A Roll of the Die - 1. Inception
Copyright© 2026 by Michael Loucks
Chapter 87: Day 114
Matthias, Milos, Karla, and Stefan arrived in Southham before the mid-day meal, having left the Shattered Shield in Thornwick at first light. Matthias immediately sought out Tristan and Lisette to find out what they had discovered. Tristan explained what they had found and showed Matthias the decoded list.
"While I am suspicious of those men and women being Black Crows," Matthias said to Tristan and Lisette, "I believe addressing it the way Lisette suggests is the best approach. Accuse them of smuggling and tax evasion, and allow the Bailiff to proceed with charging them with misdemeanors."
"Then Lisette and I will take the information to the Bailiff," Tristan said. "Do you agree the Bailiff should offer reduced fines and shorter jail terms in exchange for coöperation?"
"Absolutely. The most severe punishment should be reserved for the most egregious offenses, and lengthy imprisonment should be avoided in favor of fines and restitution. Hopefully, the Bailiff will agree. I have no say in the matter of petty crimes here in Southham except to give my opinion."
"I'll convey the message and your opinion," Tristan said.
Tristan and Lisette left, and not long after, Laurel arrived, having requested to speak with Matthias.
"What is it I can do for you?" Matthias inquired.
"I had hoped for an arrangement similar to the one I had with Alton, but your man Tristan says you are married."
"I am. What did you do before you made your arrangement with Alton?"
"I was a clerk for a cloth merchant. I tended his shop and kept his inventory while he traveled to purchase bolts of cloth from the Tyskan Lowlands and Pârsâ."
"By any chance, was it Bertram?" Matthias asked.
"Why, yes, my Lord! How did you know?"
"I didn't. Do you believe you could run his business?"
"The shop? Yes, I could. But I have never traveled to acquire new stock."
"But you do know the relative values of various types of cloth, how to price it, and what people of Southham prefer, do you not?"
"I do, my Lord."
"Do you know anything about his involvement with Alton in a smuggling operation?"
"No, my Lord! I believe Bertram paid his duties and taxes on the cloth. I kept the books and recorded the payment, and saw the import documents."
"The smuggling operation involved antiquities similar to things in Alton's house, including ancient tomes, as well as rare and expensive spices. Bertram will be arrested today and will be fined and given a term of imprisonment. As soon as he is taken into custody by the Bailiff, you should propose running his shop for a portion of the profits, in addition to a regular wage. He will not forfeit his business, so he could return once he is released."
"His arrest is certain?"
"The evidence is strong enough to ensure a conviction by the Lord Mayor when he hears the case."
"Do you think Bertram will agree?"
"What will happen to his shop if he is imprisoned for even three moons?"
"Another merchant will take over the cloth trade, and Bertram will be out of business."
"I agree that is what would most certainly happen."
"I would need to discuss with Bertram how to acquire new stock, and would need money to fund someone knowledgeable to travel to acquire new stock."
"I will lend the funds to you at a favorable rate in exchange for a small percentage of the profits. My agreement with Dustin for the sale of the Three Diamond Inn included a percentage of the profits. That puts you, as it does Dustin, under my protection so long as you obey the King's Law and pay your taxes."
"Of course I would do so! I will need to find a place to live."
"I intend to keep this house and need someone to act as overseer. Would you be willing to do so in exchange for living here? You would need to continue to employ Daphne and Martha and ensure the house is ready at all times for members of my Company or others in my employ or who are guests."
"Yes, of course, my Lord! I am grateful for your trust."
"Do not betray it, or the consequences will be quite severe."
"Never, my Lord!"
"Then you may move into the empty bedchamber today."
"I will come to you tonight, my Lord."
"That is not required by the arrangement we just concluded," Matthias said.
"But it is expected if a woman lives in her Lord's house."
"Perhaps in the usual case, but not by me. Please see to moving your things and speak with Bertram once he has been arrested."
"I will, my Lord. Thank you."
By the time Tristan returned from the Bailiff's office, Laurel had introduced herself to Daphne and Martha as overseer, not consort. She had a ledger open on the kitchen table, reviewing the household accounts and inventory.
Matthias watched her work for a few minutes and was certain the house felt less like seized property and more like a place of refuge and rest for the Company when Southham needed them again.
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"I am not to ask them about membership in the Black Crows?" the Bailiff asked skeptically.
"That is correct," Tristan replied. "King Robert agreed with Count Matthias to treat this as a smuggling ring. That minimizes public unrest by making them petty criminals and scofflaws, rather than men involved in High Treason. The King, not the Black Crows, will gain support when the Crown moves against wealthy men exploiting their position and refusing to obey the King's Law."
"In addition," Lisette added, "the penalties imposed are to be large fines and modest terms of imprisonment. Those penalties are to be reduced, but not eliminated, for any of the scofflaws who admit their guilt and provide useful information about the smuggling ring."
"What if, per chance, one of them offers information about the Black Crows?"
"It should be handled quietly, and with charges other than High Treason, if possible. Use any crime they have committed to bring them to justice, but avoid any mention of the Black Crows."
"I am confused," the Bailiff said. "Why?"
"The Black Crows build their following by claiming injustice," Lisette said. "Treating them as common criminals denies their claims and, as I said, builds support for the King, as the people want to see the laws enforced fairly against all, including the wealthy and powerful. It will help increase stability in the Realm, and hopefully deter our enemies from acting."
"I will, of course, do as the King commands," the Bailiff said, "but I believe the correct course of action is to deal harshly with traitors to deter others."
"The day may come when that is necessary," Tristan observed. "For now, please act quickly on the arrests."
"They will begin at once!" the Bailiff said firmly.
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"I would like to ride to Dal Valley," Milos said to Matthias after the mid-day meal. "With the mounted patrols, it should be safe for Karla, Stefan, and me to travel. We'd return late tomorrow, allowing us to return to Newtown with you the following day."
"If you wish to do so, I have no objection," Matthias replied. "The fact that you made that request conveys that you are confident I am safe."
"Between the City Guard, the battalion of infantry that arrived this morning, plus Tristan, Lisette, and Tyra, I'm confident enough so long as you do not venture from the house alone."
"I'll remain in the house until you return," Matthias replied. "The Bailiff and the City Guard will continue making arrests, and it is best if we stay out of what is purely a matter of rounding up scofflaws and tax evaders."
"Then Karla, Stefan, and I will depart immediately."
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"My Lady, Nicholas the baker is here to see your Lord husband," Jorah announced.
"Bring him in, please, and remain with us."
Jorah left and returned a minute later with the baker.
"Excuse the interruption, my Lady," Nicholas said.
"No apologies are necessary," Lilia replied. "What is it you wish?"
"The Millers Guild informed me that unless I sign a contract to buy exclusively from them for two years at the fixed Guild price, they will charge double for any flour I buy from them. They are presenting the same contract and terms to every baker in Fulham. They also gave me a handbill advising that flour from any mill not run by the Guild is of inferior quality and might be tainted."
"Thank you for informing us," Lilia said. "I will get word to the Count, and your friendship to us will be remembered."
"Thank you, my Lady."
Jorah showed Nicholas out, and Lilia had him summon Timothy Miller.
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