A Roll of the Die - 1. Inception
Copyright© 2026 by Michael Loucks
Chapter 27: Day 41
At first light, Fia entered Matthias' room with a pitcher of water, a clean basin, and fresh washing cloths.
"Good morning, my Lord," she said. "Breakfast is in about fifteen minutes. Is there anything you need?"
"No, thank you. I'll wash and dress, then come to the table."
"Perhaps a very personal service, my Lord?" she asked invitingly.
Matthias fought hard not to laugh at his circumstances. If there had been no other reason to stay in Nystria, it was the night and day difference between Count Matthias and the SCA nerd Matthew.
"Did someone suggest you offer personal services?"
"No, my Lord. I make the offer of my own free will."
"If that is truly your desire, return to me tonight when your duties are complete."
"Yes, my Lord!" she exclaimed excitedly.
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"I am not happy, Cousin!" Willa complained to Milos when he walked into the kitchen just before breakfast.
"When I was here before, circumstances required Karla and I to suspend our pledge temporarily, so I was free to act."
"I wished to be with you again," Willa pouted.
"And I with you, but we concluded our mission, and Karla and I resumed our pledge, so I cannot."
"Milos!" Juli, the cook, exclaimed. "It is good to see you! Have some warm bread to tide you over."
Milos laughed because it was less than five minutes before breakfast would be served. Juli obviously assumed he was hungry, which he was, but he could wait five minutes. He joined the other members of the band of adventurers at the table to eat breakfast, then he and Karla departed to speak to the farmers Willa claimed had paid the thugs.
"Willa seems unhappy with you," Karla observed as they rode along a path leading to the first farm.
"She's been interested in me since we were young."
"And you in her?"
"When we were younger, we spent a lot of time together, and we wanted to, but it never happened."
From his careful words, Karla was certain it had happened when Milos had visited, but she had no objection, as Milos had been free of his pledge. It appeared, though, that Willa had not understood the circumstances.
"Do you want her again?" Karla asked with a sly smile.
Milos laughed and shook his head. "I am pledged to you."
"That was not an answer to the question I asked!" Karla protested mirthfully.
"Does it matter?" Milos asked. "I don't wish to break our pledge; do you?"
"No, of course not!"
They rode the rest of the way in silence and spoke to the first farmer, confirming what Willa had said. Unfortunately, they gathered little additional information beyond a general description of the thugs.
"I'm sorry if I made you unhappy," Karla said as they rode away.
"You make me happy," Milos countered. "Willa will simply have to deal with the fact that you and I are pledged. I made no promises to her when I was with her. Does it bother you that I did that?"
"No. We agreed to temporarily suspend our pledge so we could achieve our mission. You never said a word about that, and I should not have said anything about Willa. I'm sorry."
"There is nothing to apologize for," Milos replied gently.
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"Jorah, I would like to plant flowers," Lilia said after breakfast.
"May I suggest along the path from the gate, and along the front of the Manor House? There, they will get sufficient sunlight. Will you plant yourselves, or should I retain someone?"
"Bella and I will do it, so long as someone can dig the beds for us. We'll go into Fulham today to buy cloth and yarn, as well as flower seeds."
"Gregor will accompany you," Jorah said. "Your Lord husband commands it. As for digging beds for your flowers, Lucas can help."
"Thank you, Jorah. Please ask Lucas to hitch the horse to the carriage. He can drive us, then help once we return."
"Yes, my Lady," Jorah replied.
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In Haven, Miri was invited to a mid-day meal with the Queen and decided to use the opportunity to secret the clay jar with gunpowder and nails in the privy. It was far easier than she had hoped, as her flowing robes allowed her to conceal the jar, and it was not out of the ordinary for her to use the privy. The clay jar settled against the stone with a dull tap that seemed loud only to her. She pressed the focus talisman into the mixture, sealed the lid, and walked back to the Queen's table with steady hands and a courtier's smile. After two hours with the Queen, Miri returned to the quarters she shared with Robert, and a short time later, he returned from the mid-day meal with the King.
"We need to get word to Count Matthias right away," Robert said. "The King informed us he is going to try to have another child."
"The Queen has at least fifty years!" Miri protested. "I don't believe that is possible."
