A Roll of the Die - 1. Inception
Copyright© 2026 by Michael Loucks
Chapter 51: Day 69
Uma woke Matthias/Kristof with her talented tongue, drinking lustily from his fountain, surprising him with a deep tongue kiss immediately after. Before he could protest, she began using her mouth a second time, and once again gave him an immediate deep tongue kiss when she finished. The third time, she moved so they could mutually pleasure each other, and once again, tongue kissed him when they finished.
"You mentioned power and riches," Matthias/Kristof said as they got out of Uma's bed.
"I believe I have your full attention after what we just did."
"You do."
"Interesting enough to stay in Wickham?" Uma asked.
"You made a compelling oral argument!"
Uma laughed. "And you give as good as you get!"
"I'm listening."
"What do you think of the current situation in Nystria?"
"The successive deaths of Prince Alfred and King Ludwig seem too convenient by half for King Edward," Matthias/Kristof observed. "I certainly have no love for Royalty in general, nor the current King specifically."
"And the nobility?"
"I have benefited so far, but will inherit neither title nor land, so I have nothing in common with them, except being the fourth son of a minor noble."
"My friends and I believe the time of royalty and nobles has passed. It is time for a new way."
"You've piqued my interest," Matthias/Kristof said.
"How far are you willing to go to gain power and wealth?"
"The law is of little concern, as nobles and royalty routinely ignore it."
"You should meet a friend of mine," Uma said. "I'll make breakfast, and after we eat, I'll bring him to see you."
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"Did you have fun last night?" Lisette asked Tristan with a knowing smile.
"You're not upset?"
"No. I pushed you too hard, much to my regret. What I said is true — decide who you are and what you want, and if it's me, I'll say 'yes' to a proposal. If not, I simply want you to be happy."
"I'm sorry I failed you," Tristan replied.
"And I'm sorry I tried to convince you to act contrary to your nature."
"We have news," Milos said as he and Karla sat down. "Where is Kristof?"
"We haven't seen him since he left with Uma," Tyra replied, joining the others.
"Should we be concerned?" Karla asked.
"I don't believe so," Tristan replied. "What news, Milos?"
"Priscilla works as a clerk for the Bailiff. That means she would have access to nearly every message sent or received by the Lord Mayor. She is, without a doubt, a collaborator. Getting to her will be difficult, as she appears to always be in the company of close friends."
"And we cannot denounce her or eliminate her without better proof, and without raising suspicion," Karla added. "Until Kristof returns, we should continue gathering information."
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Uma ushered in a man and introduced him to Matthias/Kristof as Kenneth.
"I represent an organization that rejects nobility and royalty," he said.
"I have heard of such an organization, but only by name and rumor," Matthias/Kristof replied.
"We find it better to operate in the shadows and make use of men and women who would not draw attention."
"Such as a no-account fourth son of a minor noble who prefers revelry with his friends to the life of a noble?" Matthias/Kristof asked.
"Exactly," Kenneth replied. "Uma believes you are worthy of consideration."
"How do you propose I prove myself?" Matthias/Kristof asked.
"I told you he was intelligent!" Uma declared.
"Our goal is to sow unrest, but a high-profile action will draw too much attention. A series of lesser actions will cause concern amongst the populace and further our mission."
"I'm listening," Matthias/Kristof said.
"Kill a minor official, then a merchant," Kenneth suggested.
Matthias/Kristof kept his countenance neutral and pretended to consider the request, which could actually further the Company's work against the Danian agents. If handled correctly, it would not alert Dania, nor blow his cover with Kenneth and Uma.
"And in return?" Matthias/Kristof asked.
"Membership in our organization and a role in the new order we will establish."
"With many more nights like last night and many mornings like today's," Uma added with an inviting smile.
"And money?" Matthias/Kristof inquired.
"In due time, plenty. Carry out our request, and we'll fill your purse enough to sustain your revelry with your friends for some time."
"When does this need to be accomplished?"
"Three days, at most," Kenneth replied.
"Any target I choose?"
"So long as they meet the criteria and it appears to be random or to be a robbery."
Matthias/Kristof pretended to consider, then nodded and looked to Uma.
"That is exciting enough for me to stay."
"You won't see me again," Kenneth said. "You'll receive instructions from Uma. Fail in your mission or fail to follow orders, and you won't see the blade before it slices your throat."
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"My Lady, Gregor is here with an urgent matter," Jorah announced to Lilia.
"Bring him in and remain with us."
"Yes, my Lady!"
Jorah left and returned almost immediately with Gregor.
"What is the urgent matter, Deputy Gregor?" Lilia asked.
"Gareth assaulted John and beat him badly. I am in need of an arrest warrant."
"Jorah will draw it up in the proper form and affix my Lord husband's seal. How is John?"
"Black and blue, but with no broken bones and no blood save from a bloody nose and cut lip."
Jorah went to the library that served as the office for Newtown, prepared the arrest warrant, affixed the wax seal, and brought it to Lilia, who read it and handed it to Gregor.
"Michael will accompany me to facilitate the arrest, and we will take Gareth to the Fulham jail pending the return of Count Matthias."
"Proceed, Deputy Gregor," Lilia commanded. "Thank you for your faithful service."
"It is my honor, my Lady!"
