The tangles in Borisin’s mane were proving hard to brush out.

That’s what you get for skipping a day and leaving it to the terrible grooms here. What happened to getting me a personal groomer? I thought you said that was the boon you asked the Queen for.

Rudiger sighed and yanked harder.

Hey! That hurt!

“Sorry, I’m just… There was a reason for skipping yesterday, remember?”

“Not sure what you’re apologising for,” Hang said, “but Zandrue’s resourceful. I’m sure she’s okay.” He was leaning in the corner of the stall.

Rudiger sighed. “I was apologising to him.” He gave another yank on the brush, pulling through another tangle.

You are really not on your game today.

“Right, I know that,” Hang said. “Still haven’t gotten used to it, but I’m starting to recognise when it happens. I’m right about Zandrue, though. You know it.”

Rudiger nodded. “Yeah, I know.”

They had spent all day yesterday searching the entire Palace grounds—Rudiger, Hang, Gabby, Thilin, pretty much every single soldier in the Palace who wasn’t needed to guard the King and Queen. Even the Princes and Princesses were denied their usual bodyguards. But despite the number of people searching and the number of places searched, they found no sign of Zandrue or Dyle. Or the one with the ridiculous moustache. They had literally vanished, and they had not come back.

“She’ll make her way back here eventually.”

“Yeah.”

“You’ll still get that fancy royal wedding.”

“Yeah.” He really didn’t care about the wedding.

He’s right, you know.

“Huh?”

“I said you’ll still get that fancy wedding,” Hang said.

Not that part, Borisin said. The bit he said before that about Zandrue finding her way back here. If she’s alive, she’ll find her way back.

That’s the part I’m worried about, Rudiger said. The alive part.

Yeah, well, just gotta hope for the best. Now, about that personal groom…

Rudiger sighed. That’s going to take time, buddy.

Hang sprang to attention.

“Rudiger.”

Rudiger looked over to the stall gate.

It was Malef.

Rudiger stepped away from Borisin and started to bow.

Malef shook his head. “No, don’t worry about that. Keep on with what you were doing. Don’t let me interrupt you.”

Rudiger stepped back up to Borisin.

“May I come in?” Malef asked.

No way.

“Of course,” Rudiger said.

Oh, come on. He wanted to have me killed, remember?

He apologised for that, Rudiger said.

Malef opened the gate and stepped in. He didn’t look in good shape. He was dressed in a crisp military uniform, but his eyes were red and his thick hair dishevelled.

Doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven him. Borisin snapped at Malef, who backed away.

“Borisin!” Rudiger snapped.

He deserves it!

Rudiger turned to Malef. “Sorry about that.”

No, you’re not.

Yes, I am, Rudiger said.

Malef approached a little more cautiously. “That’s all right. I know he doesn’t like me much.”

That’s an understatement.

“He likes you well enough,” Rudiger said. “He’s just… Oh, who am I kidding? He doesn’t like you. Sorry.”

That’s more like it.

Malef chuckled. “Not your fault, Rudiger.”

Borisin snorted. That’s right. It’s your fault.

Malef turned to face Hang. “Hang, right?”

“That’s correct, your Highness. Alhang Merrin.”

“Leave us, please. I’d like to talk to Rudiger alone.”

Hang bowed. “Your Highness. I’ll catch you later, Rudiger.”

Rudiger nodded and Hang headed out of the stall.

Malef came up beside Rudiger, eyeing Borisin the whole time. “I’m sorry to hear about what happened to Zandrue. Annai is beside herself. Three friends she’s lost in just a few days. Poor thing.”

Rudiger resumed brushing Borisin. “Zandrue’s still alive.”

Malef nodded. “I hope you’re right.” He reached out to touch Borisin’s neck, but Borisin snorted again, and he pulled his hand back.

Rudiger didn’t pause in his brushing. “I hope so, too.”

They were quiet for the next minute or so. Rudiger made his way around to Borisin’s other side.

“Rudiger.” Malef’s face was completely obscured behind Borisin. He was a fairly tall man, but still not tall enough to see over Borisin.

“Yeah?” Rudiger said.

“I understand you’ve lodged one of the principal complaints against Lidda.”

Rudiger nodded even though he knew Malef probably couldn’t see. “That’s right.”

A few more moments of silence passed.

Malef edge round the front of Borisin, staying well back from the horse’s mouth. He came closer to Rudiger. “See, the thing I don’t understand is, the substance of your complaint is regarding an incident from well over a year ago.”

Rudiger nodded.

