The crowd quieted as they struggled to hear.
“How is it possible that two killers slipped inside the castle unnoticed, stabbed the king to death, and, despite being caught and locked in the dungeon, were able to escape? This in itself is incredible, because the cell in which they were locked was heavily guarded by skilled soldiers. Not only were they imprisoned, they were also chained by their wrists and ankles to the wall. But what is beyond amazing, what is beyond belief, is that after managing their miraculous escape, the two did not flee! No, indeed! Informed while in captivity that they would be drawn and quartered at dawn—a most painful and gruesome death, to be certain—for their most heinous crime, these two killers remained in a castle filled with hundreds of soldiers ready to thrust them back into their cell. Rather than flee for their lives, instead they sought out the prince, the most heavily guarded and high-profile personage in the castle, and kidnapped him! I ask you again, how is this possible? Were the castle guards asleep? Were they so totally incompetent as to let the killers of the king walk out? Or could it be that the assassins had help?
“Could a guard have done this? A foreign spy? Even a trusted baron or earl? No! None of them would have the authority to enter the dungeon to see the killers of the king, much less free them. Nay, gracious lords, no person in the castle that night had the authority to enter those jails so easily, save one—Princess Arista! Being the daughter of the victim, who could deny her the right to spit in the faces of the men who murdered her father so brutally? Only she wasn’t there to defile the killers; she came to help them finish the job she started!”
The crowd murmured.
“This is an outrage!” an elderly man protested from the bleachers. “To accuse the poor girl of her father’s death … You should be ashamed! Where is she? Why is she not present to dispute these claims?”
“Lord Valin,” the lawyer addressed him, “we are honored to have you with us today. This court will call the princess forth shortly. She is not here for the presenting of facts, as it is a tedious and unpleasant matter, and this court does not want the princess to endure it. Likewise, those called to testify can speak freely, without the presence of their future queen, should she be found innocent. And there are still other, more unpleasant reasons, upon which I will elaborate in due time.”
This did not appear to change Lord Valin’s mood, but he made no further protest and sat back down.
“The court of Melengar calls Reuben Hilfred to testify.”
The lawyer paused as the big soldier, still dressed in ring mail and the tabard of the falcon, stood before the court. His stance was proud and straight, but his expression was anything but pleased.
“Hilfred,” the lawyer addressed him, “what is your position here at Essendon Castle?”
“I am personal bodyguard to Princess Arista,” he told the court in a loud clear voice.
“Tell us, Reuben, what is your rank?”
“I am sergeant-at-arms.”
“That’s a fairly high rank, isn’t it?”
“It is a respected position.”
“How did you attain this rank?”
“I was singled out for some reason.”
“For some reason? For some reason?” the lawyer repeated, laughing gaily. “Is it not true you were recommended for promotion by Captain Wylin for your years of consistent and unwavering loyalty to the crown? Moreover, is it not true that the king himself appointed you to be his daughter’s personal bodyguard after you risked your life and saved Arista from the fire that killed the queen mother? Were you not also presented with a commendation for bravery by the king? Are not all these things true?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I sense in you a reluctance to be here, Reuben. Am I correct?”
“Yes, sir.”
“It is because you are loyal to your princess, and you do not wish to be a part of anything which might harm her. That is an admirable quality. Still, you are also an honorable man, and as such, you must speak truthfully in your testimony before this court. So tell us, Reuben, what happened the night the king was murdered?”
Hilfred shifted his weight uncomfortably from one foot to the other and then took a breath and spoke. “It was late, and the princess was asleep in her bed. I was on post at the tower stairs when the king was found. Captain Wylin ordered me to check on Princess Arista. Before I reached her door, she came out, startled by the noise.”
“How was she dressed?” the lawyer asked.
“In a gown, I am not sure which.”
“But she was dressed? Was she not? Not in a robe or nightclothes?”
“Yes, she was dressed.”
“You have spent years guarding Arista. Have you ever known her to sleep in her gowns?”
“No.”
“Never?”
“Never.”
“But I assume you have no doubt stood outside her door when she went to dress for meals or to change after traveling. Does she have servants to help her dress?”
“Yes.”
“How many?”