A Roll of the Die - 1. Inception
Copyright© 2026 by Michael Loucks
Chapter 90: Day 119
The Company, accompanied by Lilia, Bella, Lucas, Teresa, and Lilia's parents, but without Tristan, had arrived in Haven two days before the Tournament. Matthias, Lilia, and Bella had accommodations in the Royal Wing of the Keep, while the others stayed at various inns, the Queen having ensured they all had rooms. After a night's rest, Matthias and Lilia had breakfast together in their quarters.
"Will it bother you if I spend time with the Queen and Tyra?" Lilia asked.
"No," Matthias replied. "Milos invited me to spend time with the Knights."
"Do you know what the others are doing? I mean, besides Milos and Karla?"
"No. We'll meet at the Tournament grounds the day after tomorrow. How much time will you spend with the Queen?"
"Most of the day. I'll see you at the meal with the King and Queen."
They kissed and both departed.
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"Good morning, Lady Queen," Lilia said when she was shown in.
"It's just we girls here," Miri said. "We can dispense with formality! My two cousins, my best friend, and her best friend can simply call me Miri!"
"Are you sure?" Lilia asked apprehensively.
"Positive!" Miri declared. "We are five girls, none with more than seventeen years! Let the men 'Sir' and 'My Lord' each other even when having an ale together in casual tunics in private!"
"What is it really like to be Queen, Cousin?" Tyra asked.
"Mostly looking pretty next to Robert and playing hostess for evening meals. During the day, I'm in my laboratory. If I didn't have that, I'd be bored out of my mind! The actual ruling part of being King only occupies a small amount of time."
"What does Robert do all day?" Tyra asked.
"Sit in meetings with the Privy Council, meet with Lords and Knights to address their concerns, listen to the commoners who request an audience, and meet with dignitaries from other lands."
"That sounds boring! I always imagined the King giving orders and commanding troops."
"In the distant past, Kings were warriors, but Robert is the first Knight to be king in nearly two hundred years."
"Will he compete in the Tournament tomorrow?" Lilia asked.
"No," Miri replied. "The King cannot put himself at risk."
"But he is the current champion, is he not?" Jillian protested.
"Even so, he cannot compete," Miri said. "The Knight-Commander refused to allow Robert to participate based on the rules meant to ensure the safety of the King, and I agree with the Knight-Commander."
"But Robert is King!" Bella objected. "He can do whatever pleases him!"
"A myth," Miri replied with a smile. "He may not do whatever pleases him, and has even less ability to do so after what happened with his father. Following the Peace of King Henry, Kings wielded too much power, as did the High Priest, at the expense of the Knights of the Realm. Robert's father being deposed, tried, convicted, and hanged, and the Knights reclaiming their traditional privileges, has restored the balance.
"That does not mean the King has no power, just that it has to be exercised judiciously and more by persuasion than by brute force. It's much better for both the King and the Realm if the people love the King, rather than fear him. King Ludwig and King Edward were feared; my husband is loved. That makes all the difference in the world."
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"What is it you see in me that makes you so determined?" Tristan asked Lisette.
"You're a good, loyal man with a taste for adventure," Lisette replied. "In addition, you are handsome and give great pleasure. Those are important, but not nearly as important as your character — honest, loyal, trustworthy, and kind. I believe you will be a close confidant of the Count, and you will serve him faithfully to both your benefits."
"I hope all of that is true, both now and in the future," Tristan said.
"It is," Lisette said. "I am confident about the future as well. It is my firm belief that, in the long run, you will want to settle down and have a family. As for other girls, it is not as if I haven't been with other men, and that does not bother either of us. I believe my offer is wise — when we are together, we are only with each other; when we are apart, we are free."
"But ultimately married?"
Lisette smiled. "I believe that is the cause of your reluctance! You have only twenty years and are not ready for marriage. I understand, and I'm happy to offer a compromise solution until you are ready. As for our time in Haven, I would not stand in Jillian's way. You and I would begin when we return to Newtown."
"Is it your intent that we share a room?"
"Yes, of course! I know you're confused, but that tells me my offer is the right thing for us to do. I believe you agree, or you would have said 'no' immediately."
Tristan laughed. "You can be VERY annoying, Lisette of Newtown!"
