Treason, p.12
Treason, page 12
part #1 of Treason and Truth Series
As he’d left, he heard the taller man say, “Don’t look like that. He’s just a stupid sergeant. The overseer and his lackeys won’t care.”
He’d never given them his name or rank, though he had mentioned he was a guard. Exceptionally worried, with a tightness in his chest, he’d come to the Outer Office to try to warn the King.
Lord Landis and Richardson had seen the state he was in and believed his story. They’d summoned the Steward and a complete search of the kitchens and the King’s Triniculum occurred. They’d found poisoned food in the latter, but no-one knew how it had got there. Lord Landis told him not to leave. So, he’d stayed, becoming increasingly anxious. A hunt for truth had brought him here, to the Outer Office, to the point of not knowing if the King would order his execution.
Chapter 20
INVESTIGATION
Late Afternoon
Inner Office
ADEONE SCRUTINISED HILLBECK as he told a succinct and sanitised story. As the story concluded, trying to keep his temper, he asked, “Why didn’t you report the incidents sooner?”
“The men said something about Captain Haster being part of them, sir. Something about how easy it would be.”
Adeone frowned. “Wait outside.” When Sergeant Hillbeck had saluted and left, Adeone turned to a concerned Landis. “Other than the fact poison was found, do you trust Hillbeck?”
“I believed him before we started searching. He’s valley-born.”
“That saves a lot of questions. What do you think about the reference to Haster?”
“Nothing’s impossible, Sire,” remarked Landis impartially.
“If that’s— Come in, Richardson.”
The administrator entered, handed Landis a document and waited. Adeone raised a querying eyebrow. Landis passed over the document. It was a list, neatly inscribed, of everyone the guards had allowed through the service entrance to the King’s rooms. The only unnamed person was a ‘guard’ with a message for Simkins.
“Get me Haster and Simkins,” ordered Adeone.
A few moments later, Simkins entered. After reading the list, he said, “I wasn’t given any message, sir. The rest is correct.”
“Right, thank you. You didn’t happen to see the guard?”
“No, sir. If I had, I’d have asked him what he was doing there.”
With his fingers steepled against pursed lips, Adeone sat almost immobile as Haster entered the Inner Office. The captain had been in post since his father’s reign and they usually had an easy relationship; however, if Hillbeck’s story were true, then Haster had betrayed that relationship.
Adeone didn’t miss the slight wince as Haster saluted. He didn’t move to acknowledge the salute but mildly considered how crafty his ancestors had been in devising one that meant the person saluting couldn’t possibly be holding a weapon, as both palms were brought up to opposing shoulders. It was a salute saved for the monarch, but the normal salute of the right hand brought up to the left shoulder meant that it was unlikely a weapon could be used. What it said about the paranoia of his ancestors was a question for another day.
He studied Haster’s face as Landis asked him for his weapons. Watched the infinitesimal pause before he obeyed the request, which wasn’t a request at all. Saw how the colour started to drain from the captain’s face. It suggested Haster did have something to answer for – an innocent man would likely have asked why he was being disarmed, or would they in this office? Adeone didn’t give time to the speculation. Landis and he hadn’t discussed disarming Haster but he wasn’t going to interfere. As his Defender, Landis was within his rights to do so, and he evidently wasn’t taking chances. Landis moved away, putting the sword and dagger through his belt, which Adeone knew had loops specifically for such moments. He’d originally laughed when Landis had told him, but he wasn’t laughing now. He was watching Haster as the captain became more disconcerted.
Eventually, with his fingers still steepled against his mouth, he enquired, “Are you aware of events today, Captain?”
Haster racked his brains but concluded that he wasn’t. “No, Sire.”
Adeone lowered his hands but never his gaze. “There has been an attempt on my life. The interesting thing is that the traitors were certain they would succeed because you are one of them. Why would that be?”
Captain Haster went whiter than any man the King had ever seen. Something was certainly wrong.
“Well?” he demanded.
