A Roll of the Die - 1. Inception
Copyright© 2026 by Michael Loucks
Chapter 61: Day 79
"This morning," Princess Miri said as she and Robert lay in bed, "a farm family from just outside Wickham will petition for an audience with the King. I believe he will refuse. If so, they will petition to see you, and you must accept, and have me with you when you meet with them."
"Why?" Prince Robert asked.
"It is better for you to hear from them, and that this plays out according to the plan Matthias and Milos have set in motion."
"How do you know I will say or do the right things?"
"Because, as a Knight of the Realm, justice and tradition are paramount for you. Simply listen and then commit to ensuring justice is done. After they depart, a contingent of Knights will approach you, and it will be quite obvious what a just, honorable, and merciful ruler should do."
"I do not like being kept in the dark, Lady wife!"
Miri smirked. "No, you like the lamps at full brightness to more clearly see the field you till!"
Robert laughed. "I do! But you are aware that is not what I was referring to."
"I am aware, but in this case, it is better that you learn the truth from the farm family and the Knights."
"I trust you, but I do not like it."
"And yet, it will make you King inside a half-moon."
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"Once more, my Lord?" Rose asked invitingly when she and Matthias woke at first light.
Matthias was all too happy to accept her offer, and when they were finished, they rose from bed and washed using a pair of washcloths, a pitcher, and a basin.
"I wish to come to Newtown with you," Rose said, as they began to dress.
"I am married," Matthias said, keeping his voice soft.
Rose smiled. "I am aware, my Lord. Lady Lisette and Lady Tyra both took pains to ensure I was fully filled in before I invited you to fill me!"
Matthias laughed. "I enjoyed filling you! About your question — are you able to read and write?"
"Yes, my Lord. My mother taught me."
"And do you know your numbers?"
"Yes, though only the basics — adding and subtracting."
"Then you could have employment as a clerk for my Steward, Sheriff, and Household Guard. There are but two conditions — first, you must be loyal and honest; second, you must never disrespect my Lady wife. If you agree, you may travel with us to Newtown."
"I agree, my Lord! May I ask what would be considered disrespectful?"
"When both my Lady wife and I are in Newtown or Fulham, I do not take any other to my bed nor do I go to their bed."
"Do you not have that right as a noble?"
"I do, but I choose not to avail myself of it as I do not wish to make Countess Lilia unhappy."
"She will not object to last night or this morning?"
"No. She would also not object to me exercising the right at Newtown, so long as it was not too often. I choose not to exercise it for marital harmony."
"But when she is traveling or you are away?"
"Then it is at my discretion, as it is for any Lord."
"I will, of course, follow your wishes, my Lord."
"Then we are in agreement," Matthias declared.
They finished dressing and went down to have breakfast with Milos, Karla, and Tyra.
"I have four Knights who will join me to confront the King," Milos reported. "Each of them committed to bringing at least one other Knight, but I think five of us should be sufficient. If not, we will call the other four."
"Excellent work!" Matthias declared. "I have an audience first thing this morning. After it concludes, Rose and her family will request their audience. I expect that request to be rebuffed, but the Prince and Princess will receive them. Once they relate what happened and lodge their complaint, the Knights should act."
"Miri will ensure the Prince takes up the cause," Tyra advised. "She'll present the Warrant to Milos after Rose and her family have their audience."
As planned, once he had finished eating, Matthias made his way to the Keep with Milos acting as his bodyguard. They arrived in the Bailiff's office, and Matthias was escorted to the King's official audience room.
"Count Matthias; welcome!" King Edward exclaimed.
"Good morning, Your Majesty."
"I read the report you prepared, and the Danian spy will be interrogated starting later this morning."
"Very good, Your Majesty. I must ask why you refused to honor my request for mercy for Priscilla, given she truly believed she was obeying what appeared to everyone to be an authentic Royal Warrant?"
"Appeared," the King replied. "But it was not, and High Treason must be punished severely."
"And yet, mercy is a higher virtue than justice," Matthias countered. "Even so, was Priscilla not entitled to be judged by a jury of Knights?"
"She admitted passing documents to someone you identified as a Danian spy, whom you later killed. She relied on a forged document to try to mitigate her actions. Given her obvious guilt, there was no need for a jury of Knights."
"You are the King, Your Majesty," Matthias replied evenly.
"Is there anything else, Count Matthias?"
"Only the matter of the remainder of our payment and our expenses."
"See the Treasurer. I authorized payment, plus a bonus for eliminating a Black Crow and ending the threat to the Lord Mayor of Wickham."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
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"Good morning, Lord Prince," Ulf said obsequiously. "We are grateful that you would receive us."
"It is the obligation of Royalty to hear petitions from subjects who feel wronged or who believe there has been a miscarriage of justice," Prince Robert replied. "Beside me is my Lady wife, Princess Miri."
"It is a great honor to meet you, Lady Princess," Ulf said.
"Whom do you have with you, Ulf?" Princess Miri asked.
