Arnim halted his horse, staring off at the distant city of Shrewesdale.
Nikki pulled up beside him. "Well,” she asked, ”how do you want to proceed?"
"I think it best if we split up," he replied. "We'll enter together, but I'll spread the men out throughout the city while you make some discreet enquiries."
"You think they might try to flee?" she asked.
"I wouldn't put it past them. Heward said there were a total of twelve witnesses to the orders, not including himself. Eight of those died either before or during the war. That leaves only four. I imagine they're a pretty tight bunch. If they get wind we're after them, we might lose them. All you have to do is identify them. We know their names, but we need faces, or they'll slip through the gates."
"I'll do what I can," she promised, "though I don't imagine it will take very long."
Arnim turned to the man behind him, "Captain Newbury?"
"Yes, my lord?"
"Keep the men close. When we enter the city, I want you to detail four of them to watch the gate. The rest will come with me."
"Yes, sir," the captain responded.
Arnim worried that his presence might too easily be noticed. He was, after all, a viscount now, but his fears seemed to be for naught, for when he entered the gate, no one gave him any special attention, even with the men of the Wincaster Light Horse following behind.
Nikki soon peeled off, making her way towards the estate of the earl and the knight's barracks. Arnim, meanwhile, led the men farther into the city, posting them at key intersections.
His mission complete, he rode within sight of the barracks but kept his distance. He waited for some time until finally he saw Nikki emerge, carrying some empty bottles on a tray. As soon as she spotted him, she dumped them in an alleyway, then ran across to join him.
"Any luck?" he asked.
"They're all there," said Nikki. "In fact, they're all drinking in the same room."
"I didn't think it would be so easy," said Arnim.
"It's not done yet," Nikki warned. "There's more in there than just the ones we're looking for. They might put up a fight."
"A good point, I suppose," said Arnim.
"What do you want to do now?" she asked.
"You keep an eye on them from here," he said. "I'll go and collect the light horse. We'll cut off their retreat and then move in to take their statements."
"And if they resist?" she asked.
"Then they'll be arrested for obstructing justice," declared Arnim.
Sir Gavin laid down his last card, "There, you see? The king of swords." He reached forward to pull the coins towards him but was stopped by Sir Albert.
"Wait a moment," the man said, "I believe two mages trumps a king."
"Don't be ridiculous," Gavin objected, "you can't have two mages, they've all been played."
"You forget," said Albert, "we re-dealt the deck. You really should pay more attention, my friend."
Their two companions tossed their hands onto the table.
"It appears you win again, Sir Albert," said Sir Peter. "You have the luck of an Elf."
"More like the luck of a cheater," accused Sir Tristram. "I can't believe he's won the last four rounds."
"What can I say," defended Sir Albert, "you're just not very hard to fool."
Sir Gavin was about to say more when the barracks door swung open. A stranger stood in the doorway, with more men behind.
"I'm looking for some men," he announced.
"Oh, yes?" said Sir Gavin. "Then perhaps you should try the Red Hen, I hear they cater to all sorts?"
"Are you Sir Gavin?" asked the stranger.
"I am," he admitted, "what of it?"
"My name is Lord Arnim Caster, Viscount of Haverston. I'm here seeking statements."
Sir Gavin rose, "I'm sorry, my lord, I had no idea who you were. You say you're seeking a statement, may I enquire as to what it concerns?"
"Yes," said Arnim, "it concerns the death of a fellow knight, back in '56."
"A fellow knight, you say?" asked Sir Gavin. "I don't recall such an event, do you, lads?" He looked around the room.
"Let me jog your memory," said Arnim. "It was a woman by the name of Dame Olivia Jacobson."
The room suddenly went quiet.
"I'm not sure we have much to tell you," said Sir Gavin.
"I already have a sworn statement from Sir Heward," Arnim announced, "so you can either give your version of the events or share in the punishment." He stepped inside, allowing Captain Newbury to enter as well. Six more men waited outside.
Arnim looked down at the table, "This game is over, gentlemen. Put aside your winnings."
He waited as they cleared the table, then placed a stack of papers down. Captain Newbury stepped forward, giving each an inkpot and quill.
"I expect a full account, gentlemen, and they'd better match. I might also remind you I have been granted permission from the crown to take whatever means are necessary to ensure your cooperation."
Sir Gavin glanced at Sir Albert with a worried look on his face.
Arnim slammed his fist down on the table. "There will be no talking while you write. If I see any of you coaching the others, it will result in a charge of treason. Am I understood?"
They all nodded, then bent to the task of writing.
Arnim watched as they worked. Sir Gavin's penmanship was at least legible, while that of Sir Tristram was nothing but scratches. He grabbed the knight’s notes, crumpling them.
"Captain Newbury?" Arnim said.
"Yes, sir?"
"Take Sir Tristram outside, and write his statement for him as he dictates it. He can sign the declaration once he's done."
"Very well, my lord."
The captain escorted the errant knight out while Arnim looked around, daring the witnesses to object, but they all sat silently as the three remaining knights wrote their statements.
Finally, the last man, Sir Albert, looked up. "Is that all?" he asked.
"No," said Arnim. "Pack your things."
"My things, Lord?" the man responded.
"Yes," said Arnim, "are you deaf?"
