Dawn broke over Esperance, and the populace filled the tournament grounds of the Kingdom. Several nobles from other kingdoms had come, along with The Emperor and Empress, and the Nikeans, led by Irene and Ostofrid.
Sir Reilly MacBellschie and Gerhard Lagersuurfer were silent as they set up the combat eric. This was a notable day, when the rules of the tournament were swept aside and the accused, Sir Theobald, fought for his life and innocence. Sir Reilly had spent most of yesterday confirming that Marulk, the Nikean fighter who had been allowed to accept Sir Theobald's challenge, was indeed qualified for this. He had to admit, Marulk was supremely qualified.
Pierre, Elaine, and Llewelyn came together. It was a calculated risk, but they deemed it necessary to see their plans come to fruition. Pierre now sat with the other nobles, while Elaine and Llewelyn roamed among the populace.
When the hour came, Rasmo Lagersuurfer called for the attention of the populace. Sir Galadon rose and spoke:
"Good populace, today we shall see justice done. By my will and the desires of the accused, trial by combat shall take place this day. Sir Coda, would you bring forth the accused?"
Sir Coda bowed and left. Irene was called forward to the court.
Sir Royal stood up. "Irene, as matriarch of the Nikeans, is the challenger here, ready, and still willing to accept?"
Marulk stood up, and walked forward to stand beside her. "My lord," she said, "He is." Marulk grinned in an unsettling manner.
Sir Reilly took Marulk to the combat eric. As he left, Irene continued, "Your majesties, we hope that today, as we enforce the laws of Adria, that any unpleasantness which occurs shall not damage our wish to become members of the glorious empire."
Sir Jehan stood up. "No, no, Irene. That has already been decided."
Some members of the populace applauded.
Sir Coda returned, with Sir Theobald, already in his armor, and Sir Talon guarding him. Sir Theobald came up and bowed before the assembled nobility.
Sir Royal said, "Sir Theobald, you stand accused of murder. How do you plead?"
After a long pause, he replied, "Not guilty."
Sir Royal sighed. "Then let the trial by combat proceed. Sir Coda, Sir Reilly, and Sir Talon will officiate the proceedings." He sat down.
Sir Theobald was led to the eric. He drew his sword from its scabbard and swung a few times. He then settled into a fighting stance and faced his opponent.
Elaine nudged her way into a good view of the combat.
Sir Coda, Sir Reilly, and Sir Talon took up strategic positions around the eric. Marulk leveled his spear at Sir Theobald.
Sir Reilly finally spoke. "Gentlemen, for justice, lay on."
With a savage war cry, Marulk lunged at the knight. Sir Theobald blocked the spear thrust with sword and swiveled to one side to avoid Marulk's rush. With Marulk at an angle, he chopped.
But Marulk was fast. He brought the haft of his spear around and took Sir Theobald's blow easily. He turned, and stood ready.
Sir Theobald swung again. He clove the air around him, swinging his sword in an arc. He then changed the direction of the arc in mid-swing, setting up to cleave into Marulk’s stomach.
Marulk grinned and stepped outside Sir Theobald’s range. He then shoved his spear forward.
Desperately, Sir Theobald twisted to one side to avoid the blow. Marulk missed him by inches.
Marulk did not wait. Using his spear like a staff, he swept out with it, knocking the already unsteady knight off his feet. Sir Theobald fell heavily.
Marulk stepped forward to finish it. He raised his spear over Sir Theobald. Gasps came from the crowd.
Suddenly, there was the rapid tattoo of hoofbeats. A voice screamed out, "STOP!"
Rahja Amina bint Husam of Basir galloped into the tournament area. She reined in her horse in front of the Emperor and Empress.
"Your majesties! Sir Theobald is innocent!"
Sir Royal stood up. "Sir Reilly, Sir Coda, Sir Talon, separate them." When they did so, he motioned to Rahja, "Continue."
Rahja gulped air. "Her Imperial Highness Dame Lyonene la Rose Noir, overheard a conversation by outsiders. They are the ones who murdered Sir Hector’s maid. They and the Nikeans are planning to drag Adria in the war between France and England."
Sir Jehan turned to Irene. "Is this true?"
Irene attempted to laugh. "The girl is mad."
Rahja came forward. "This letter was written by Dame Lyonene herself. Her courier was killed by one of the Nikeans." She handed the letter to Dame Katherine, who was separated by The Emperor from Irene.
She quickly scanned the letter. "Guards!" she cried out. "Find Pierre de Montrose, and his servants, Llewelyn, and Elaine.
A ring of swords appeared around Pierre and Llewelyn. People looked around for Elaine.
A startled gasp came from the edge of the crowd. Elaine held Dame Aileen O’Kelly, with a knife to her throat. "Alright, everyone, get back, or Tara’ll be missing someone permanently."
Sir Royal reflexively went to his wife, but Elaine backed away, still holding her. "Alright, your ladyship, we’re going on a little ride together." She started towards the horses.
From behind Elaine came a flash of steel. Elaine’s head went one way, her body collapsed in another. Dame Aileen sprawled on the ground.
Sir Hector stood over the woman he’d decapitated. "That, madam, was for my maid." He quickly helped Dame Aileen to her feet. "Are you all right?" he asked her.
She drew a shaking breath and nodded. Sir Royal rushed forward and embraced her.
When things had calmed down, Sir Jehan turned to Irene. "Irene, in light of these new circumstances, your application is denied. You have one hour to leave Esperance, and I want you and the rest of the Nikeans out of Adrian territory within a week.
Irene shook her head. "You-you and this inane monarchy. Without it you, indeed, this empire, could be so much better."
"That’s where you’re wrong. Unlike Europe, Adria’s rulers are selected by the will of the populace. I would not be their monarch had they not wished it, nor would I want to be any longer than they would have me. Now get out of my sight."
Irene sighed. She spoke out in the Nikean language, and then picked up and left. The entire Nikean entourage followed her.
When the Nikeans had left, Dame Roselyn stood up. Good populace, we were going to have a party to celebrate the Nikeans joining us, but now, our party will be for the timely arrival of Rahja and Sir Theobald’s innocence. Meet us at the royal palace at 7:00 p.m."
A cheer went up from the populace.
Later, the party was in full swing. The assembled populace seemed to want to purge the last traces of the day from their minds. Rahja was congratulated many times, and Sir Theobald and Sir Hector exchanged apologies.
After a while, Sir Theobald went out on the balcony, and stared into the sunset, thinking hard about what had happened.
The curtain stirred and Maeve, Sir Kirigi’s daughter, came out on the balcony. "Sir Theobald?" she asked.
He looked at her, and then turned back to the view. "I was just thinking, Maeve. I didn’t realize there was so much evil in the world. An innocent woman is dead because it was convenient."
She walked up to him and pulled at his doublet. "My mama died when I was young. Daddy says that bad men killed her because they were afraid, but I can’t judge everyone by those bad men. There’s lots of good in the world, as well."
Sir Theobald sighed.
"Now, you have to come inside. There’ll be dancing soon, and daddy dances like a mule."
Slowly, Sir Theobald grinned. Finally, he broke out in laughter and hugged her, then scooped her up.
"Tell me, my dear, has your father ever entertained a marriage proposal for you?"
Maeve grimaced. "Marriage? Eww."
"Well, we’ll just have to talk about it with him, won’t we?"
Still holding her, he went back inside, into the party.