“Why didn’t you say something earlier? She’s been here over a month now. Why not make a complaint ages ago?”

“She the ruler of an entire province,” Rudiger said. “I didn’t think it was possible to make a complaint about such a person, and even if I could, I didn’t think anyone would believe me.”

“That makes sense, I suppose,” Malef said. “I asked her about that. She said many arrest warrants go past her all the time. She probably signed it without even paying attention to it. Now, I’m not saying you were guilty, Rudiger. There was probably a misunderstanding, but there’s no evidence she was actually involved in it at all.”

Rudiger wanted to suggest she could read the things she signed, but decided it was best not to. “We considered that, but we also learned other things about her.”

“What about after she arrived here?” Malef said. “Why not say something then? You had my ear.”

Rudiger stopped brushing Borisin. He faced Malef. “Because she had allies in the Palace, but we didn’t know who. We didn’t want to put anyone at risk from retaliation from those allies.”

“By allies, I take it you mean Darkers.”

Rudiger nodded. “Yeah.”

Malef shook his head. “I can’t believe she’s one. What evidence do you have?”

“Barnol Friaz—”

“Barnol Friaz is taking advantage of your accusations against her, trying to turn attention away from himself. Why wouldn’t he name her?”

Rudiger tried to think what to say. What would Malef even accept? “Here’s a better question. Why would I make up something like this?”

Malef clasped his hands behind him. “I don’t want to make accusations of my own, but I can think of a few reasons. Some sort of revenge for what happened in Tyl, perhaps? An attempt to deflect attention away from your own crimes out of fear she might recognise you? Am I getting close?”

Told you not to trust him. Borisin shifted his back end a couple steps so he was facing Malef.

Let me handled this, Rudiger said. “You really think I’d do that?”

Malef took a few steps away from Borisin. “I wouldn’t have, but now, I’m not so sure.”

“Zandrue and I just uncovered a whole bunch of Darkers in the Palace. Think I’d add one more name in there out of spite?”

“I don’t know what to think. I just know I could have thought clearer if you’d said something before...before I...damn it. What’s the point?” Malef turned around and stormed out of the stall.

Good riddance.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Rudiger sighed and resumed brushing Borisin. You’re not being fair.

Not fair? He accused you of being a criminal. He’s taking her side.

He’s in love.

Yeah, with a Darker.

He didn’t know that.

Borisin snorted. So? He found out and he should have stopped loving her.

It’s usually not that easy.

Bah!

Rudiger shook his head and continued brushing. They had an execution to attend.

* * * * *

The ride into Arnor City was pleasant, and Rudiger was glad to get away from the Palace for at least a little while. Zandrue’s disappearance still weighed heavily on him, but the cold air helped distract him a little. At least it wasn’t like in Ninifin. At least this time he didn’t think she’d run out on him. She could still be dead, though.

The King, Queen, princes, and princesses rode at the front of the procession in royal sleighs—surrounded, of course, by Kingsguard, some mounted, others in sleighs of their own. Hang was one of the mounted ones. Rudiger, Ned, and some other minor nobles came next, all mounted. Then came the carts carrying Barnol Friaz and other Darkers, followed by yet more soldiers. Captain DeSeloön rode at the very back.

People lined the streets as they passed. Some waved; a few cheered; many jeered. However, the jeering stopped when courtiers riding along the flanks began tossing coins into the crowd. They were only copper pennies, but people shoved and pushed against each other to get as many as they could.

They rode past the Cathedral of the Gods towards the city’s central square. Rudiger looked up at the tall front towers rising into the sky.

“Don’t worry,” Ned said. “Zandrue will turn up. You’ll still get your wedding.”

Rudiger nodded. “Yeah, thanks.”

Everyone kept telling him that. He was starting to tire of it.

They reached their destination a short while later—a wide, open market square. Rudiger was certain it had a name, but he couldn’t remember what it was. The market stalls were not present at the moment. Instead, at one end stood a large scaffold with gallows. At the back of the scaffold were several rows of raised benches.

The procession moved through the crowded square, people quickly moving aside to let them past. As the front end reached the scaffold, the soldiers spread out, forming a perimeter. The sleighs came to a stop and the Royal Family climbed out. The Kingsguard dismounted and formed their own perimeter around the Royal Family, who marched up the steps onto the scaffold. The King and Queen took seats in the centre of the top row of benches. Annai sat beside her mother, while Gabby, Malef, Pastrin, and Thilin sat in the row in front of them. The Kingsguard stood to either side of the benches.