"Because I am right!" Lisette declared with a smile.
"You are, and I accept, as I suspect you knew I would."
"I wasn't completely certain, but I was confident. I am pleased!"
"As am I."
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"The boy does not appear to have sufficient years to be a squire," the clerk recording Tournament entrants observed.
"That is correct," Milos replied.
"Then he may only attend you in the tents, not in the arena."
"I will ensure that we both comply with all rules," Milos said firmly.
"You will face Sir Nelson of Pelham in your first match, and it will be the ninth of the morning. Do not be late, or you will forfeit."
"I will appear at the appointed time," Milos confirmed.
The clerk handed him a form with an official seal, indicating that he had validly registered. Milos thanked him, then he and Stefan moved away from the clerk's table.
"When will I be a squire?" Stefan asked.
"When you are ready," Milos replied. "It is typical for it to be around the time you complete your fourteenth year, but that is for boys who become pages at age eight. Continue your service and your training, and it will come in due time. I will not play games nor hold it out of reach."
"Thank you, Sir. Do you know Sir Nelson?"
"No. Matches are set based on the order Knights present themselves to the clerk. Friends who do not wish to face each other in an early round do not appear together."
"Could you watch to see who presents themselves and choose your opponent?"
"Yes, though that is considered dishonorable. The honorable action is to choose a time to appear and take your chance. There is no dishonor in agreeing with a close friend or relative to appear at different times."
"Do you intend to train for the joust, Sir?" Stefan asked.
"I do. I will see how my training goes before the next Royal Tournament to decide in which events I will compete."
"What about sword on horseback?"
"I have never fought with a sword light enough to do that. I prefer sword and shield or two-handed swords. Matthias and Tristan prefer lighter swords. As you know, the joust is the premier event and determines the Tournament champion."
"What do I need to do?"
"Polish my armor and check all the buckles and straps. Ensure the pommel of my sword is secure and the leather grip is neither frayed nor loose. You bring everything to the tent on the morning of the competition and guard it until you help me put it on. The innkeeper has a handcart for you to use.
"Once you're ensquired, you would carry my shield and lead me into the arena. For now, you will join the other pages in their viewing area and wait for my bout to finish, then accompany me back to the tent. If there is any damage to my armor, you'll take it to one of the smiths who has set up at the arena for repairs. Then we repeat until I win or am eliminated."
"I will do as you say, Sir!" Stefan declared.
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As Matthias was leaving the Keep with two King's Guardsmen for security, he was stopped by three men, one of whom was quite well dressed.
"You are Count Matthias of Newtown?" the well-dressed man inquired.
"I am," Matthias replied.
"I am Neville, a merchant, and these are Johan and Edward, who farm just outside Greenfield. We would like to speak to you about your new mills. May we buy you some hot cider?"
"Of course."
The group of six men made their way to the Black Knight Tavern, where Neville ordered pints of hot cider for all of them, as Matthias gave the King's Guardsmen leave to drink with them.
"These two men approached me on behalf of a group of nine farmers about financing a mill and granary in Greenfield," Neville said. "These two men have adjoining land and will each cede half the necessary land on which to construct the mill and granary. How quickly could a mill be constructed?"
Matthias considered and realized that building mills in smaller towns would be a quick way to do an end-run around the Millers Guild. The local farmers would grind their own grain, and the Newtown Mill Company would offer to buy the excess beyond their local needs, thus increasing the supply of flour in the face of the Guild's attempt to strong-arm buyers.
"I would say we could begin construction in about a moon and a half, and finish about a ten-day after we begin. That is long before the next harvest is due. If you wish to grind the harvest currently underway, you could construct the granary on your own and store the grain until the mill is completed. Once it is, and you begin, the Newtown Mill Company would be happy to contract with you to buy any excess flour at a fair price."
"What is your percentage of the mill's profits?"
"Zero if we build it; you will own it free and clear, with nothing owed to the Newtown Mill Company or to me except for the construction costs. Whatever agreement you make between yourselves is up to you, and is none of my business."
"Others can build mills?" Johan asked.
"Yes, though the difficulty lies in the intricate smithing and tinkering to make the internal works. If you hire an experienced smith and a skilled tinker, they would be able to follow the plans. In that case, we take a fee for the plans, and a small percentage of the profit for five years, and that can be paid with flour."
