The rapid clatter of hooves at the door heralded the arrival of Sir Royal McBreheny and the Royal Physiker, Mistress Shanley. A stout woman with an incredible knowledge of medicine, she immediately took charge when she saw the situation. Sitting at the edge of the sick woman’s bed, she began looking over her patient, then placed her hand on the woman’s head. She was feverish.
"How long has she been like this?"
"About six hours."Harriet replied. "Please, is she going to be all right?"
Shanley looked at the woman. "I’ll do my best." She felt her temples and lymph nodes. "Has she eaten or drank anything since getting sick?"
Harriet shook her head. "No. She’s not been alert enough to eat. She was drinking some water when she got sick."
"Do you have it?"
Harriet brought over a bucket, half-full of water. Shanley sniffed the water, then tasted it, and spit it out. "Ugh" she remarked.
"Is the water tainted?" asked Sir Royal.
"Definitely," replied Shanley. "Someone’s put spoiled food in the water, poisoning it with botulism."
Harriet’s and Dame Aileen’s eyes went round. "I’ll get some messengers to spread the word about the wells here in Tara," said Sir Royal. He then took off.
Shanley opened her leather knapsack. "Fortunately, I can save your sister." She pulled out packets of herbs and a small jug of wine. "Aileen," she said, handing her a fragrant packet. "Grind this up and put it in the wine." She handed her the bottle. She looked at Harriet. "You. Help me get you sister sitting up. We’ve got to make her vomit up what she’s got in her stomach."
Sir Theobald had relaxed a great deal by the time he got to Yorba Linda. No garrison units had come for him; in fact he had not seen many people at all. Before he holed up in the family estate, he decided to go to a tavern for a drink, and something to eat.
As the road passed out of the hills, he saw ahead the pair of yellow arches, a sign of Ray Kroc’s chain of taverns. That seemed as good as place as any to eat.
The tavern, like the rest of its ilk, was brightly lit. A handful of people milled around the dining area. Some were the crew of the H.M.S. Hedgehog, others were foreigners. Each was armed with a sword, and wore elaborate quilted armor. They looked faintly Arabic, or Byzantine.
Jamie the Red and Rabbit saluted Sir Theobald from where they sat, but made no move to join him. Sir Theobald ordered his food and sat down at a table. He thought hard about the last few hours. Had it been only a few hours?
Shadows converged on him. Theobald looked up. The foreign men had come to his table. "Sir Theobald?" the lead man said in thickly accented English.
He nodded warily.
"You are under arrest."
Surprise and puzzlement shone on his face. "On whose authority? You’re not from Esperance or the Empire."
"On the authority of the Matriarch of the Nikeans." He gestured. "Get up."
Angered and puzzled, Sir Theobald got to his feet. "Who do you think you are? Until you become the law in Esperance, you won’t arrest me!"
The man put is hands on his hips. "You’re ours." He gestured to the four men with him. "Take him." As one, they drew their swords.
Sir Theobald went into action. He flipped the table at them, then vaulted backwards and drew his sword.
Two of his opponents, who were not hit by the table, rushed at him. Sit Theobald lunged at one and kicked the other in the gut, sending him backward. The first slashed at him, but Sir Theobald parried the blow.
The other three threw off the table and advanced. One thrust his blade at Sir Theobald, but suddenly a sword appeared, deflecting the blow.
Jamie the Red, Rabbit, and Jestar had approached, blades out, and ready for a fight. "Before you attack a citizen of Esperance," said Rabbit, "You’d best make sure he doesn’t have friends around!"
"Sir Theobald is a criminal!"
Jamie the Red shook his head in puzzlement. "Not the last time I checked!" declared Rabbit. "Get out now, or you won’t live to regret this!" Jamie the Red added.
The foreigners were fuming, but their leader said, "Very well. We’ll see you later." They left.
Sir Theobald exhaled. "Thanks, guys, but they’re right. I am a criminal. I’ve been framed for murder." He got his food and headed for the door.
"You need our help?" Jamie asked.
Sir Theobald smiled. "Thanks, but no. You shouldn’t get involved." He left.