"Who are these offenders? What man among you will speak for them? What is known of them?" Erec began.

"Sir Cameron and I were chosen to speak for those men of our number who are recently under contract to the King. We were serving out our contracts with honor, Milord. Until the day that our lords received royal summons. Our contracts were cancelled and we were ordered to convene in Brecken Moors Hall. We were ten in number when we left to travel together to report to the king."

"Aye, Milord." Sir Bennett continued. "These offenders were of our number when we left Brecken Moors Hall. But no one of us had any prior knowledge of the others, save some by reputation. However, these offenders are unknown by any name to the seven of us who remain."

"Reputation. Aye." Erec nodded, "I know you by reputation, Sir Bennett and I was at Brecken Moors Hall when Sir Cameron swept the tourney two years past, when he defeated all contenders and took the golden prize."

"And the gentle lady's kiss. Sir Cameron added with a swagger in his voice and a waggle of his bushy blonde eyebrows.

"Lest we forget?" Erec smiled, despite the gravity of their situation. As these men accounted for each other by actions, words, and stories, Erec felt the target on his back growing smaller.

"Milord, I am chosen to speak for eight of our number. We were selected by the King and his counsel for our performance in various tourneys. I was advised that the others received their royal orders by messenger at the end of the tourneys. They also deny any prior knowledge of these three offenders, by any name or reputation."

"And you, Sir...?" Erec's voice trailed off, "What of you?"

"Robert. Sir Robert, Milord. Like Sir Cameron, I was tourney Champion, Milord. I too defeated all contenders. My prize was neither golden, nor fair maiden's kiss."

"You were cheated, Sir Robert." Sir Cameron laughed.

"Nay. I did not say that I did not enjoy a fair maiden's kiss, only that it was not my won prize." Sir Robert rejoindered. "My prize, as it were, was one of prestige and honor, as I was granted a place among the Royal Guard."

"Sir Robert." Erec began, "What can you tell us about these offenders?"

"Nothing, Milord. They are entirely unknown to me prior to this counsel."

"Thank you." Erec acknowledged with a nod. "That leaves only you three that we have not heard from."

"We three are chosen to speak for Port Castle, End Haven, and Colter. We represent the remainder of the men, Milord. We have consulted among ourselves and these offenders are not known to any among our number, Milord."

"In summary," Erec spoke even and clear for all present to hear him. "These three offenders simply appeared at Brecken Moors Hall and presented themselves as knights under contract to his majesty, Hugh II. They were theretofore unknown to any of the other knights present and were accepted at their word. From Breckenmoore, they traveled with the other knights to report to his majesty. Therefrom they served until his majesty decreed that we were to march on the kingdom of the Far North."

A chorus of 'Aye' rose from the ten men present at the counsel fire.

"Hardly helpful, is it." Cameron grumbled. "We know nothing of them except that they are black-hearted scoundrels, lacking in honor and morals."

"If only we could execute them, and rid our number of their malignancy." Sir Robert groused.

"We cannot execute them." Sir Cameron reminded, "No matter how blackened their reputations be now."

"They are under contract to his majesty and their ultimate end will be his decision." Erec declared with finality, ending all discussion of execution.

"Milord, this cannot be ignored." Cameron pleaded. "That innocent lass is a good and faithful subject of our liege lord, his majesty. She is under his majesty's protection, and we are his majesty's soldiers, the protectors of his realm."

"Aye!" came shouts of agreement from several of the men while the third man of the Barons shouted "We swore an oath to protect the weak!"

"The normal punishment for breaking the code," Erec began but was interrupted as some of the other knights began to press from outside the circle of the counsel.

"Break their shields!"

"Break their swords!"

"Truss them up and horse drag them!"

"Make them walk back to the king, tied and led like the dogs they are!"

"Hang them or they will slip a knife in our ribs to make their escape!"

The cries became more violent in nature but Erec was not the least bit surprised. These men made their living with their sword. Their reputation was as vital to their livelihood as was their skill with the sword. Though he understood their anger, he could not allow this to continue.