Haster struggled to get the words out. “Sire… I…”
Anger surging, Adeone used all his willpower to remain calm. “Haster, you undoubtedly know something. What is it? I’d rather find out before I arrest you for treason than give orders for the secret to be discovered when I’ve arrested you; I will not hesitate to do so.”
Haster took several steadying breaths. “Sire, I knew nothing about an attempt on your life. As the moons will bear me witness, I didn’t. I… Two men cornered me a week ago, or more, saying that, if I didn’t want the men, my wife and Your Majesty to discover my secret, I had to find them a guard’s tabard. It seemed such a small thing but I didn’t want… Anyway, I thought that was the end of it. Then two nights ago, they asked me about a guard. I recognised the description as Hillbeck and told them he was a sergeant. They started asking more questions, I stalled saying I’d need time to find out. I haven’t seen them since. Oh, Sicla…” The captain ran a hand over his balding head.
“Remain at attention!” snapped Adeone, still grim-faced, his anger bubbling hotter. His willpower broke. “What is the secret?” he snapped, knowing Haster would be compelled to answer.
Haster straightened up, wincing slightly. “I once had a relationship with Lord Ryson.”
Adeone’s features set. “You are married.”
“Yes, Sire, and I was then. I can’t see my wife appreciating the fact.”
“Wait outside.” After, Haster saluted and left, Adeone said, “Your opinion, Landis?”
“I think he’s telling the truth,” replied his Defender. “I also don’t think he gave in easily to the men. You could get Ryson here to check if the blackmail had any foundation.”
Adeone called for his administrator. “Is Lord Ryson at Court today?”
“I believe, sir, he is rather in court,” replied Richardson. “I’ll find out which judge.”
“I’ll contact the Keeper myself. Just see Haster is lodged where he can’t do a runner. Dragoris.”
Adeone’s messenger, a tiny dragon, appeared in a flash of green light and landed on his outstretched palm. He raised the dragon to eye level.
“Can you get me a private link with the Keeper of the Justice Hall, please, Dragoris?”
Seconds later, the link formed. For Landis, the air shimmered opaquely heat-haze-like around the King. For Adeone, he seemed to be at a comfortable speaking distance from the Keeper in a shimmering white corridor.
A couple of minutes later, in Court Six, Judge Tancred was intrigued to see Dragoris appear and advise him of the King’s request to adjourn. He’d known King Adeone since he was born but had never known him ask for an adjournment. He noted the significance of the tiny dragon, as opposed to a runner or courier. Lord Scanlon would no doubt object to ‘the King’s interference in justice matters,’ but Tancred would let him. It was not for him to refuse the King.
“This court is now adjourned until tomorrow. Jury, I will explain myself to you and the prosecuting counsel in a few moments.”
Acting as counsel for the defence, Lord Ryson was perplexed: to end now seemed unwarranted. He was even more intrigued when Dragoris appeared and told him that the King wanted to speak with him. He left the Courthouse in some agitation, wracking his brains as to why he’d been summoned.
Chapter 21
INTERROGATION
Early Evening
Inner Office
WHILST WAITING FOR RYSON, Adeone brooded on events; his relaxing time at Ceardlann already a distant memory. Landis took Haster into the triniculum. Six minutes later, Adeone silently watched the captain pass back through the Inner Office. Once the door closed, he raised an eyebrow.
“The bruises are still livid,” replied Landis.
Blackmail and a beating: Adeone would have been surprised by just one or the other, but the fact Haster had caved at all was alarming. At the very least, he should have informed someone, anyone that it had happened. There must have been time, opportunity; if he, himself, hadn’t been available, Haster could have seen Landis, Paturn or Fitz, even Richardson. Someone. They could then have protected Haster. Instead, inaction had condemned him. Adeone cursed him for it. He considered Hillbeck’s actions as well. Had he, in trying to get information, condemned himself? He was pretty certain that Hillbeck wasn’t a traitor; it went against his instinct to disbelieve the old legends that said the valley-binding was life-binding. Hillbeck might need a few lessons about what to do when things appeared wrong but, in the end, he’d acted correctly, whereas Haster hadn’t. Hillbeck had saved his life and Haster had jeopardised it. He was still ruminating when Richardson announced Lord Ryson clad in his pale-green lawyers’ robes.
