chamber."
"How and where?" Matthias asked.
"A small, confined space would be best; a privy chamber, for example. I'll secretly have thirty powerful crystals, and using a combination of invisibility, detect life, and fire, I can do it at some point during the two weeks Robert and I will remain in Haven."
"Why put yourself at such risk?"
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