"" Erec bellowed again, grateful for his deep voice and his ability to make it carry.

Training and respect for their Captain reined in the rising tempers and to a man, they fell silent.

"Now then," Erec began civilly after looking into the eyes of each of the ten men present within the circle of the counsel. "I have heard the counsel. I remind you that we have not the power to execute these men. I also acknowledge that have not the time to return to the King so that we may present the offenders for judgment."

Once more Erec met each of the stern gazes fixed upon him. He heard whispers rippling through the crowds beyond the circle, but went on.

"Therefore, we will keep them trussed and under guard as far as Brecken Moors Hall. The Baron will hold them there and dispatch our message to his majesty with our decision. By the time that we return from this campaign in the north, there will be a reply. At that time, we shall carry out the King's judgment, whatever that may be."

"Milord?" Cameron cleared his throat and asked in a low voice, "A word?"

Erec was tempted to ignore him. But Sir Cameron was reputed to be nothing, if not fair. With a sigh and a frown, he turned toward the knight, likewise lowering his voice. "What is it?"

"If these men feel the decision of the counsel was too lenient, I fear the three accused may not live to reach Brecken Moors Hall."

Erec happened to agree, but to his frustration there was little to be done, except to trust in the honor of his men...well, the king's men. Erec remembered all too well that they had yet to prove any loyalty to him, except for their acceptance, thus far, of his position as Captain of the King's Army.

"What do you suggest?"

"Assemble the men in formation. Stand the accused at the front then call out the accusations and the decision of the counsel."

"I intended to." Erec growled impatiently.

"And carry out the public shaming."

"That is fitting the crimes." Erec agreed. "It was my intention that such punishments be carried out at the time of the reading of the King's judgment and the execution of said judgment but I concede that we may carry out the shaming before then."

Tensions continued to rise as fear and fatigue pressed heavily upon the patience of the men. Erec did not yet know the limits of their endurance, and he once more feared the possibility of a knife-point finding its way between his ribs while he slept. He needed to end this. Now. Clearing his throat, he got the attention of the counsel and spoke loudly enough that all could hear.

"The actions of these men accused cast a shadow of their guilt upon each man of us. The Knights Counsel has deliberated the matter and a decision has been reached. In the morning every man will appear in formation. At that time, we shall formally announce the sentence and carry out the public shaming." Erec paused a moment as he looked about.

Seeing nods of consent from the men in the counsel circle and even in those gathered around about, he proceeded with the sentencing. "The shield and sword of each of these three accused shall be broken. The surcoats of each shall be rent in two. Of each of these accused, horse, armor, and gold shall be forfeit to the crown.

"They shall then be held under guard until we reach Breckenmoore. At that time, I shall write a letter to his majesty to inform him of the actions of these accused and the findings of the Knights Counsel. Thereafter, the accused shall be bound over to Baron Brecken to await our return. Whereupon we return from this campaign in the far north, we shall execute the King's decision, whatever it may be.

"In this way, justice shall be served. Are you all in agreement with this?"

Erec was relieved when each man of the Knights Counsel gave his vote in the affirmative. At a nod to Cameron, the three men were brought before the counsel, fighting the whole way of it. The three continued to struggle as their sentence was pronounced after which they vehemently objected, shouting threats and curses upon the counsel.

"I shall see that each man of the counsel carries the sentence back to his men so that all will know the sentence. I am quite certain there will be plenty of volunteers for guard duty."

"Aye." Erec frowned and stopped Cameron as he turned to go. "Cameron."

"Aye, milord?"

"I only want men you trust implicitly charged with guard duty. Men you know personally. These three cannot die before the king's judgement falls upon them."

"Do you really think the king will pass judgement?" Cameron frowned. Knights Counsel were rare enough. Actual consequences meted out by Lords were rarer still.

"It is hardly done, but neither do the royal guard attack an innocent...within the realm...while on march in the king's name."

"Still, it—"

"These men attacked the king's loyal subject without provocation while marching in his name. Hugh II is a very proud man. I think he will honor our judgment and I think they shall further suffer public humiliation at his hand. Even as I am certain they shall be stripped of their titles."

