A Roll of the Die - 1. Inception
Copyright© 2026 by Michael Loucks
Chapter 62: Day 80
Late the following morning, King Edward summoned Prince Robert.
"End this madness!" the King demanded.
"It is out of my hands, Father. Even if I stood in opposition at the Conclave, I would be part of a small minority. I examined the Warrant, and it bears your signature and your seal, as well as the signature of the Bailiff. It is on properly watermarked parchment, which could only come from the Bailiff's office or your office. I put that Warrant next to one I witnessed you sign, and I cannot tell the difference. If it is a forgery, it is perfect."
"Being in the minority is not a problem, my son. We only need one third, plus one."
"You will not have that, Father. Once you executed that poor girl after a secret summary trial, your fate was sealed."
"The document is a forgery, a very good one. But it was not recorded by the Bailiff. I confirmed that by personally reviewing the ledger. There are no gaps in sequence numbers, and nothing has been struck out, nor any pages removed."
"The Bailiff, when questioned yesterday afternoon by the Knight-Commander, stated you ordered him not to record it."
"Lies!" King Edward declared angrily.
"Father, you created this situation when you hanged that poor girl without having a trial before a jury of Knights, and against the express request of Count Matthias, who exposed the spy ring. I do not know what you can do at this point to avoid being deposed by the Conclave. Even an apology and an offer of compensation will not prevent the Conclave from deciding against you."
"Do you believe me?"
"Father, I love you and respect you, but the evidence is damning. I have never known you to lie, but how does that carry any weight with the Knights? When Sir Milos stands and testifies to what he personally observed and what he knows, I fear no Knights will stand against him. I believe you are telling the truth, and if that poor girl were still alive, we wouldn't be in this situation. Why did you disregard Count Matthias' reasonable request for mercy?"
"I meant to make an example of her to deter collaboration with Dania. I obviously made an error in judgment."
Robert was quiet for a long moment. "An error in judgment," he repeated softly. "Father, she had but nineteen years. She believed she was obeying a Royal Warrant bearing your seal. You had her hanged, and now you speak of her as though she were a lesson in statecraft gone wrong."
"She passed documents to Danian spies!"
"She passed documents because she trusted your seal. That is what the Knights will hear, and what her family will tell the Conclave. I cannot unhear what you have just said. The challenge before you is that a denial in the face of what appears to be overwhelming evidence will end with you losing the Throne — an admission would lead to a demand for abdication, and if you refuse, removal by the Conclave. The people will turn against you either way. You might be able to rally some nobles, but I don't believe that would help."
"What if Count Matthias were to agree to speak for me?"
"Even at his age and with his recent ennoblement, he already has a reputation as a just, fair, and merciful Lord. You refused his plea for mercy for the young girl. Why would he now agree to come to your defense?"
"Personal loyalty, as will be the case for many other nobles."
"Some others? Yes. Count Matthias? No. He will not allow personal loyalty to override his innate sense of justice. I discussed this with the Princess, who has known him for several years, and she agrees he will demand justice. In that sense, it is better that he has left Haven instead of lending his support directly to the young woman's family. In fact, I suspect he left to avoid having to do so because of his loyalty. That is likely the extent of loyalty and support he can offer without violating his innate sense of justice."
"I will NOT go down without a fight!" King Edward declared fiercely.
"A fight you cannot win, Father."
"We shall see about that!"
🎲🎲🎲
"Lord husband!" Lilia squealed happily as Matthias dismounted his horse in the courtyard at Newtown just before dusk.
Lucas took the reins from Matthias, and Matthias moved quickly to embrace his wife. They shared a quick kiss, then walked into the Manor House.
"Jorah left instructions to summon him on your arrival, but I hope you will wait until morning," Lilia said invitingly.
"I will," Matthias replied with a smile.
"Then come upstairs, wash up, and take me to bed!"
Matthias took her hand, and they went up the stairs to the master bedchamber.
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