Chapter Twenty-Six - Allies #2
Rosamund nodded her understanding. They could not truly be a part of this.
It would put their own interests at too much risk.
Even sending Emrys was risky, but she was glad to have him there.
His knowledge of the court, of the people surpassed even Elswyth’s.
Even more so, his understanding of House Mordane and their power.
Wulf still did not like it and took a few steps towards the other knight. He was about a head taller than Emrys, but the smaller man did not back down, looking up at the sandy haired knight with an amused expression.
“So the coward sends his little lap dog instead?”
“Wulf!” chastised Rosamund.
But Emrys only laughed, “as I recall, you’re more dog than I sir.”
“Would you like to see?” asked Wulf with a growl.
“Don’t threaten me with a good time,” replied Emrys.
“Enough,” said Rosamund, her words cutting across the room towards them, “we don’t have time for this.”
Wulf had the decency to look a little embarrassed whilst Emrys continued to look delighted by the whole situation.
“Princess Marianne and I are ready to do whatever is required,” said Emrys, still holding the other knight’s gaze, as the young Princess nodded nervously beside him, “and we vow that anything we see or hear here will be forgotten or else taken to our graves.”
His words carried such conviction, such determination that she saw even Margot give a nod.
Wulf still glared at the other knight warily but retreated to Rosamund’s side.
As the tension in the room began to ease, Corvin said, “to return to the matter at hand. No, Sir Wulf, you cannot storm the Onyx tower,” Wulf let out a huff of frustration, “for starters, beyond it being a ridiculous idea, we are not even certain that is where he is being held.”
“It is,” said Emrys as all eyes turned to him, “I overheard Cedric mention it to Aurelian last night when he visited Larkspire. Cedric has him under constant guard. Not just his men, Gawain has sent his Templars.”
There was a grumble of discontent and Rosamund asked, “Is that unusual?”
“The Templars are usually only brought in to deal with Heretics,” explained Emrys, “which, along with whatever other accusations they plan to level at Dorian, will likely include one of heresy.”
“So not content to call him a traitor, they’ll burn him as a heretic,” said Mrs Hawthorn with a disgust she did not think the older woman was capable of.
“What are the accusations?” asked Rosamund.
Corvin cleared his throat and handed her a sheaf of papers, “He is primarily accused of betraying King Ovidian and the Kingdom of Valdyr by assisting in the attempted escape of the Valehart sons. There are other additional charges, such as theft of resources from his fellow prince’s, withholding valuable resources from the kingdom, and yes, consorting with witches, which is where the heresy charge will come in.
We cannot know for certain if they have proof on any of these, but what they have on their primary charge is enough for it not to matter. ”
The Onyx Tower schematics. The plans she had taken from Dorian’s office.
Even if she were to confess that she was the one to place them in Lord Darnwell’s hands the plans had still originated from Dorian’s office.
There was paperwork with Dorian’s signature, Cedric had confirmed that his brother had requested the schematics the night of Lavinia’s salon.
From what Corvin said, Bastian had all he needed to prove Dorian’s treachery.
“So, they’ll execute him?”
She felt Wulf lay a hand on her shoulder and tried to ignore the sympathetic look from others around the table.
“Not without a trial,” said Emrys gently, “for all that they think they have this in the bag, Dorian is still a Prince of the blood.”
Corvin nodded in agreement, “he will be tried before a council of the other Prince’s who will return their verdict.”
“Bastian will ensure it is a spectacle,” said Marianne bitterly, “he’ll jump at the chance to humiliate Dorian, and he’ll drag the rest of them in too.”
The princess looked glumly down at her hands. No doubt she was thinking of Osric, so easily led by his elder brothers. She had said that things had been better between them, that they had spoken. Would it still be the same after this trial?
“Will the Prince’s pass his sentence also?” asked Rosamund as she sat back in her chair, hands pressed together in front of her as an idea began to take form.
“No, that would be the King,” said Corvin.
“Though he is unlikely to attend in person,” added Emrys, “he never does. More likely he will invest his authority in someone else. One of his sons, Gawain perhaps.”
Marianne shook her head, “there is no way Bastian won’t grab it for himself.”
“I’m afraid the princess may be right,” said Emrys, conceding the point with a sigh, “not that it matters who passes the sentence. There’s only one for traitors.”
“So, we’re fucked,” said Wulf, “can we revisit the storming the tower plan now?”
“No,” said Corvin, Emrys and Marianne at once.
Wulf groaned in frustration as Corvin explained, “if Dorian is proven guilty then his lands are forfeit. The Veil, The Umbral, it all reverts to King Ovidian to be redistributed as he sees fit.”
“He has to be proven innocent, or everything will be handed over to Bastian,” said Emrys leaning on the table.
“I will not let him die,” growled Wulf as he matched the man’s pose, “I’ll tear that tower apart before I see them march him to the block.”