At the base of the scaffold, servants already present began leading the horses away. The sleigh drivers moved the sleighs out of the way.

Rudiger took his time dismounting. A boy in Palace livery ran over to take Borisin’s reins.

Please don’t leave me with these incompetents, Borisin said.

There’s not really any choice, buddy. Just be nice, okay?

Borisin just snorted.

Ned joined Rudiger as they walked to the scaffold. “Bleak day for an execution.”

Rudiger hadn’t paid attention to the weather, but he looked up now. The sky was overcast, and it was bitterly cold as was typical for the time of year. At least it wasn’t snowing. “Guess so.”

They took seats in the second row. “Never sit in the front row,” Ned said. “Not if you want to avoid the blood spray.”

“Been to many of these things before?” Rudiger asked.

Ned shook his head. “No. First one.”

“Then how do you—”

“Just a bit of morbid humour,” Ned said.

The last noble to take a seat was Barnol Friaz’s wife, Betta. She was dressed in a heavy purple gown with a veil over her face.

Once the nobles had all sat, a muscular man nearly as tall as Rudiger ascended onto the scaffold. He carried a sword bigger than Slay. After him, soldiers escorted the prisoners who weren’t Barnol Friaz onto the scaffold. There were nine of them in total, five Palace servants and four guards. Rudiger couldn’t remember their names, and didn’t really care. He was just glad none of them were people who had served him or Zandrue directly, although one was one of Annai’s handmaids.

The soldiers marched the prisoners over to the gallows, where nine nooses were waiting. They led each prisoner to a spot under one of the nooses. Then another soldier went to each one and placed the noose around their neck.

Patriarch Ardon and a courtier ascended onto the scaffold. Ardon walked over and stood beside the rows of benches on the side nearest the gallows. The courtier went to the front centre and unrolled a sheet of paper. He stood there with the paper raised in front of him for several moments while the crowd in the square quieted down.

When there was near silence, he spoke, reading out nine prisoners’ names. His voice rang loud and clear. “You have all been found guilty of worshipping Night, Lord of Darkness, and aiding and abetting other worshippers in numerous plots against the members of the Royal Family, and the people of Arnor. You have been sentenced to hang until you are dead, sentence to be carried out immediately. May the gods forgive you your crimes. May Nature cradle you, Power lift you up, and All-Father judge you worthy of life everlasting.”

The courtier turned and looked to the King and Queen. Rudiger had to strain to look behind and see the King’s response. It was simply a slow nod.

The courtier then looked to the headsman. “You may carry out sentence.”

The headsman nodded and walked over to the gallows. He pulled a lever at the side and the floor of the gallows dropped out beneath the prisoners. They all dropped. Several went still almost immediately, their necks broken. Several others squirmed, their hands clutching at the nooses.

Ned groaned and put a hand to his mouth.

“You okay?” Rudiger asked.

Ned nodded, but looked away from the gallows.

After what seemed like ages, the last of the prisoners went still.

Then, two Kingsguard led Barnol Friaz onto the scaffold. He had a bag over his head. Once they reached the headsman, they pushed Barnol down onto his knees and removed the bag. He stared wide-eyed at the nobles and royalty seated in front of him.

“Barnol Friaz,” the courtier said, “son of Reginol Friaz, cousin to Lord Samma Friaz and his sister, our beloved Queen Annai, you have been found guilty of worshipping Night, Lord of Darkness, and aiding and abetting other worshippers in numerous plots against the members of the Royal Family, and the people of Arnor. The sentence is death by beheading. Do you have any final words?”

Barnol looked up, tears streaking his face and freezing in his beard. The courtier stood aside, allowing him to look directly at the King and Queen. He cleared his throat. “I wish only to make one small request.” His voice quavered and it was barely loud enough for Rudiger to hear; there was no way the crowd in the square could hear.

“Speak,” the King said.

“I ask that you look after my wife, my dearest Betta. She had no part in this and no knowledge of it. I do not wish her name sullied or that of my late daughter, Tianna. That is all.”

Rudiger and the other nobles looked behind them to see the King and Queen’s reaction. The two spoke quietly with each other for a minute. Then the King stood up. “Barnol Friaz, the Queen and I have seen fit to grant your last request. Your widow will be well looked after and her name will not be besmirched. As for you daughter, Tianna, it is our opinion she died a hero in defence of Arnor. Her name will be recorded in the history books and she will be revered forever more.” The King nodded to the courtier, then sat again.

