Nobility Chapter 24

Daniel nearly cried out in shock at the news, clamping his jaw shut to contain himself.

Sir Reuben, on the other hand, was quick to speak, his words echoing Daniel’s own thoughts. “Most discerning lord, it falls to us to examine all evidence most assiduously, but wisdom suggests primary question to guide such investigation: What could your noble neighbor hope to gain by your death?”

Aidan rested his chin on his hand, his brow furrowed. “A reasonable question, Sir Reuben. I’ve rarely spoken with Lord Hector, perhaps not enough to guess his motives. I’ve always sensed he was jealous of my wealth and holdings, and his ways are more traditional than mine, but I have never read spite enough to think he would do murder.”

“Lord Hector can be a brute, my lord,” Daniel added, finding his voice. “He’s often a harsh master and not always fair. In a life of complaints against him, though, I’ve never heard any accusation as wicked as murder. Honestly, I’m not sure he’s savvy enough for a plot like this anyway. If he wanted you dead I think he’d find some offense as an excuse to call you out to duel.”

The lord sighed. “I can afford no assumptions. My first concern in Reuben’s report is the damage to your village, Daniel. Will your people have anywhere to go?”

“They can take refuge with Lord Hector, unless other soldiers arrived to besiege him. If that happened…” Daniel trailed off, his eyes distant. He couldn’t force himself to say what they all knew: if more enemies had arrived, the fate of the villagers, including Daniel’s own family, was in serious jeopardy.

“Whatever the threat to me, I’m loath to leave honest folk without aid or defense. I will send men to learn what has transpired as soon as possible. Alas, I can’t yet risk sending warriors. Even if all is well, in the present turmoil such a move could easily be misinterpreted and lead to bloodshed.”

Daniel felt disappointed that Aidan’s professional fighters wouldn’t be dispatched immediately, fearing they would be needed, but he held his tongue. “Whatever you can do is appreciated, Lord.”

The scribe returned and reported that another of the lord’s men, Rolf, was on his way into the town to summon Captain Jacob. Aidan dictated orders for the reconnaissance of Hector’s keep and surrounding environs, then ordered these to be given to half a dozen names that were clearly known to the scribe. Once again the functionary scurried away to do his master’s bidding. No sooner had he departed than the chief steward, whom Daniel had seen at the banquet, entered the room only a tiny step and asked if Lord Aidan or his guests desired any food or drink to be brought. Aidan nodded his agreement, and the steward departed once more.

Having missed breakfast, Daniel was suddenly glad a meal was on its way. Everyone sat with their silent thoughts, and in a few minutes servants returned with boards of food and tankards of small beer for the assembly. The bounty of Corngold’s tables was again in evidence, and all ate their fill of bread, cheese, and meat. Daniel noticed Roland nibbled like a bird, and whether this owed to his ongoing anxiety or some monastic vow he could not be sure.

At length Captain Geoffrey returned with William, who awaited no invitation in setting himself to the leftover food, and made a quick bow. “My lord,” he reported, “I left men to comb the troupe’s campsite more thoroughly, but I have an initial report.”

“Let’s hear it, then.”

“I found nothing unusual, but several travelers camped in the area report that the troupe leader packed up the wagon and absconded only minutes after the performers were admitted into the manor.”

“What?” Rebekah called in alarm. “That can only mean… Apologies, m’lord,” she concluded realizing she spoke out of turn.

“Not at all, girl, say on,” Lord Aiden responded. “I suspect you voice all our thoughts.”

“That means,” Rebekah continued, “Richard was hanging the rest of the troupe out to dry, so to speak. He knew they’d be caught, or even wanted them to be.”

Aidan nodded. “Most curious.”

The door began to fly open, striking Geoffrey in the back and knocking him forward into the table. He turned and half-drew his sword, then stayed it upon seeing who entered. It was an older man, his sandy hair going gray, with a weathered face and small, shrewd eyes. His uniform resembled Geoffrey’s but was less smartly kept. The man’s face was red, and though he appeared healthy of build he wheezed a bit as he moved past the captain of the guard with apologies and bowed to Lord Aidan. “Apologies, my lord, to keep you waiting. I came as soon as I could.”

Aidan’s face was hard as he replied. “I have had distressing reports of attempted murder and brawling in my streets, Captain Jacob, to say nothing of the attempt on my life last night. As captain of the town guard, I give you the courtesy of an opportunity to explain these failures.”

“I am sorry, Lord. I haven’t slept since yesterday morn; as you know, two of my informants were found dead the prior night, and all my attention has been on the investigation of this crime.”

“As I know?” Aidan rebutted. “I would certainly have liked to know of something so suspicious, but I do not. Explain yourself.”

“My lord, I sent a messenger to Captain Geoffrey…” Jacob turned to his counterpart in the manor. Geoffrey shook his head meaningfully. “Then I fear,” Jacob continued, “that I will soon find the body of a third friend and confidante. Or else the treason aimed at your lordship found its way into my own ranks as well.”

“What else have you learned then?” Aidan demanded. Daniel could see the lord’s insistence on probing into the pressing matters at hand, but he suspected the consequences for Captain Jacob had not yet all been meted out.

Jacob’s report tumbled out in a rush. Daniel saw the same anxiety in him that he’d seen in Sir Reuben when entering the banquet hall and suspected Captain Jacob was more used to gathering intelligence in taverns and shops than in reporting it to his superior. “Reliable witnesses report the movement of a handful of black-robed men throughout the city over the past few days, no one sighting suspicious in isolation but concerning as a pattern. My men are requestioning everyone now to construct the chronology of their movements. Shortly before dawn a trio of men attempted to slip over the wall in the dark. They were caught by a patrol, and two were killed. A third made it over, and two guards climbed down after to track him. He moved with uncanny speed, but they trailed him to the edge of the forest. One returned to report to me, the other waits on the spot for the reinforcements I dispatched just before I came here. One of the men killed on the wall carried this.” He stepped forward and handed a bronze medallion to Lord Aidan. He pondered it’s surface for a moment before handing it to Daniel. “What do you make of this?”

Daniel picked up the medallion and peered at it, his heart beating faster as he looked at the letters embossed in the metal surface. The sword crooned with something like concern as Daniel blushed to his ears. Lord Aidan, in his egalitarian way, had given Daniel well-deserved credit in many things, but he had overestimated him in one: The miller’s son could not read.