Michael Sullivan - The Crown conspiracy

"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 of which I will elaborate upon 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 night clothes?"

"Yes, she was dressed."

"You've spent years guarding Arista. Have you ever known her to sleep in her gowns?"

"No."

"Never?"

"Never."

"But I assume you've 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?"

"Three."

"And how long is the fastest you recall her dressing?"

"I am not certain."

"Make a guess, the court will not hold you to the exact time."

"Perhaps twenty minutes."

"Twenty minutes with three servants. That is actually quite fast considering all the ties and toggles that require lacing for most ladies' clothing. Now how long would you say it was between the discovery of the king's body and the time the princess came out of her room?"

Hilfred hesitated.

"How long?" the lawyer persisted.

"Perhaps ten minutes."

"Ten minutes, you say? And when she came out of her room, how many servants were with her?"

"None, that I saw."

"Amazing! The princess woke up unexpectedly in the dark and managed to dress herself fully in a lavish gown in ten minutes without the help of a single servant!"

The lawyer paced the floor, his head down in thought, a finger tapping his lips. He paused with his back to Hilfred. Then, as if a sudden thought occurred to him, he spun abruptly.

"Tell us, how did she take the news of the king's death?"

"She was shocked."

"Did she weep?"

"I am sure she did."

"But did you see her?"

"No."

"Then what happened?"

"She went to Prince Alric's chambers to find him and was surprised he wasn't there. She then-"

"Please stop there just a minute. She went to Alric's chambers? She learns her father is murdered and her first inclination is to go to her brother's room? Did you not find it odd she didn't immediately rush to her father's side? After all, no one suggested any harm had come to Alric, had they?"

"No."

"What happened next?"

"She went to view her father's body, and Alric arrived."

"After the prince sentenced the prisoners to death, what did the princess do?"

"I don't understand what you mean," Hilfred replied.

"Is it true she went to visit them?" the lawyer questioned.

"Yes, she did."

"And were you with her?"

"I was asked to wait outside the cell."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"Has she often asked you to wait outside when speaking with people?"

"Sometimes."

"Often?"

"Not often."

"Then what happened?"

"She called for monks to give last rights to the murderers."

"She called for monks?" the lawyer repeated with a clear note of skepticism in his voice. "Her father is murdered and she is concerned about the murderers' souls? Why did she call for two monks? Was one not sufficient to do the job for both? For that matter, why not call the castle priest?"

"I don't know."

"And did she also order the murderers unchained?"

"Yes, to be able to kneel."

"And when the monks entered the cell did you go with them?"

"No, again she asked me to remain outside."

"So, the monks could enter, but not her trusted bodyguard? Not even when the known killers of her father were unchained and free? Then what?"

"She came out of the cell. She wanted me to stay behind and escort the monks to the kitchen after they were done giving last rites."

"Why?"

"She didn't say."

"Did you ask?"

"No, sir. As a man-at-arms, it is not my place to question the orders from a member of the royal family."

"I see, but were you pleased with these orders?"

"No."

"Why?"

"I was fearful more assassins might be in the castle, and I didn't wish the princess to be out of my sight."

"In point of fact, wasn't Captain Wylin in the process of searching the castle for additional threats, and didn't he make everyone aware he felt the castle was unsafe?"

"He did."

"Did the princess explain to you where she was going so you could find her after performing your duty to the monks?"

"No."

"I see. And how do you know the two you escorted to the kitchens were the monks? Did you see their faces?"

"Their hoods were up."

"Did they have their hoods up when they entered the cell?"

Hilfred thought a moment and then shook his head. "I don't think so."

"So, on a night when her father is killed, she orders her personal bodyguard to leave her unprotected and to escort two monks down to the empty kitchens-two monks who decided suddenly to pull their hoods up inside the castle, hiding their faces? And what about the murderers' possessions? Where were they?"

"They were in the custody of the cell warden."

"And what did she say to the warden concerning them?"

"She told him she was going to have the monks take them for the poor."

"And did they take them?"

"Yes."

The lawyer softened his address. "Reuben, you don't strike me as a fool. Fools don't rise to the rank and position you have achieved. When you heard the killers escaped, and the monks were found chained in their place, did it cross your mind that maybe the princess had arranged it?"