A Roll of the Die - 1. Inception
Copyright© 2026 by Michael Loucks
Chapter 58: Day 76
"How may I help you, Kristof?" the Bailiff asked when Matthias/Kristof appeared in his office late in the afternoon.
"In confidence, please," Matthias/Kristof requested.
"Paul," the Bailiff said to his aide, "please leave us."
The aide departed and closed the door behind him. Matthias removed the Royal Warrant issued by King Edward from his pouch and handed it to the Bailiff.
"My true identity is Count Matthias of Newtown, Lord of County Hamilton, near Fulham. My companions and I are on a secret mission for the King to ferret out a Danian spy network. The two recent reported murders were both Danian spies, and the Royal Warrant I just handed you authorized me to capture or kill them at my discretion. There is one additional spy who is under surveillance by my Company."
"A spy network? Here in Wickham? Why?"
"Dania appears to be plotting to invade. So far, my Company has thwarted a reconnaissance mission near Fulham and disrupted the spy network here in Wickham. While investigating here, we uncovered a group of Black Crows we are attempting to infiltrate and run to ground. You are their next target, followed by the Lord Mayor."
"I will immediately double the guard at the Keep and ensure we are escorted when moving through the city!"
"No," Matthias said firmly. "I am the operative tasked to kill you, and I mean to succeed, at least as far as the Black Crows are aware."
"You?! I don't understand!"
"I have managed to infiltrate one of their cells ... sorry, small groups, and the deaths of the spies — William and Kurtis — proved my sincerity and willingness to kill. We need to fake your death so I can draw out the local Black Crow leader."
"What is your plan?" the Bailiff asked nervously.
"My herbalist will give you a potion that will slow your heart and breathing such that they are undetectable. You will be brought to the mortician, who will be in on the plot."
"What of my wife and children?"
"They must believe you are dead, as must the Lord Mayor."
The Bailiff shook his head. "No. It is not worth the pain to my wife and sons. Find another way."
"If you refuse, the only option I have left is to arrest my contact in the Black Crows. She'll be replaced, and a new, unknown Black Crow operative will be tasked to kill you."
"I fully trust the City Guard to protect me."
Matthias wanted to say that it was the Bailiff's funeral, but elected not to. If the man wished to risk his life rather than cause temporary emotional pain to his wife and sons, that was his business.
"Then I thank you for your time and wish you luck. We will depart tomorrow; please hold everything I have said and revealed in confidence until we depart. Failure to do so would be considered High Treason, and I would report that to His Majesty the King and publicly denounce you as a traitor."
Matthias left the Bailiff's office and returned to the Full Moon Inn, where the assembled Company was waiting. They all gathered in Matthias' room, and he explained the Bailiff's refusal.
"He's a fool," Tyra observed.
Matthias nodded. "I believe that as well, but it is his choice, and very likely his funeral."
"How do you propose to proceed?" Milos inquired.
"First, I will speak with Priscilla's family and tell them what happened if John has not done so. Then I'll see John and Priscilla's other friends. Once I've spoken to them, you and Tristan will accompany me to arrest Uma at her home."
"Are we turning her over to the Lord Mayor or taking her to Haven?" Karla asked.
"We'll take her to Haven. She'll provide a distraction for King Edward while Priscilla's friends begin agitating about her unjust execution. Milos will identify several Knights who will join him to bring charges against the King. The King, of course, cannot be prosecuted unless a super-majority of Knights agrees, but the public will quickly turn on the King, and we'll add charges of scapegoating Kranos. He will, in my estimation, have no choice but to abdicate."
"What if the King attempts to implicate you and the Company?" Milos asked.
"Implicate us in what? Taking out the Razor Claws? Uncovering a plot against the King and Crown Prince? Discovering the Danian reconnaissance unit near Fulham? Identifying a Danian spy ring in Wickham? All things for which we have been richly rewarded. His nobles would rebel, as would the Knights of the Realm."
"How will we handle Anthony?" Tristan inquired.
"If he shows his face, we arrest him as well, but not before we arrest Uma."
"Will you tell her family what you told John?" Milos asked.
"Essentially," Matthias replied. "William tricked Priscilla, but they must believe Edward used her and then had her killed. Without that, they will blame us — and the petition in Haven will come to nothing."
There were no dissents, so Matthias, Milos, and Karla departed to visit Priscilla's family at their farm. Just over fifteen minutes later, Matthias greeted a woman who appeared to have about fifty years.
"You are Paloma? Mother to Priscilla?" he inquired.
"I am," she replied cautiously.
"Were you informed of what happened in Haven by John?"
"We were, but sworn to secrecy."
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