As the Nikean approached, Rahja briefly thought about turning around, but he had already seen her.
"You there," said the Nikean as he approached, "where is he? The priest."
Rahja swallowed. "I-I don’t know what you mean."
"Don’t play dumb with me, sister. I saw him come this way." He stood right next to her, his sword at the ready. "Give him up."
Now Rahja was getting angry. "He’s not here." she growled.
The Nikean pointed to the ground with his sword, where a puddle of blood had formed.
"That’s his blood." He raised his sword, pointing it at her neck. "Tell me where he is."
Suddenly, with a trained dancer’s grace, Rahja pirouetted. As she completed her spin, she pulled from the sash at her waist the sword she used when she danced. When she ended, she thrust the weapon into the Nikean.
"You’ll never know now." she snarled.
The Nikean tried to lunge at her, but stumbled, and collapsed in her doorway. He shuddered and died.
Rahja wasted no time. She dragged the corpse inside and put him under the same shroud as the Nameless Priest. She then quickly went to the stables where her prize Arabian was.
"Come on boy," she said as she mounted the horse. "We’ve got to get to the capital and fast." She spurred the horse into motion, praying this was the last Nikean she’d see in a while.
For a warrior king, times of peace could be grating. Sir Galadon muttered in bed, in the midst of some dream. The king conquered as he slept.
Dame Roselyn lay in bed awake. The business with Sir Theobald troubled her. Finally, she got up, pulled on her robe, and left the bedchamber.
She found a torch as she went to the prison. When she lit it, she noticed someone already at the door to the prison.
Dame Katherine Marshal stood at the doorway. When the torch caught, she turned around and saw Dame Roselyn. "I see I’m not the only one who’s been thinking about him." she said.
The Queen joined the Empress at the door to the prison. "Something’s not right. Let’s talk with Sir Theobald." Dame Roselyn pounded on the door to the prison. "Guard!" she called out.
The prison guard approached. He immediately recognized the two. "Your majesties?" he asked, somewhat incredulous.
"We wish to speak with the prisoner, Sir Theobald."
The guard looked surprised, but nonetheless opened the door. He gestured to them as they walked in, "Right this way, ladies."
They approached Sir Theobald’s cell. When they got there, Dame Katherine handed the guard a pouch of coins. "Open the door and forget you saw us."
The guard smiled and did as he was told.
Dame Roselyn entered the cell first, finding the knight on his knees, praying. She had to admit Squire Gregor had worked a near miracle. He looked much better than he did when the Nikeans had offered him up yesterday.
Sir Theobald opened his eyes as Dame Katherine followed the Queen in. "Your majesties?"
"Peace, Sir Theobald." stated the Empress. "We need to talk."
"You’re not going to try to talk me out of doing this, are you? The King gave me the right of trial by combat, and I’m going to take it."
"Well, we do wonder why you took this course over a conventional trial."
Sir Theobald smiled sadly. "Your majesties, I don’t have a case. I woke up next to the woman, killed with my knife. I may not have a motive, but I sure don’t have an alibi."
The two women faced him. "Look into my eyes, Sir Theobald." stated the Empress, "Tell me to my face you didn’t kill her."
Sir Theobald looked into her eyes. "Your majesty, I swear on my life and honor that I did not kill Sir Hector’s maid, Alice."
Dame Roselyn sighed. "We could pardon him. Sentence him the exile."
Sir Theobald shook his head. "No, your majesty, don’t. My innocence lies out there, on the battlefield tomorrow. I’ll get it then."
"I still think this is madness, but if it’s what’s you want, then so be it. The trial by combat will be held tomorrow. Don’t make me have Sir Kirigi raise your shade out of hell to berate you for not making the right choice."
Sir Theobald chuckled, then winced and grabbed his side. "Have no fear for me, your majesty. I’m innocent. My innocence will be proven."
The two women then left the cell and locked it. Both were a little more reassured, but neither wanted to sleep. "Shall we go to my drawing room and do some needlework?" asked the Queen. Dame Katherine nodded.