"I am finished with the stiches and the salves are applied. Let me bandage your wounds and you may leave us." Gwyn wiped her fingers on her apron and reached for the clean bandages.

"Berk will take you out in a way that will not be traced back to us. If we have any other news, we will find a way to get it to Berk. How shall he get it to you?"

"Never you mind about that part." Berk chuckled. "You get me the message, and I will get it to Cameron."

"Wait!" Gwyn said as Cameron reached for his shirt, and headed toward the door. "You cannot go yet. You have not heard what I discovered this afternoon whilst at the market."

"You uncovered more information while you were shopping."

"Laugh if you like, but I now have faces to go with the names I heard in the wood that day they killed my father. And today I was able to discover the name of the third man. I saw them, but they did not know me."

"Forgive my confusion." Cameron shook his head. "I may have been hit harder than I thought. But if they did not know you, why would they kill your father and seek you out?"

"I suppose they learned about Robin and I from my father before they killed him. But we were hiding in the wood, sleeping actually, when they first came looking. We stayed hidden and after they passed, we made our way to Brecken. They tried again to catch us at the forest road north of Kingspass, but we stayed out of their way until it was safe."

"You are a clever woman."

"I am not sure if you mean that as a compliment or not." Gwyn frowned. "Be that as it may, I heard their voices in the market and found a way to be close without being seen. They were buying something from the Merchant Tailor when I first saw them. Sir Oliver and Sir Jackson were the ones I knew the names of, save I did not know then they were knights."

"How could you not know they were knights if they were dressed—"

"Because we were hidden and I was not going to risk them sensing my eyes upon them and looking in our direction. Do not smile at me. You are a soldier and no doubt you know what I say is true. How many times have you felt the weight of eyes upon you when you cannot see anyone about?" She nodded triumphantly when Cameron nodded his agreement.

"I heard their voices. I listened carefully so I would know them again if I heard them. There were three but only Jackson and Oliver used names. Until today I did not know the name of the third man."

"And..."

"I saw three knights at the Merchant Tailor. I knew then that two of the men were Sir Oliver and Sir Jackson. They were in deference to the third knight. I memorized their faces through bits and glances while I admired the wares of the Clothier in the next booth."

"They did not feel your eyes upon them?"

"I fear they did. And my heart stopped when Sir Jackson caught me glancing at him. But he only smiled and nodded. I nodded back and turned my attention to Sofi so I am sure he thought it nothing more than chance. I am sure it happens often enough where so many people are present."

"It happens almost everywhere he goes." Cameron shook his head. "Sir Jackson is well known to be often in the company of a lady. It is common knowledge that if one wishes for a dalliance..."

"Well, then I am certain he thought nothing of it. But I moved on anyway and delayed in the Drapers booth out of sight as long as I could manage. When I was returning to the Inn, I passed the Sword Seller and saw them again. This time I heard the seller addressing the third man. He called him Lord Neron but I—"

"Are you certain that is the name that you heard?"

"Aye. Lord Neron. I will never forget the man who ordered my father's death...You know him!"

"Everyone in the palace knows him. He is personal friend of the King. They were children together and are often in company with one another. Lord Neron is very wealthy and powerful. He was a second son, but his brother and mother died of the plague while visiting family. And his father died in a fall from his horse. Lord Neron got everything."

"As a second son with the first son dead, that makes sense."

"And he has grown the fortune and lands since he inherited. More than doubled actually."

"Then his is a prudent man as well."

"You could say that. But there are also rumors, whispers really. No one speaks out against Lord Neron openly."

"Whispers?"

"That his father's death was not an accident."

"That would be tragic, but Lord Neron could hardly have caused his mother and brother to die from plague."

"That was just a lucky break, the whispers say. They also say that it was no coincidence that his father died within months of hearing the news of the deaths of his wife and son."

"Now that is a bit...unusual."

"So are the means he used to gain possession of his new lands, if the whispers are to be believed. But it matters not. He is a shrewd man and will not be easily caught if he ordered your father's death."

"There must be some way to warn the king. Surely if he knew—"

"Close friend of the king. Remember? He inherited his father's place on the king's council and is rarely far from the palace. In fact, he has not been out since the rioting started. I wonder that he decided to venture out now..."

"He was at the merchant tailor. And later at the sword seller."

"He is a noble. A wealthy noble. He hardly has need to visit the market for such purchases. Merchants are more than willing to bring their wares to the wealthy."

"That makes sense. Before you left Brecken, her ladyship sent word to Kingstown for the clothier, the draper, the leather worker, the...well..."

"Precisely. So, I ask again, what would bring Lord Neron away from the safety of the palace walls while there is danger of a riot at any moment?"

"Wait a minute..." Gwyn tapped her chin. "Did you not say that you were in disguise looking for the men who started the riots? The maggots, I believe you called them."

"Aye..." Cameron's eyes went large. "You do not believe that he was looking for the same men, do you?"

"He is the king's friend, is he not. His position of power depends on keeping the king's favor. What better way than to discover the cause of the riots. If he were turn the men over to...what?"

"What you just said." Gil grabbed her by the shoulders and kissed her soundly. "Wife, you are a genius!"

Gwyn stood startled blinking at him.

"Sorry." He mumbled. "But you said it yourself. His position of power depends on maintaining the favor of the king. These men are trying to oust the king...if there is no king, and the king has no heirs..."

"Oh!" Gwyn gasped.