Sir Cameron nodded before departing to see to the sentencing and arrange for guards.

Erec stood a moment by the fire before he returned to the farm house. He was suddenly weary to the bone, but he had a long night ahead of him.

Drew must be advised of the judgment. Erec was unaware of how chilled the air, and his own person, had become until he stepped into the coziness of the little farmhouse. Drew stood to greet him but at the sound of a sword sliding into its sheath, Erec realized it was not in welcome.

"At ease." Erec smiled, crossing to the hearth and settling down beside it.

"So?"

"So..." Erec sighed. "I shall begin by admitting that we were very wrong in some of our earlier assumptions about these men."

"Oh?"

"Indeed. I have heard of many of them. Sir Cameron and Sir Bennett are among their number."

"Fine knights."

"Aye."

"Well, that makes me rest easier, but I am still not at ease completely. Are not the three accused among their numbers as well?"

"Ah, now that is interesting..."

Erec proceeded to recount the events of the evening and the judgment. Drew listened and agreed in the end. They were both stretched out and much relaxed. Erec felt the weariness pulling, making his limbs heavy. But sleep was not to be had, as he made a promise to the farmer to guard the house.

Rousing himself, Erec stretched swinging his arms to-and-fro as he walked around the small room. On Erec's third trip around the room, Drew stood.

"We need to make rounds of the house—outside." Drew said as he stretched as best a tall man can when in a room with a low ceiling.

"Drank a wee bit too much of the Meade?" Erec arched an eyebrow as he grinned at Drew.

Drew shrugged in reply.

"It is just as well." Erec shrugged back. After you check around the house, walk out to the camp and check on the prisoners. I want to make sure they will make it to Brecken Moors Hall alive."

Drew nodded and Erec debated about going outside to walk around a bit. But he did promise the farmer that a man would stay inside, and since Drew was going out, that meant he had to stay. Settling down in front of the hearth again, he decided that maybe he could sleep...if he kept one eye open.

---

Satisfied the grounds were secured and the farmer's family was as safe as he could make them, Erec woke Drew for last watch and settled in front of the hearth. With his arm for a pillow, Erec relaxed and allowed himself to give in to the fatigue that hounded his heels for the past two days. Gil knocked softly on the door and Drew slipped out to find John and Thomas returned.

"We encountered no one but we found the trail of at least a dozen men heading toward the north. We followed it and found the remains of a camp that was at least a week old. If they were the raiders who burned the village, they took no prisoners and little in the way of spoils. Their horses were not overly burdened."

"Did you scout around the village in any other direction?"

"Aye. There were foot prints and a few small animal tracks. Goats most likely. A mule or two... and a cow. Most of the footprints were small."

"Women and children then."

"Aye. And they trail off to the south and west, toward the Abby. If they do not shelter at the Abby, there are villages further south and west."

"Good man, John." Drew grinned, "and you also, Thomas."

"We can move north confident that we shall not be killing our own people if we should encounter the enemy." John noted.

"Encounter?" Drew grumbled, "We have enemies enough riding with us."

"Beg pardon?" John said looking about as he began to pull his sword.

"Stay." Drew assured as he looked back at the door. Turning he said as he passed, "Come."

Leading them away, he began to relate what happened with the farmer's daughter and the rest of what occurred in the night and concluding with the need to be vigilant and exercise an extra measure of caution. John and Thomas were good men, excellent soldiers, a hand with any weapon. Drew sent them to the barn to get a little sleep in the hayloft before they left.

Erec was still asleep when the sun rose and the family made an appearance. Upon Erec's orders the family were to stay inside today, but they did not disturb his sleep. Gil offered to milk the cow and gather the eggs while Drew fetched wood and water... and all the while Erec slept.

There were still several days of travel ahead and the road did not lend itself to hunting between here and Brecken Moors Hall. Drew went outside to organize the men and send them out to forage for nuts, berries, fish our fowl in the woods at the far side of the farmer's fields. Then he made his way to the smithy with the farmer to work on replacing Zeus's shoe.