A Roll of the Die - 1. Inception
Copyright© 2026 by Michael Loucks
Chapter 52: Day 70
The following morning, Tristan, Lisette, and Priscilla departed for Haven immediately following breakfast. The others gathered in Matthias' room to discuss their plans.
"What do you have in mind, Matthias?" Milos asked.
"We continue the ruse," he replied. "Tonight, we go to the Overflowing Tankard as usual. I'm certain Uma will seek me out, and we can wait to see if Anthony makes an appearance."
"And if he does?" Karla inquired.
"Just observe," Matthias replied. "We'll see if anyone meets him. I found nothing in Kurtis' shop or living quarters with any names or any reference to the number of Danian agents in the city. I suspect only he knew."
"With Lisette missing, he might be suspicious," Karla observed. "I suggest we go to the Grey Goose instead, and not return to the Overflowing Tankard until Lisette returns. The rest of us should also make sure we're seen around town."
"That does make sense," Matthias agreed. "I'll simply wait for Uma to contact me. She knows where we're staying."
"We're running out of things fitting our cover to do in the city," Milos interjected. "Tonight we should stay at the Grey Goose until they close, and arrange with Teresa to be let in whenever it is we return. Tomorrow, we sleep until mid-day like the spoiled brats we're pretending to be!"
🎲🎲🎲
"What will happen when we reach Haven?" Priscilla asked Lisette.
"We'll report directly to King Edward," Lisette replied. "He will have someone interrogate you. Count Matthias has guaranteed your life if you are truthful and tell everything you know. If you do not, nobody can protect you."
"I honestly don't know very much."
"It's not what you know," Tristan interjected. "It's how truthful you are. Begin with how they recruited you and end when we arrested you."
"I'm under arrest?"
"I'm no Bailiff or City Guardsman, but you have been placed in my custody, and I was instructed to deliver you to King Edward. Your actual status will be up to the King."
Priscilla sighed deeply but didn't respond.
"How many years do you have?" Lisette asked.
"Nineteen," Priscilla replied.
"Be truthful and thorough, and you have a long future ahead of you."
🎲🎲🎲
"What shall we do?" Tyra asked Matthias after Karla and Milos left.
"Let's stroll through the marketplace," he suggested.
"Returning to the scene of the crime?"
"I'm curious to know if Kurtis has been discovered. Nobody saw me; there is nothing to tie me to his death; and nobody has any reason to suspect me. If someone points a finger at Lisette, she has an alibi. If push comes to shove, I will show the Bailiff my Royal Warrant and reveal our mission. I honestly do not see that happening."
They walked to the marketplace, then down the street where Kurtis had maintained his shop. It was shuttered, and there was no sign his body had been discovered. Matthias knew that after a few days, it would start to smell, and that would cause someone to investigate.
"Not discovered," Tyra observed after they were sufficiently far from the shop. "Are you going to report to Uma?"
"Only if he's not found by the day after tomorrow. I want to ensure Tristan and Lisette have informed King Edward, which will happen by mid-day tomorrow."
"Now what?" Tyra asked.
"I'm open to suggestions."
"I'd like to spend the rest of the day in bed!"
"Then I suppose I'll find something to do on my own," Matthias replied with a sly smile.
"With you, you horse's arse!" Tyra exclaimed mirthfully.
"I knew that, of course," Matthias replied, taking her hand.
They spent the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon in Matthias' bed, then met the others for their evening meal before heading to the Grey Goose. Uma had not sought out Matthias/Kristof at the Full Moon Inn, nor had he seen her while walking to the tavern. That didn't surprise Matthias, as Kurtis' body had not yet been discovered.
One thing continued to gnaw at Matthias — the shop had been operating for nearly five years, and all reports and records showed Kurtis had been the proprietor. Milos and Karla had casually inquired about him, and there wasn't a hint of anything untoward; he had the respect of the other merchants and did a brisk business.
One possibility was that he was a 'sleeper agent', a concept Matthias had encountered in various books, TV shows, and movies. It made sense for Dania to attempt something like that to give them an advantage if war came, but also to provide continual updates about the situation in Nystria. It was something to consider further, as there might be more like him.
'Kristof' and his friends spent the better part of an hour at the Grey Goose without seeing anyone of interest. Milos pointed out that Kurtis had always favored the Overflowing Tankard of an evening, and that Anthony might do the same if he were watching for trouble.
"Karla wanted us to stay away until Lisette returns," Tyra reminded them.
"We have," Matthias replied. "One quick visit. We buy a round, we look, and we leave. If Anthony is wary, that is where he will expect us."
They agreed and walked to the Overflowing Tankard. When they arrived, they did not see Anthony, which didn't surprise any of them. Both Milos and Matthias were certain Anthony had to suspect something was amiss, but neither of them had any idea what Anthony might do.
"We wait," Matthias said once they had their ale.
To read the complete story you need to be logged in:
Log In or
Register for a Free account
(Why register?)
* Allows you 3 stories to read in 24 hours.