"He means to make a play for the throne!" Cameron concluded as he turned and grabbed Gwyn by the shoulders, giving her a kiss as Gil had done. "Your husband is right. You are a genius!"

Gwyn blinked at them both.

"You have lost your minds."

"Mayhap, milady. But mayhap you have just saved the kingdom. That is worthy of a kiss or two in gratitude, is it not?"

"I..." Gwyn cringed away. "I need to go upstairs and check on Sofi."

"Berk, can you keep eyes on Neron?"

"Aye, when he is out of the palace. But I have no contact inside the walls."

"I can help there. The king often has me acting as personal guard when he meets with his council. I never really paid much attention to their squabbles, as they always seemed so petty...but I shall be more attentive. If only I knew which servants to trust..."

"Berk, are Robert and Molly still at the garrison?"

"Aye, but they were much grieved when word reached us that Lord Erec was killed. They practically raised him."

"Aye. But more important, they spent a lot of time in that castle. If there are any secrets, they will know them. And if there is anyone yet to be trusted, they will be able to give you a name."

"Robert? Lord Erec's personal groom?" Cameron frowned. "He was made a common groom when Lord Erec died. They treat him abominably."

"Aye, the same, although I am sad to hear of his troubles. His wife Molly is the Garrison cook and laundress."

"I shall see if he would like to become my personal groom so that he may resume his former place. I have moved into Lord Erec's quarters, but I have changed nothing. It seems...I do not spend much time there. It feels...I see his presence everywhere and it is just the way that he left it...as though he will walk through the door at any moment."

"He did leave a rather large impression upon those that he met."

"Berk, how do I reach you if I need you? If Neron starts something, I will need at least one man that I can trust not to put a knife in my heart."

"You have more than one man, Sir Cameron. You have all of the former Royal Guard. There are yet over forty of us still within a day or two of Kingstown. Visit Old Dog Inn. Have a meal and leave exactly one penny over what price he asks. I will tell the innkeeper to watch for you. They will know the signal and will get word to me."

"But you cannot get inside the palace."

"No, but I think I should stay in town in case this goes bad quickly. I know how to reach the men. We have pigeons...So they will come within a day or two of being sent for."

"But what of Elsbet and your children?" Are they not expecting you to return?"

"Aye. And so are the people watching us. I will leave town with you, but at the village where we spend our first night, I will switch places with my brother. He looks enough like me that he can go along in my place and keep eyes off me. I will return Kingstown and make myself invisible. The innkeeper will know how to reach me...But how shall I reach you?"

"Me?" Gil's eyebrows nearly touched his hairline.

"Surely you have a greater interest in this than a family visit. You came with news of Far North spies, Supplies and men fortifying Garret's Keep, and raids from Far North along the border. You also said that you believe someone within the kingdom hired them."

"I did. They said they were hired to undermine the king...You do not think that Neron..."

"No. And I do not think that Mary is your wife, although that girl might well be your daughter. I think you were sent here to warn us. And if Drew sent you...I think...I dare not hope but it is the only thing that makes any sense..."

"Do not speak it." Gil warned but nodded his head.

Berk put a hand on his mouth and dropped to his knees as he crossed himself and whispered a prayer of thanks.

"If he is having that reaction to this unspoken...does this have anything to do with..."

"Do not speak it." Gil warned but mouthed "EREC LIVES."

Cameron kissed his fingertips, crossed himself and fell to his knees beside Berk to offer a prayer of thanks.

Gil was touched by this show of loyalty. He had not thought there would yet be such men but Berk said there were yet forty of them...Erec would be glad to hear that there was yet hope to stop a coupe.

"Berk, I would not wait until Cameron has evidence of Neron's plot. Send for the men as soon as you are free of us. Meet them outside of town if you can. They need to appear to be part of the everyday traffic in and out of Kingstown. Let some of them stay in that village outside of Kingstown and take turns riding into town. It is close enough; they can come quickly if called upon. And it will not draw attention. If there are other such places, spread the men out..."

"And you?"

"My wife and I will return home. Our son is with my brother DERMOT and his family. We take him home. Robert is the reason that we are aware of the attacks from the north. He is a clever boy. He will be excited to hear all about our trip to Kingstown. He will want to know all about what the palace looks like..."

"Tell him that I said that it is like Brecken...only bigger...and Brecken felt much more like home."

"I shall tell him." Gil nodded. "I do not know if I shall return as the passes are heavily guarded..."

"Aye. Neron's work." Cameron frowned. "Those are his lackeys."

"And the men guarding the road to Garret's Keep?"

"I know not of those men. But I can hardly spare the men to investigate if I am to prepare for attack on the palace."

"Train the men hard. Lord Erec always trained hardest in the off-times so that his men would be ready when he needed them. It will not be suspicious and you will be able to gather many of the men closer to the palace."

"A good suggestion. I was training, but not much. We were upset over leaving Lord Erec behind..." Cameron frowned. "I find I have a new hope knowing that there is a chance to survive this now. With such a man to consult with, I feel more confident. But I forget myself. Travel to the coast and take a boat to Kingsport. The road north is clear from there."

"Does Neron not consider that his foe might do just that?"

"Neron says he has men there who know his foe by sight, but...there is another port on the west coast south of Port Castle but..."

"West of Dupre's castle. And the village where we stayed the first night is not far east of Dupre. We will be able to travel through the farms and villages as we did once we were south of Kingspass!"

"Just so."

"I do not know if we shall travel south. With the threat pressing against Brecken pass, we may be needed to reinforce there. But I will see that word is sent to you once I meet with my brother."