"My wife, Paloma, and my daughters, Hannah and Rose. My son Callum is tending our farm while we are away."
"What is your request, Ulf?" Prince Robert inquired.
"Our daughter, Priscilla, was arrested for passing documents to a Danian spy. She only did so because she had been shown a Royal Warrant, signed by the King, and with his seal. The King claimed the Warrant was a forgery, but Count Matthias of Newtown and Sir Milos of Newtown, a Knight of the Realm, both attested that the Warrant was authentic."
"What happened to your daughter?" Prince Robert asked.
Paloma's knuckles whitened where she gripped her apron, though she kept her gaze on her husband; Hannah pressed against her mother's side, and Rose studied Prince Robert's face as if hunting for any sign that a throne could feel shame.
"The King had her hanged for High Treason, but did not afford her a trial before a jury of Knights, as both the Law and the Traditions of the Realm require. He also refused a plea for mercy and clemency from Count Matthias."
"Who has possession of this document?"
"Sir Milos," Ulf replied.
Robert looked to Princess Miri, who gave a slight nod.
"I commit to investigating your claims, and if proven, to the administration of justice, no matter who violated the Law and the Traditions of Nystria."
"Ulf," Miri said, "my Lord Husband, Prince Robert, is also a Knight of the Realm. He is, therefore, sworn to uphold all laws, rights, and traditions, without regard to title, position, wealth, or status. If these claims are true, which I do not doubt, in addition to upholding the Law, appropriate compensation will be offered, though I know it cannot make up for your loss."
"You are too kind, Lady Princess," Ulf replied. "We are grateful that our petition has been received by just and merciful Royals."
"Remain in Haven until this matter is resolved," Miri said. "I will cover your expenses from my purse."
"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Lady Princess."
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Milos arrived at the Keep before the contingent of four other Knights and met privately with Princess Miri in her laboratory.
"Everything is going according to plan," Miri said, handing the incriminating document to Milos.
"Priscilla's friends will arrive later today and petition to see the King. Matthias requests you and Prince Robert receive them if the King refuses. Doing so will add to the pressure on the King. If the King refuses to do the honorable thing, Priscilla's family and friends will begin making public complaints and appeal to the Knights of the Realm for justice."
"Thank you for your loyal service, Sir Milos."
"I will lay down my life for you, Lady Princess, and for your child, soon to be born."
Miri smiled. "Your love is obvious and much appreciated. You will never want for anything, Sir Milos, and I will honor every request you bring to me."
"Thank you, Miri," he said lovingly.
"You're welcome, Milos, my true friend," she replied. "Will you hug me?"
Milos nodded, and the two exchanged a tight hug, and Miri kissed Milos' cheek. Once Miri released him from the hug, Milos returned to the Great Hall and awaited the other Knights, who arrived through the door to the courtyard a few minutes later.
"Do you have the document?" Sir Gerald inquired.
"I do," Milos replied.
He handed the Royal Warrant to Sir Gerald, who examined it closely, then gave it to Sir Aidan. Sir Aidan did the same, then passed it to Sir Uther. Sir Uther carefully examined the document, then passed it to Sir Landon, who returned it to Milos after examining it.
"What say you?" Milos asked.
"It is on properly watermarked parchment, with the proper color ink, and the proper seal," Sir Gerald said. "I believe the handwriting to be that of the Bailiff and the signature to be that of the King. The seal is of the proper color wax and has the proper ribbons. The Warrant is properly countersigned by the Bailiff. I believe the Warrant is authentic."
"I concur," Sir Aidan said. "The Warrant is authentic."
"I also concur," Sir Uther said. "The Warrant is authentic."
"I concur," Sir Landon said. "The Warrant is authentic."
"The Warrant is authentic," Milos declared.
With the agreement of all four of the Knights, Milos requested an audience with Prince Robert. It was granted, and the Prince met them in the Hall of the Knights.
"My Lord Prince," Sir Gerald said. "As a fellow Knight, we ask you to join us to right an injustice."
"Explain, please, Sir Gerald," Robert prompted.
Sir Gerald and Milos repeated the story and showed Prince Robert the Royal Warrant, which he carefully examined in silence over the course of several minutes.
"This is my father's signature and his seal," Prince Robert declared. "It is properly countersigned by the Bailiff, and it was written by the Bailiff's hand. I find it to be an authentic, countersigned Royal Warrant, and find that it confirms your statement, those of Priscilla's family, and that of Count Matthias."
"What will you do, my Lord Prince?" Sir Gerald asked.
"Confront my father and demand he do the honorable thing. If he does not, we will call for a Conclave of the Knights of the Realm to exercise our traditional rights to declare the Throne vacant."
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"Would my Lady wife care to instruct me on my next move?" Robert asked with a wry smile.
"I only advise, my Lord husband! In this case, I believe you know exactly what you must do."
"Wait for Priscilla's friends to add their voices, then confront my father and demand he abdicate, or if he refuses, to face a Conclave of the Knights of the Realm who will judge him and determine his fate."
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