"I believe we should contract with Count Matthias to build the mill," Edward suggested.
"I agree," Neville said. "How do we proceed, Count Matthias?"
"My father-in-law, Tranos of Newtown, will draw up the contract and set the date. He is here in Haven, so we can conclude our business before we depart following the Tournament."
"Very good," Neville agreed.
They shook hands, finished their cider, and departed. Matthias and the Guardsmen made their way to the Tournament grounds, where they met Karla, Lisette, and Lucas.
"You may leave, Guardsmen," Matthias said. "Lady Karla will serve as my guard."
"As you say, my Lord Count," the more senior Guardsman replied.
The two men placed their right fists over their hearts in salute, then departed.
"I take it Milos is making his appearance before the Tournament clerk?" Matthias asked.
"He is. I see you are alone."
Matthias smiled and nodded. "Five young girls, one a Queen and another a Countess, are busy plotting against me!"
Karla laughed. "Who, besides the Queen, Lilia, and their handmaids?"
"Tyra, as she's the Queen's cousin."
"And you didn't stay?" Karla smirked.
Matthias laughed. "As enticing as that implication is, Lilia would never agree, and the King would take serious offense."
Karla smirked again. "And now, that fantasy is firmly lodged in your head!"
"Lady Karla," Lucas inquired, "if a man has but one plough, how?"
Matthias couldn't help but laugh again.
"Yes, Lady Karla," he managed to say through his laughter, "How?!"
"A man has a tongue and fingers as well," Karla replied smoothly, "and is able to plough multiple times, especially if he is young. When you complete your fifteenth year, you will discover all manner of pleasuring."
Or sooner, Matthias thought, as there were likely to be willing girls of a similar age to Lucas even before then.
"I fight ninth," Milos announced, coming up to them. "I am matched with Sir Nelson of Pelham. I do not know him, but another Knight said he is also young and has limited experience."
"A good way to start — evenly matched," Matthias observed.
"As this is my first Tournament, even one win is a success, but I do not intend to win only one match!"
Matthias nodded. "Nor do I believe you will win only one match, Sir Milos!"
"Thank you for your confidence, my Lord Count!"
"And now that the silly male formalities are completed, let's see how much trouble we can find!" Karla declared.
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"A petition has been made to the Privy Council," the Steward announced just before the mid-day meal.
"What petition?" King Robert inquired.
"That the High Priest be permitted to perform the opening ritual for the Royal Tournament and bless the Knights."
"Who brings this petition?"
"Earl Fredrick, Earl James, and Earl William."
"Have any Knights made a request for the High Priest to be at the Tournament?"
"Not formally, Your Majesty, but the Knight-Commander reports several have inquired with him about it."
"I'll hear from the Knight-Commander at the Privy Council meeting later today," Robert said.
"Very well, Your Majesty," the Steward replied. "What shall I tell the Earls?"
"They may appear and state their case, and the Council will advise me."
"I will inform them, Your Majesty."
The Steward departed, and the King sent for the Queen, knowing she would want to advise him on the matter.
"What is my ruling, Lady wife?" he asked with a sly smile after explaining why he'd summoned her.
Queen Miri laughed softly. "I only advise, Lord husband!"
"Advice from you is similar to a King's opinion when he is asked for one! Everyone knows the weight it carries!"
"Perhaps," Miri said impishly. "I believe it would be wise to allow it. If he were to try to politicize it or rile up the crowd against us, the Knights would take serious exception, and at a Royal Tournament, the people always stand with the Knights. That is especially true now that the traditional rights and privileges of the Knights have been restored, something which the people fully support."
"Thank you for your advice. I will listen to the Earls and the Privy Council, then make my ruling."
"Then I will return to my friends for our mid-day meal!"
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"Are you sure that is the wisest course of action?" Tranos asked Matthias.
"Absolutely! In fact, we should look for other similar opportunities. Mills will free the small towns completely from the Millers Guild and eliminate the need to transport grain to a distant mill and flour back to the town. The closest mill to Greenfield is nearly a full day's wagon ride away. That is true for many smaller towns, with some in the far west and far north needing more than a day to reach a mill."
"The Guild is going to be even more unhappy," Tranos observed.
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