The Affairs of Mortals

Chapter 29

It took several days for the Marquise to receive a reply from her sister. Vero and Jean went back to the lodge where they had spent their happiest hours as they waited.

There was no telling how long they might have left together, so Vero was determined not to let a moment go to waste. They never left each other's side from the moment they had arrived. Eventually, the Queen's letter had reached them, and they returned to the city for the final act of Vero's plan.

Vero followed Jean, Mattie, and half a dozen of their knights into the apartment. The Earl of Kaer Longus stood up beside his bed and appeared distinctly unimpressed. The serving girl he was with cried out, threw a blanket over herself, and tried to flee the room. Vero directed one of the knights to grab her for later interrogation. The Guild did not hesitate to use prostitutes as their agents.

"I don't suppose you would all like to wait outside a moment while I dress?"

"No." Jean answered for them as a group.

"Well, there's no need to stand there looking fierce. Sit down, my Lord." The Earl made himself comfortable on the bed the girl had just vacated.

"You're very glib, Conrad."

"I presume you're here to see my royal pardon in person. You only needed to send a servant to fetch me and I would have brought it to you."

"You're a rapist, a coward, an assassin- and you attempted to kill my mistress. If you have reason why I shouldn't hang you, you would do better to be quicker about revealing it."

The Earl smiled and held up a finger. "I'm noble born, you can try and behead me if you like, but you can't hang me."

"Poison is a coward's weapon, and cowards die in disgrace."

The Earl had clearly been expecting this interview, but despite his earlier bravado, it did not seem to be proceeding as he intended. He was beginning to look unnerved.

"I don't know what you're talking about. And I believe you lack the whole story. There will be no trial. No one would believe any testimony from a witch anyway, and that's all you've got. You're within your rights to deny me any further hospitality. But eventually I will walk free from this estate, I guarantee it. I am a royal agent; my master will not allow any scandal to become public. I am but one link in a mighty chain. One that reaches right to the top."

"The weak link as it happens."

Jean made a motion and his men confiscated the Earl's sword, which lay with his discarded clothes. Another opened his chest and took the king's golden seal from inside. The Earl attempted to stop them from taking the seal, but Jean struck him across the face and pushed him back onto the bed.

The Earl looked utterly astounded that someone had hit him. "You have no right to treat me in this manner!"

The Marquise warmly pressed Vero's hand, before slipping into the room and joining her husband. "I've spoken to my sister, and she was shocked to hear about the atrocious and evil way you dealt with your own family. She spoke with her husband who was equally disturbed. Your pardon has been revoked, and we have royal orders to begin a swift investigation into the unfortunate matter of your sister's demise. It seems my husband already has some reliable intelligence as to who is responsible, so I expect the trial will be very swift indeed."

"Lies! All lies! He promised me-"

The Marquise interrupted him softly, but the Earl was silent at once to listen. "Your promises were contingent on you not being caught. Now that we have the confession of your assassin – and the Guild records of your gold payment to them – you've become something of an embarrassment as a royal agent. And not, it seems, one the king wishes to defend before an Assembly of Notables."