Adeone pulled himself out of his contemplations and, before Ryson had finished straightening up from his bow, snapped, “Have you ever had a relationship with Captain Haster of the Palace Guard, my lord?”
Surprise, shock and worry flickered across Ryson’s face. He would be evaluating the ramifications of the question but, for Haster’s sake, Adeone didn’t want to give him chance to circumvent answering, even momentarily.
“It’s quite simple, my lord, either you have or you have not! Take your pick and make sure it’s the truth. Lawyer’s questions will wait.”
There was an edge to the King that Ryson had rarely seen and he knew he didn’t want to feel the blade. Truth was the only option, even if it unleashed wrath. “Yes, Your Majesty, a few years ago.”
“Has anyone ever approached you about this? Have you ever told anyone?” demanded the King.
Increasingly concerned, Ryson answered with a negative. Why was Landis still in the room? Had something occurred under the remit of a Defender of the King’s Life? The unusual summons suggested treason. As he was here answering questions, it implicated him. He forced himself to focus, to answer the King’s questions.
“I don’t think anyone has, Sire, and I don’t remember telling anyone about it. I knew he was married, you see.”
“My lord, somebody knew,” remarked Adeone. “Either you or he must have told someone. Or, of course, you were abysmally stupid and somebody found out and used it to compromise you both.”
“My preferences aren’t a secret – Lord Scanlon knows, for instance – but I don’t know who could have known about Haster, Sire; I shall give it some thought.” Ryson hesitated. “Your Majesty, may I ask if the captain is in difficulties?”
“That remains to be seen. He is in a predicament and he isn’t the only one. There was an attempt on my life earlier; the captain is linked to it by name. He wasn’t, however, responsible and, I believe, didn’t know of the plot. He made a mistake. What, as a lawyer, would you suggest?”
“I’m hardly unbiased, Sire, but he has served your family loyally for many years. The mistake might well have had unthinkable results. If it had resulted in your death, then I have no doubt Haster would have ended his life. He still might. He will know he has failed you, Your Majesty. He will be in torment. Your good opinion means everything to him; it’s why I ended our relationship. Our involvement could have compromised him and I never wanted that. I suppose it still did though.”
“Would you send him to trial?” asked Adeone, filing the revelation away in his mind. He wasn’t sure who it said more about.
“On that, Your Majesty, I am unable to advise you without the full information. I would say it is possible, on the information I have, that a jury would find him guilty.”
“Thank you, my lord. I would be grateful if you would promise me, on your fealty, to say nothing of this to anyone. If I can settle it quietly, I would prefer it.”
“You have my promise, Sire.”
Ryson bowed out with his mind still awhirl with questions he had realised he had better not ask, including exactly how the King’s life had been attacked and by whom. That sort of knowledge was dangerous.
Once the door had closed, Landis mused, “Could Ryson have told Lord Scanlon himself, as a planned entrapment? They were friends.”
“Yes, Landis, many years ago. I hadn’t overlooked the possibility, but I can’t simply accept that, because he was friends with my traitorous brother, Elidir wants me dead. To my knowledge, they’ve not been on sociable terms since Ryson’s sister refused to marry Scanlon and ran from Oedran. Not everyone is as fortunate in their childhood friends as we are.”
“I know, but it’s my duty to be suspicious. What are you going to do?”
“As my Defender, what is your advice?”
“Haster should have thought beyond himself. He has failed you, but if you truly believe he had no notion of the treason – and don’t want to pursue the charge and broadcast what’s happened – then I suggest you renew his oath and watch him carefully. When you can do so, replace him. If you let people know your life’s been attacked, it could be seen as a call to arms. I think quietly replacing him may be best for now.”
