This time Archibald chuckled. “My, but I do appreciate your ability to think big. I can see there would be many advantages to my joining with you. Do you really have your sights on the title of emperor?”
“Why not? If I’m poised to conquer, the Patriarch will be eager to throw his allegiance to me, just as the church did with Glenmorgan. If I promise certain rights to the church, he may even declare me the heir. Then no one will stand against me. In any case, this is for another day. We are getting ahead of ourselves.” Braga turned his attention toward the bishop. “I want to thank you, Your Grace, for arranging this meeting. It was very educational. But now it’s nearly midmorning, and I think it’s time to get Arista’s trial under way. I would, however, like to invite you to stay, Archibald. As it turns out, I think I may be able to offer you a gift to show you my commitment to you as a newfound friend of Melengar.”
“I’m flattered, my lord. I’d welcome the opportunity to spend time with you, and I’m sure whatever gift you may have will be a generous one.”
“You mentioned the thieves who spoiled your move against Victor Lanaklin called themselves Riyria?”
“Yes, I did. Why do you ask?”
“Well, it appears we share a common interest in these two rogues. They have also been a rather painful thorn in my own side. As you already discovered, they pay no respect to people who hire them, and are willing to turn against their employers. I, too, hired them for a task and now find them working against me. I have reason to believe they may be coming here today, and I have set plans in motion to capture them. If they do indeed make an appearance, I’ll try them along with Arista. It’s quite possible all three will be burning at the stake by early evening.”
“You are, indeed, most generous, my lord,” Archibald replied with a nod of his head and a smile on his lips.
“I thought you might enjoy that. You mentioned when you arrived that Alric is dead, and that’s indeed the notion I’ve been circulating. Unfortunately, it’s not so—that is, not yet. Arista actually arranged for those thieves to smuggle Alric out of this castle on the night of Amrath’s death. I believe he has hired them and they will attempt to save her. Evidence indicates they used the sewers to exit the castle, so I’ve taken extra precautions there. The grate in the kitchen has been sealed, and Wylin, the captain of the castle guard, waits with his best men hidden to close the river grate behind them. I even failed to post guards near there, to make it more enticing. With luck, the fool of a prince might actually play the boyish hero and come with them. If he does—checkmate!”
Archibald nodded with obvious pleasure. “You really are very impressive.”
Braga raised his glass in tribute. “To me.”
“To you.” Archibald drank to Braga’s health.
There was a loud pounding on the door. “Come!” Braga called, irritated.
“Lord Chancellor!” One of Braga’s hired soldiers burst into the room. His cheeks and nose were red, his armor dripping wet. On his head and shoulders a small bit of snow remained.
“Yes? What is it?”
“The wall guard reports footprints in the snow leading to the river near the sewers, my lord.”
“Excellent,” Braga replied, draining his glass. “Take eight men and support Captain Wylin from the river. I don’t want them escaping. Remember, if the prince is with them, kill him on sight. Don’t let Wylin stop you. Either way, I want the thieves alive. Lock them in the dungeons and gag them as before. I’ll use them as further incriminating evidence against Arista and burn the whole lot together.” The soldier bowed and left.
“Now, gentlemen, as I was saying, let’s join the magistrate and the other nobles. I’m anxious to get this trial under way.” They all stood, and walking three abreast, they exited the large double doors as one.
The morning sun, magnified by the snow, entered the river grate as a stark white light. The wintry radiance splintered along the glistening ceiling, revealing ancient stone caked in mildew and moss. The frozen sweat of the sewer walls reflected the light, bouncing it back and forth until at last it scattered into the all-consuming darkness. In the gloom, the soldiers waited, crouching and cold. Their feet were ankle-deep in filthy cold water, which streamed between their legs, running from the castle drains to the river. For the better part of four hours, they lingered in silence, but now they could hear the sound of footsteps approaching. The sloshing of the dirty water echoed off the sewer walls, and the distant movement of shadows played upon the stone.