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When Matthias left Uma's house, he considered the best way to eliminate William and Kurtis without arousing suspicion. That meant not having any other member of the Company involved in a way that might attract the wrong kind of attention. Matthias also considered what he should say to the others and decided full disclosure was the best approach.
As he walked, he spotted Milos and Karla and quickly moved to join them. He indicated they needed to talk, but with complete privacy. They split up to find the others, and forty minutes later, they were gathered in Matthias' room at the Full Moon Inn.
"We haven't uncovered the entire ring," Milos observed after Matthias explained what had occurred.
"True," Matthias agreed, "but we can completely disrupt the Danian operation by killing William and Kurtis, and by exposing Priscilla."
"Do you think Uma and Kenneth are Black Crows?" Tristan asked.
"It would make sense," Matthias responded. "They are a secondary threat after Dania."
"What if they were to discover your identity?" Tristan asked.
"I believe that's very unlikely," Matthias replied. "They're too loosely organized, and groups operate independently in each area. The chances they would interact with anyone in Fulham or Dal Valley are minimal."
"What happens with them?" Karla asked.
"At best, we could take out the local group," Milos interjected. "That would be somewhat useful, but I agree that taking out the Danian agents is much more important. Matthias, how do you propose we proceed?"
"A quick dagger thrust today for William when he is on his way to or from the Keep," Matthias said firmly. "That will put Kurtis on alert, but it can't be helped. For him, I enter his shop, hide in his living quarters, and kill him there."
"Are you sure about this plan, Matthias?" Tristan asked.
Matthias nodded. "I am. You should approach Priscilla today at the Grey Goose Tavern."
"What about her friends?"
"Just turn on your charm, Tristan," Lisette suggested mirthfully. "She'll at least agree to speak privately."
"Let her know she's caught," Matthias said, "and give her a chance to turn herself in or be denounced."
"And if she resists?" Tristan asked.
"Kill her," Lisette said firmly. "She's a traitor to Nystria."
"Aren't we all?" Tyra asked.
"I truly believe making Robert King and Miri Queen is in the best interest of the Realm," Matthias said forcefully. "Ludwig was a terrible King, and Alfred was an imbecile who was reported to be exceedingly cruel."
"I agree with Matthias," Milos said. "I would not have accepted this mission otherwise."
Everyone nodded, and they departed to continue their information-gathering tasks.
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"I spoke with my father," Robert said to Miri. "He is amenable, but believes there is too much unrest at the moment to try to amend the Peace of King Henry."
"Then your ascension to the Throne must wait," Miri observed.
"Do you have an alternative to propose?"
"Replace Titus with someone amenable to a sorceress as Queen. If the High Priest blesses it, most people will accept it."
"The High Priest serves for life," Robert protested.
"But only for life," Miri countered.
"Kill the High Priest?" Robert asked incredulously. "That would create even more unrest and create problems for us when we reign."
"Unless it is clearly by natural causes," Miri replied. "I am sure Lisette can create an appropriate potion, though it has to be different from the one you'll use on your father."
"Still risky," Robert observed. "Perhaps some kind of debilitating condition that makes him unfit to serve. But even then, how do we ensure the synod chooses an acceptable candidate?"
"Are you giving up on your plan of a quick ascension to the Throne?" Miri asked.
"No, but I need some time to think about it and come up with a way that doesn't further destabilize the Realm. It has to be a way that doesn't create chaos and unrest, which denying the existence of the gods will do. You'd be handing the Black Crows the Realm on a silver platter."
"Since when did you become so cautious and lacking in ambition and backbone?" Miri asked. "This was what YOU wanted."
Robert frowned. "I'm not. Give me time to think it through and devise a plan."
"I'll be in my laboratory."
"Are you upset with me?" Robert asked.
"No, just disappointed."
"I'll come up with something."
"Soon?"
"Soon."
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Later that day in Wickham, Matthias, dressed in nondescript clothes Tyra had purchased for him, lurked just outside the public entrance to the Tax Assessor's office, taking advantage of the long shadows cast by the late-afternoon sun. He carried only a pair of daggers and his lock-picking tools, waiting for William to leave, then looking for an opportunity to make use of a dagger.
He spotted William and pressed back against the wall in a deep shadow as he waited for William to pass. Matthias had cased the entire route earlier in the afternoon, wearing different clothes. He had selected a location that would have very deep shadows, as well as multiple escape routes. The spot he'd chosen was along a less-traveled street, and he had not seen a patrol in the two hours he'd observed.
As William approached the area Matthias had selected, Matthias quickly scanned for any other foot or wagon traffic and saw none close enough to be a concern. He picked up his pace and slid the dagger from his sleeve. Just as William stepped into the darkest shadow, Matthias thrust the dagger deep into William's back, aiming for his liver.
William gasped and grunted at the shock of the deep penetration and cried out in agony when Matthias withdrew the blade. Without changing his pace, Matthias made an immediate turn onto a smaller, deserted street and dropped the dagger through a grate leading to the city's rain sewers. Even if it were found, no available process in Nystria could tie it to him — no DNA, no fingerprints, and no way to trace its origin, as it was a common, unadorned blade. He doubted anyone would even look for it, let alone find it.
Matthias was several streets away when he heard shouts for the City Guard, but didn't alter his pace, nor did he change his plan. When he was eight streets away, he used a trough to wash his hands, though he had not seen any blood on them. That accomplished, he made his way to a spot near Kurtis' shop that he had scouted earlier in the day.
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