"Even so, he wishes a direct heir, and my father is concerned. Fortunately, there is no appetite to allow women to rule, but you know the King could divorce and remarry. That would be accepted with almost no opposition if it were for the express purposes of siring a son."
"We need silphium," Miri said. "We cannot allow the Queen, a new wife, or a mistress to be with child!"
"The Queen will never take it!" Robert protested.
"I think I can manage that," Miri said. "We do not need to contact Count Matthias. The plan is already in motion and should be completed before the King has an opportunity to be with another woman. I can set off the device tonight, or any other night — it is up to you."
"But how?"
"An alchemical mixture, and it will be traced to Kelvin, the merchant. All you need do is suggest a motive to the Bailiff — Kelvin had a deal with the Razor Claws that was thwarted."
"There is no risk it might be traced to us?"
"No, my Lord husband. None. I also have a plan to make you King as soon as you think prudent."
"What is your plan?"
"A powder to add to ale, wine, or mead. To prevent suspicion, it is a slow-acting poison that must build to a deadly level. You can drink with your father, then later drink an antidote. You will suffer no ill effects. Your father will perhaps have mild headaches until the day his heart simply stops."
"You, my Lady wife, are resourceful and cunning!"
"The same alchemist provided me with a special potion. Perhaps you would like to try it?"
"What effect does it have?"
"Your plough will stay as hard as steel for two or three hours, and multiple releases are possible during that time. I have a potion that will ensure my field is sufficiently watered."
"And you want to use them?"
"I do!"
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Milos and Karla reached the second farm and confirmed what Willa had said. When they departed, they decided to ride to a third farm and, along the way, ate bread and smoked beef they had carried with them.
"I am Milos, nephew to Sean," Milos said to the third farmer when they arrived. "This is Karla. We wonder whether men threatened you to collect protection money."
"They did, and I paid them," the farmer admitted.
"Could you describe them?" Milos asked.
The farmer gave the same basic description as the other farmers had given.
"Is there anything else you can tell us?" Karla inquired.
"When I informed my son about the men, he thought he might have seen them in a tavern in Southham."
"Which one?" Milos asked.
"The Cantankerous Tankard."
"Thank you! You've been most helpful."
Milos and Karla decided, based on the new information, to return to Milos' uncle's farm as quickly as possible. When they arrived, they gathered Matthias, Tyra, Lisette, and Tristan and let them know what they had discovered.
"The two of you and Tristan should go to Southham," Matthias said. "Take Stewart, as he was with Sean the last time the men were here. See what you can find out."
"I'm concerned about your safety," Milos countered.
"With Tyra and Lisette here, along with Sean and the farmhands, we'll be fine. Nobody has mentioned more than two thugs, correct?"
"Correct, though I'd be happier if Lisette came with us and Tristan stayed here. Then, each group has two able men to effectively use weapons. That also gives me two females to flirt with two males, if that becomes necessary."
"Wise counsel," Matthias replied. "Let's do it your way."
Milos, Karla, Lisette, and Stewart departed for Southham, while Matthias, Tristan, and Tyra stayed at the farm.
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"Tonight," Robert said to Miri after three hours of mutual pleasure. "Are you sure it will kill the King?"
"Yes, and without harming the Queen, as killing her would create outrage. Your father knows suspicion may fall on him, right?"
"Yes, but what evidence would there be? None, if I understand you correctly."
"That didn't prevent Kranos from being arrested for conspiracy to kill Prince Alfred."
"That is true," Robert admitted. "May I ask how you can be sure of your plan?"
"It's time to reveal my secret," Miri said. "I have in my possession a number of charged mana crystals."
"But I saw you leave them with the Keep guards, and they will have discharged. Our bags were some distance from us, and a maiden checked your clothing."
"It's possible to have at least forty charged mana crystals at once, and the thirty additional crystals are more powerful than the usual ten."
"But how?" Robert asked in bewilderment.
"I don't yet know the mechanism, but it is true, and something discovered by Kranos. Making use of those crystals, I'll cast a strong spell to allow me to see the aura of the King and Queen. I know where each of them usually sits, and which side of the bed is the Queen's. Once the King is in the privy, I will activate the mixture I secreted there by using magic."
"I must add 'dangerous' to the list of your qualities, Lady wife!"
"Not to you, my Lord husband. Only to those who oppose you or make themselves your enemies."
"My father chose well!"
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