Royal Assassin

"We will know how he died, and at whose hand," Brawndy of Beams told him. "Your man Wallace said FitzChivalry killed the King. You, King-in-Waiting Regal, agreed, saying he used the Wit to do it. Many of us believe that FitzChivalry was singularly devoted to his king and would not do such a thing. And FitzChivalry said the Skill users did." For the first time Duke Brawndy looked directly at me. I met his eyes and spoke to him as if we were alone.

"Justin and Serene killed him," I said quietly. "By treachery, they killed my king."

"Silence! " Regal bawled. He lifted his hand as if to strike me. I did not flinch.

"And so I killed them," I continued, looking only at Brawndy. "With the King's knife. Why else would I have chosen such a weapon?"

"Crazy men do strange things." This from Duke Kelvar of Rippon, while Regal strangled, livid with fury. I met Kelvar's eyes calmly. Last I had spoken with him had been at his own table, at Neatbay.

"I am not crazy," I asserted quietly. "I was no more crazy that night than I was the night I wielded an ax outside the walls of Bayguard."

"That may be so," Kelvar affirmed thoughtfully. "It is common talk that he goes berserk when he fights."

A glint came into Regal's eyes. "It is common talk, too, that he has been seen with blood on his mouth after he has fought. That he becomes one of the animals that he was raised with. He is Witted."

Silence greeted this remark. The Dukes exchanged glances, and when Shemshy glanced back at me, there was distaste in the look. Brawndy finally answered Regal. "This is a grave charge you level. Have you a witness?"

"To blood on his mouth? Several."

Brawndy shook his head. "Any man may finish a battle with a bloody face. An ax is not a tidy weapon. I can attest to that. No. It would take more than that."

"Then let us convene the council," Regal repeated impatiently. "Hear what Wallace has to say about how my father died and at whose hand."

The three Dukes exchanged glances. Their eyes came back to me, considering. Duke Brawndy led the coast now. I was certain of it when he was the one who spoke. "King-in-Waiting Regal. Let us speak plainly. You have accused FitzChivalry, son of Chivalry, of using the Wit, the Beast magic, to slay King Shrewd. This is indeed a grave charge. To satisfy us of it, we ask that you prove to us that not only is he Witted, but that he can use it to do injury to another. All of us were witness that there were no marks on King Shrewd's body, no sign of a death struggle at all. Had not you raised this cry of treachery, we might have accepted that he had died of his years. Some, even, have whispered that you but seek an excuse to be rid of FitzChivalry. I know you have heard these rumors; I speak them aloud that we may confront them." Brawndy paused, as if debating with himself. He glanced once more at his peers. When neither Kelvar nor Shemshy gave sign of dissension, he cleared his throat and continued.

"We have a proposal, King-in-Waiting Regal. Prove to us, sir, that FitzChivalry is Witted, and that he used that Wit to kill King Shrewd, and we will let you put him to death as you see fit. We will witness your coronation as king of the Six Duchies. Further, we will accept Lord Bright as your presence in Buckkeep and allow you to retire your court to Tradeford."

Triumph gleamed briefly on Regal's face. Then suspicion masked it. "And if, Duke Brawndy, I do not prove this to your satisfaction?"

"Then FitzChivalry lives," Brawndy calmly decreed. "And you give him stewardship of Buckkeep and the forces of Buck in your absence." All three Coastal Dukes lifted their eyes to meet Regal's.

"This is treason and treachery!" Regal hissed.

Shemshy's hand almost went to his sword. Kelvar reddened but said nothing. The tension in the line of men behind them tightened a notch. Only Brawndy remained unmoved. "My lord, do you bring more charges?" he asked calmly. "Again, we will demand them proved. It could further delay your coronation."

After a moment of their stony eyes and silence, Regal said quietly, "I spoke in haste, my dukes. These are trying times for me. Bereft of my father's guidance so suddenly, bereaved of my brother, our lady queen and the child she carries gone missing ... These surely are enough cause to drive any man to hasty statements. I ... very well. I will acquiesce to this ... bargain you set before me. I will prove FitzChivalry Witted, or I will set him free. Does that satisfy you?"

"No, my king-in-waiting," Brawndy said quietly. "Such were not the terms we set. If innocent, FitzChivalry will be set in command of Buckkeep. If you prove him guilty, we shall accept Bright. Those were our terms."