"No, my lord, but why?"
"You're coming back to Wincaster, all four of you."
"But I'm in service to the earl," he objected.
"Not anymore, you're not," declared Arnim.
"You can't do that!" said Sir Albert.
Arnim fished a folded paper out of his tunic. "This says I can," he stated.
"What is that?" asked Sir Gavin.
"Orders for your reassignment, signed by the queen herself. Of course, you're more than welcome to take it up directly with her, once we're in Wincaster. Any objections?"
"No," said Sir Gavin.
"No, what?" yelled Arnim.
"No, my lord," the man replied in a subdued tone.
Sir Peter raised his hand, "A question, if I may, my lord?"
Arnim rounded on the man, then took a breath, calming himself. "Yes?"
"May we gather our things, my lord?"
"Of course," said Arnim, as if talking to a child. "Captain Newbury will have some of his men come and help you pack." Arnim gathered up the statements, tucking them into his tunic. "We'll meet in the courtyard when you're ready."
He nodded his head at the rest of the knights. "Gentlemen," he said, "a good morning to you all," then strode from the room.
Nikki saw him exit the barracks and let out a deep breath. "I trust everything went well?"
"Yes," said Arnim, "much better than I had anticipated. It appears the Knights of Shrewesdale were not as loyal to the earl as I had thought."
Nikki smiled, "Good to hear, let's just hope the trial goes as easily."
The winds had turned cold, and the first snow of the year threatened in the sky by the time Wincaster came into view. Arnim halted, staring at the far off city, his thoughts elsewhere.
Nikki rode up beside him. "Problem, my love?" she asked.
Arnim turned, looking at the men who had halted behind him. The Wincaster Light Horse encircled the knights, though truth be told, their prisoners looked relieved to be nearing the capital.
"This isn't going to work," he stated.
"What isn't?" asked Nikki.
"This trial that the queen is engineering."
"Why would you say that?"
"Shrewesdale is too clever," Arnim continued, ”he'll have a contingency plan."
"What can he do?" she asked. "We have all the witnesses we need. You worry too much."
"I disagree," he said, smiling to lessen the argument. "We tried digging up dirt on him before. The man's made himself immune to prosecution."
"It's the queen's right to charge him with treason."
"Yes, but her insistence on a trial may be the end of it."
"You think he'll be found innocent?" she asked.
"Maybe," he mused, "but even if he's found guilty, he'll leverage his power to damage us."
"How? He's charged with treason. How could he possibly turn that on us?"
"I don't know," he admitted, "but just thinking about it gives me an uneasy feeling."
"It's the only way, Arnim."
"Is it? I sometimes wonder if a dagger in the back would be preferred, at least then we'd be rid of the man."
"Queen Anna wants the rule of law," Nikki reminded him "She won't rely on murder to achieve her objectives."
"No," he admitted, "I suppose not, but perhaps someone will do us a favour and save the crown the cost of a trial."
"Arnim, no!" she reached out to touch his arm. "Don't do anything of the sort, promise me. I can't bear the thought of losing you again."
He looked at her a moment, indecision wracking his features. He finally nodded, "I won't, I promise."
"Good," she replied, "you have too much to live for."
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked.
She looked back at him, love in her eyes. "I was going to wait to tell you the news," she said, "but I think now is the best time."
"Tell me what?"
"I'm with child," she said.
His forehead wrinkled up in thought for just a moment, then his whole face lit up. "That's wonderful news!" he exclaimed. "Saxnor's beard, Nikki, I thought you were going to tell me there was something wrong with you!"
"So you're happy?" she asked.
"Happy? No, I'm ecstatic!" He grabbed her hand, crushing it to his lips. "How long have you known?"
"Only a few days," she admitted, "but I was hoping to wait till we were back in Wincaster before telling you."
"Why would you wait?" he asked.
"I don't know," she admitted, "I suppose I wanted a more romantic setting. I never imagined that when I told you I was pregnant, we'd be on the road like this." She looked over at the horsemen behind them. "You have to admit, it does stink of horses."
"Does it?" he said. "I hadn't noticed. All I can see right now is you, my love."
"I suppose this means I'll have to meet your family," said Nikki.
"Of course," he replied, "and we shall have a great celebration! Is it a boy or a girl?"
She looked at him in surprise, "There's no way to tell until it's born. You should know that, you come from a large family. Why? Does it matter? Are you that determined to have a son?"
"No," he said, "I suppose not. We live in a new age, Nikki, our child can rise to great heights."
"And if they don't want to?"
"Then we shall love them anyway," he promised.
"Now that's the Arnim I fell in love with."
Arnim turned to face the riders. "I am happy to announce," he called out, "that we are to have a child."
"Congratulations," yelled back Captain Newbury. The horseman then turned in his saddle, to face his men. "A cheer for Lord and Lady Caster! Hip, hip."
"Hooray," the men bellowed back, their voices filled with gusto.
"Of course," the captain continued, "you realize, my lord, that it is customary to buy a round of drinks at such an announcement."
"And so I shall," replied Arnim, "but I will wait until we are within the city and have safely discharged our duty to the crown." He looked back at Nikki, who was watching him through tears of happiness. He nodded in the direction of Wincaster, "Shall we, Lady Caster?"
"We shall, my lord," she replied.