The courtier stood in front of Barnol again. “Barnol Friaz, as stated, you have been sentenced to death by beheading. That sentence will be executed immediately. May the gods forgive you your crimes. May Nature cradle you, Power lift you up, and All-Father judge you worthy of life everlasting.” The courtier looked to the headsman. “You may carry out sentence.” The courtier walked away and joined Patriarch Ardon by the side of the benches.

Barnol reached into a pocket and pulled out a pouch. He pressed it into the headsman’s hand.

“What’s he doing?” Rudiger muttered. “Trying to bribe the headsman in front of everyone?”

The headsman took the pouch and tied it to his belt.

Ned chuckled. “Bribe, yes, but not in the way you’re thinking. It’s common practice. You’re paying the headsman to kill you quickly. If you don’t give him anything, he’ll slip up and take several swipes to hack your head off. Not a pleasant way to go. Pay him, and he takes it off in one go.”

Rudiger wished he’d never asked.

The headsman picked up the massive two-handed sword. He raised it into the air. “Remain as still as possible.”

Barnol nodded slightly, shivering on his knees. He began to mutter something.

The headsman took another moment—presumably judging the distance and how much resistance Barnol’s neck would offer. Then he swung down and Barnol’s head flew off his body and rolled across the scaffold.

Betta Friaz wailed.

The crowd cheered.

Ned put a hand over his mouth and began to heave. He turned aside and threw up over the bench. Several other nobles did the same, and the whole area soon smelled of vomit.

“First time watching someone die?” Rudiger said.

Ned wiped his face with a cloth and nodded. “I...oh gods.” He turned and threw up again. “I need to get out of here.” He joined the other nobles as they hurried off the scaffold.

Rudiger sat there a little longer. He didn’t want to be part of the procession back to the Palace.

The headsman was cleaning off his blade while soldiers carried Barnol’s body and head away.

“I want his head on a pike!” Annai screamed.

“Annai,” the Queen said, “because he cooperated, I promised that would not happen.”

“But mother! My three dearest friends are dead because of him. I want his head on a pike!”

“Enough, Annai!”

Annai ran from the scaffold, wailing.

Gabby sat beside Rudiger. “You know, I’ve seen a lot of executions, but never the beheading of a nobleman. It’s considered the most dignified and honourable way to go, but it’s also by far the most gruesome, let me tell you. How you doing?”

“Been better.”

“I bet. You didn’t have to come. You could have stayed back with Quilla. I almost wish I had.”

Rudiger shook his head. “Oh no. No way I was gonna miss this. Zandrue would have wanted to be here, and if she found out I skipped it, she’d never forgive me.”

Gabby laughed. “Yeah, I can believe that. Anyway, I have to head round to the courthouse and check on the state of the warrant against Lidda Plavin. Want to come with?”

Rudiger nodded. “Sure, why not? I don’t feel like going back to the Palace right away. Let me just collect Borisin first. He’ll scream bloody murder if I leave him with Palace staff too long.”

They headed off the scaffold to the side of the square where the horses were.

“Why does it take so long to write a warrant anyway?” Rudiger asked.

“It’s not the writing that’s the long part,” Gabby said. “For a lord of a province, we have to make sure the next of kin and other officials are aware of what’s happening and why, lest we risk rebellion. More importantly, we have to receive acknowledgement that her heir has been informed and is ready to take over.”

“Lidda Plavin has an heir?”

“Technically, no. But her younger brother is next in line for the Lordship. He counts as her de facto heir until she produces a real one.”

“What if he never acknowledges?”

Gabby shrugged. “I don’t actually know. I think there’s a time limit, after which we can act even without acknowledgement, but it’s not really my area of expertise. Father just wants me to go in a do a bit of strong-arming to make sure the lines of communication remain open. Make sure we’re maintaining pressure on Plavin-Tyl to respond.”

Thank the gods you’re here, Borisin said as they approached. They’re making me and the other horses stand way too close together. They’re just asking for a disaster.

“But Plavin-Tyl is how far from here?” Rudiger said. “It must take ages for messages to go back and forth.”

Gabby sighed. “I told you, Rudiger. Not my expertise. There are messenger ravens, I suppose. Plus, the Church has some fast method. They can get messages across the continent in a day or two. No idea how they do it. You could always ask Ardon. He won’t tell you, of course, but you can ask.”

Rudiger raised his hands. “Okay, okay. I’ll stop with the questions. Just trying to understand it all.” He took Borisin’s reins.

“That’s okay,” Gabby said. “Let’s get this over with.”

They found a horse for Gabby next, then went to the courthouse.