Adeone considered his friend gravely. It was a reasonable course of action and would make sense. No-one would ever need to know outside of the few who already did. He didn’t want to force Scanlon into any action; for he had no doubt now that somehow Scanlon had watched his former friend and, with the unerring knack he had, used the information to get at him.
He reached his decision. “Get Haster and Richardson in here.”
He pushed himself to his feet as they entered. Landis moved to stand behind his right shoulder. Richardson settled himself at the clerks’ desk, leaving the captain, pale and alone, in front of him.
He started speaking softly, “Captain, you have allowed your personal preoccupations to endanger the stability of the Oedranian Empire, my life and that of my family. You have failed to take thought for how your actions might affect more than yourself. Because of this, there is little choice left to me. You have, over the years, done much to protect that which you have more recently endangered. These are my terms to your continued freedom: one, you tell your wife about any secret that might in the future be used to blackmail or pressurise you – likewise, you rid yourself of all other secrets that could be used against you to the appropriate person – two, your tenure as Captain of the Palace Guard is limited to the point at which I find a suitable officer to replace you and, thirdly, you swear a life-binding fealty.”
Landis inhaled sharply. He had realised the attack had disturbed his friend and that such a close official to him had been an accomplice, but he hadn’t suspected that Adeone would make an example of Haster. He recognised that his friend would never have been easy ordering Haster’s execution as an unwitting accomplice but there was no way he could condone the captain’s actions either; to do so would send out the wrong message, if the events became known. Adeone had therefore realised, more swiftly than Landis, that he had to take such action as could never constitute a pardon for Haster. Even so, the action astonished Landis. He’d sworn a truth-binding fealty at the King’s coronation. If it were tested, he’d be compelled to speak the truth to the King; given the wrong circumstances, it could be life-changing. Honour-binding – usually reserved for new ennoblements – and speech-binding – which limited what a vassal could say – were rare. Life-binding terrified him; if the vassal ever broke the fealty, by thought or deed, then he would die where he stood. Some said there were other forms, the Rex Dallin was meant to have its own – valley-binding – but life-binding was the strictest and feared. From what he had gleaned as a boy, no-one had sworn it for over a hundred years.
The thoughts sped through Landis’ mind in an instant, and he’d hardly had time to absorb all the consequences before Adeone’s voice continued.
“Haster, do you accept these terms?”
The captain knelt, shaking slightly.
“No, Captain, this is sworn differently. You will need to stand. Ask Hillbeck to join us, please, Richardson.” A moment later, he said, “You are here as a witness, Sergeant.”
Hillbeck inclined his head and stood by the door. Inwardly, he began to unwind and even hope. If the King wanted a witness, he probably wasn’t going to be sent for execution.
The King turned Haster’s palms up as though in the first move of the salute before turning to his friend. “Defender, I’ll need your dagger.”
Landis knelt and drew his dagger, offering it hilt first to the King, before standing once more.
Adeone laid the weapon across the captain’s palms, placing his own hands palm down on top. He ensured Haster kept eye contact. “Do you hereby bind your mind, body and soul to the promise that treachery and treason will never again be part of you?”
“I do so bind.”
“Do you bind your very life itself to the promise?”
“I do so bind.”
“Do you swear to answer the call for assistance and to uphold the values of the empire?”
“I do so swear.”
“Do you swear to never, by word, thought or deed, plot harm to me, my immediate heirs and advocates?”
“I do so swear.”
“Do you swear to never enter into agreement with any, for purposes that might be, are, or will be, detrimental to the empire?”
“I do so swear.”
“Then your life is bound, your mind is held, your body will suffer torments and your soul will never be welcomed in the heavens if you are forsworn.”
Adeone glanced at Landis, who, swallowing slightly, removed the dagger with a swift movement. He knew how sharp it was and, when it was clear, he saw the drops of blood on the end. It was how it should be, but he still glanced at the King in apology.
