A Roll of the Die - 1. Inception
Copyright© 2026 by Michael Loucks
Chapter 55: Day 73
"You're quiet," Lisette observed after she and Tristan had ridden for an hour after leaving Telford the next morning.
"I don't have anything to say," Tristan replied.
"Until that answer, you hadn't said ten words to me since we got out of bed. And other than asking for eggs with your porridge for breakfast and settling the bill, you didn't say a word once we left our room. Did I make a mistake?"
Tristan was quiet for a moment before he answered.
"No. If anyone made a mistake, I did."
"I made the suggestion," Lisette said quietly.
"And I accepted. Now I'm confused."
"It wasn't just another pleasurable night for you, was it?"
"No. Was that your intent? To confuse me?"
"No, it wasn't. My error was believing that it would be nothing more than pleasure for you. I didn't intend to confuse you. If we ever do that again, we have to be betrothed."
"That would probably be best," Tristan conceded.
They rode in silence along the Royal Way, pale in the morning haze, with only harness leather and the steady beat of hooves between them; Tristan glanced at her once, saw her shoulders set and her eyes fixed on the road ahead, and found nothing to say that would not make matters worse, while Lisette realized that, for the first time in her life, she regretted something she had done.
She didn't regret asking Tristan to make the pledge, as it was a necessary step to move their relationship forward, and might ultimately lead to them being together, something that otherwise couldn't happen. She'd miscalculated with her request the previous day, and, in the process, had discovered Tristan had a sensitive side. That was good, but it was also bad, as it might drive him away permanently.
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Tristan and Lisette appeared at the Full Moon Inn just before the evening meal, and Matthias invited the entire Company to his room.
"How did things go?" he asked.
"King Edward commends you on a job well done, and the code materials have been turned over to Lord Lucien, the Spymaster."
"And Priscilla?"
"Was turned over to the Bailiff and charged with malfeasance. She had not been questioned when we departed yesterday morning, at least to my knowledge. The King was unhappy with your promise and guarantee, but it was he who suggested the misdemeanor charge."
"Good. Allow me to fill you in on what's happened here."
Matthias explained what had transpired and his new assignment from the Black Crows. The members of the Company debated their options, but reached no conclusion on the best way forward.
"For now, we simply continue acting our part."
They went down to eat their evening meal, then headed to the Overflowing Tankard. Tristan quickly sought out the two girls he'd entertained and disappeared. After a few drinks, the others departed for the Grey Goose to continue their revelry. A few minutes after being served their first round, Priscilla's friends entered. Matthias/Kristof was not at all surprised when one of the young men approached him.
"Our friend, Priscilla, went off with your man a few days ago, and we haven't seen her since."
"I sent him on an errand to Haven, and I believe she accompanied him," Matthias/Kristof replied.
"That is not like her at all," the young man protested.
"My man is loyal, honorable, and trustworthy. I can assure you he would neither harm your friend nor allow her to be harmed while she was with him. He is something of a charmer and has a way with women most men do not."
"When will he return?"
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