A Roll of the Die - 1. Inception
Copyright© 2026 by Michael Loucks
Chapter 45: Day 63
Very early in the morning, before first light, Milos and Karla joined Matthias, Lilia, and Miri for breakfast at Matthias' request.
"We have a mission," Matthias said. "It's directly from King Edward and requires complete secrecy. Lilia is here, as the King allowed me to inform her."
"Tristan will be pleased," Milos observed. "What is the mission?"
"To root out Danian spies in Wickham. Our contact is a merchant who sent word to the King secretly. We depart the day after tomorrow."
"There is much to be done in Newtown and County Hamilton," Milos observed.
"You need a deputy as quickly as possible."
"I agree. Allow me to consider that during our ride to Newtown today."
"Wearing armor and carrying obvious weapons is probably a bad idea," Karla suggested. "We need some kind of cover story."
"I have an idea," Lilia offered. "The third or fourth son of some noble, traveling with his friends. Nobody would suspect you."
"That is an excellent idea, my Lady!" Milos declared. "Tristan could go armed as the bodyguard Matthias' father forced upon him. I could pose as a soldier whose term of enlistment just ended. Karla and Lisette could pose as children of merchants, and Tyra as my younger sister. We spend coin in taverns and act like children of nobles with more money than sense."
Matthias nodded. "That is a fantastic plan! Thank you for the idea, Lady wife!"
"You may thank me properly at home tonight!" Lilia declared impishly, causing the others to laugh.
When they finished breakfast, Matthias and Lilia gathered their things, assisted by Bella, and they, along with Milos and Karla, headed for the stables to meet the others.
"Matthias, meet Sergeant Michael," Lisette said when they walked up.
"Pleased to meet you, my Lord Count," Michael said.
"And you, Sergeant," Matthias replied.
"Sergeant Michael has reached his twenty years, and I suggested he might be a good candidate to serve as Captain of the Newtown Guard, now that Milos has been appointed to be Sheriff."
"That would solve one of our challenges," Milos observed. "With your permission, my Lord, we should invite Sergeant Michael to Newtown."
"Granted," Matthias agreed. "When do you leave the Army, Sergeant?"
"At any time. I am officially retired as a fighting man, but I report for duty each day and assist the Major with recruiting and other administrative tasks. I spoke to him this morning, and he will release me for this specific purpose. If you do not hire me, I will return to my regiment."
"Then travel with us to Newtown. I see you have your pack and sword with you."
"I do, my Lord. I would be honored."
Tristan arrived, looking decidedly sour, but his mood changed when Matthias took him aside and explained the mission to him. When Tyra arrived a few minutes later, the entire group, including Gregor and Lucas, set off for Newtown, with Lucas driving the carriage in which Lilia and Bella rode.
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When they arrived at Newtown very late that afternoon, Matthias checked with Jorah about any pressing matters, and, hearing there were none, called the Company together to discuss their mission, with Lisette and Tyra hearing about it for the first time.
"Completely unarmed?" Lisette asked skeptically.
"Daggers only," Milos replied, "except Tristan, though he should wear his old armor as befitting a bodyguard for a third or fourth son."
"What about Tyra?" Karla asked. "Her crystals wouldn't be obvious, giving us a secret advantage."
"While that's true," Tyra replied, "you know very well it's a violation of the law to carry crystals if I do not wear mage's robes and display my medallion. The penalty is death by burning."
"We'll be on a mission for King Edward in defense of the Realm," Milos interjected. "Matthias has a Royal Warrant with the King's seal granting permission to capture or kill spies by any means he deems necessary, and to do so by stealth."
"There are no exceptions, and no trial or commutation of the sentence," Tyra protested. "Merely having possession of charged crystals without wearing robes and displaying the medallion allows any government official to impose the sentence immediately."
"We have time to get a message to the King and obtain a writ protecting you," Matthias said. "They are rarely granted, but there is a provision whereby the King may invoke the security of the Realm to employ mages as spies, and allow them to operate without their usual distinguishing garb."
"If you are sure," Tyra said.
"I am. Tristan, will you ride to Haven tomorrow? We don't have time to send a messenger, and you will need to return no later than tomorrow evening."
"It's better if I leave at once," Tristan said. "We did not press the horses, and I can be at Haven before they lock the gates. There is little risk traveling the Royal Way after dark."
"Do as you propose," Matthias replied. "We'll see you tomorrow, then."
Tristan acknowledged him and left the room.
"Milos, I heard you speaking intensely with Sergeant Michael on the way here," Matthias said. "What is your opinion?"
"A brave, loyal man with a perfect military record and proven skills with the sword. He is also skilled in administrative tasks suitable for military units and in recruiting. He would make an excellent Captain of the Newtown Guard. The only concern is that the barracks have not been completed."
"He will share my bed," Lisette announced.
Karla laughed. "So, he is an accomplished swordsman in that regard as well!"
"He is! We made no pledges."
"Then I see nothing preventing his appointment as Captain of the Newtown Guard," Matthias said.
"What about finances?" Milos asked. "We will need to pay him and expand the number of men in the Guard."
"Our pay for this mission is one hundred gold coins, plus expenses, with half to be divided among the Company and the remainder going to the County Treasury. The King paid half in advance and fronted a portion of our projected expenses. There is a significant bonus if we can capture and turn one of the spies."
"Difficult, if not impossible," Milos observed. "Spies are chosen from among the most trusted and most loyal men and women."
"And yet, when faced with death, men and women often have a change of heart," Matthias observed. "Milos, you may inform Sergeant Michael he is now Captain Michael."
"I will do so. With that decision made, I propose we name Gregor as Deputy Sheriff. Captain Michael would recruit his replacement. If you approve, Gregor could handle the duties while I am away."
"Will he accept?" Matthias inquired.
"He inquired about the position," Milos replied.
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