The Black Knight and the Rose

A.D. 1386. Innocent of Lady Marguerite de Thibouville's accusation of the hideous crime of rape, French knight Jacques Le Gris doesn't want to face her angry husband Jean De Carrouges in a trial by combat, a duel that should determine, by God's judgement, who's telling the truth. Jean has been his best friend, Jacques owes him his life and vice versa more times that he cares to count, and has even been his eldest son's godfather. For all these reasons, Jacques doesn't want to kill Jean to prove his innocence, which would also mean that Marguerite would burn on the stake because convicted of perjury. Despite her lies, Jacques doesn't want to be responsible of her death. Of course, there's the chance that Jean kills Jacques, and he's not willing to die because of a false accusation. Jacques' only option is therefore to go on the run, even if this means being considered a coward and guilty anyway. As King Charles VI of France had been very reluctant to allow the judicial duel, Jacques thinks that, perhaps, if he takes the flight leaving behind a note explaining his reasons, the sovereign will understand and possibly agree with his act, if not pardon it.
Taking all of his money and easily transportable values, Jacques secretly leaves France and moves to the Republic of Venice, where he plans to offer his services to an old acquaintance of his, Count Galeotto Malatesta of Valdastico...
(Cover and all AI generated images created by a friend who wishes to remain anonymous)