Give an Answer

In the heel of the boot was a piece of paper. By the thick feel of it, it was an official document of some kind. So what was it doing in Borit's boot? 

'He's hiding it. But why?'

Although Ethyn wanted the answer, something in him told him that if he revealed the evidence now, the Commander would find a way to turn it back on him.

The knight decided to bide his time. Helping Borit into his boots, the redhead pretended nothing was amiss. 

"There you are, Commander," he said, easily pulling the shoes into place. 

Borit's face relaxed only slightly, but he nodded his thanks for appearance's sake. 

Leaving the doctor behind, the rest of the group--seven in total--exited the infirmary and moved away from the army of the wounded. Rose noted that the faces of the soldiers who saw Borit were mixed.

Some seemed concerned by his injury while others clearly suspected him of wrongdoing. Rose wanted to tell all of them that justice would be served, and she hoped desperately that it would be true. 

Her father had the final say in the matter as his word was law. Rose would do her best to convince the king of the truth. 

 The princess only hoped it would be enough. If it wasn't...

'Don't think about that.'

Rose had no idea what the king was thinking at all. How much of Borit's meek and submissive act was Rhodri believing? 

'We will find out.' 

The group of soldiers who had accompanied them joined them at the exit of the infirmary. It was a far cry from the grand procession which Kaarel had used to intimidate and awe the court only a few hours before, but it was very effective for its purpose. 

Since Rhodri's office was left untouched by the battle, the king decided it was probably the best place to hear the man's defense. The public trial, if there ended up being an official one, would echo whatever happened now behind closed doors. The king was the ultimate judge in cases of treason. 

While the other soldiers stood guard outside, the other seven solemnly entered. Aiden lowered the Commander into a chair, and Conall and his companion stood on either side with their hands on their sword. 

Rose and Ethyn flanked the king, who sat on the opposite side of the table from the Commander. Caitlyn remained nervously by the door. All six stared at Borit, waiting for him to make the slightest wrong move.

Borit looked at his circumstance and frowned. "If I may, Your Majesty, it is quite curious that you are allowing two strangers to keep you safe when you have plenty of loyal soldiers like those outside to be by your side." 

"You may not," Rhodri said tersely. "You should be worrying about yourself. These two men saved my life at their own personal risk. I have no doubt as to their loyalty."

The rest was easy to infer. If push came to shove, any other soldier might decide to side with the Commander if things went against Borit. While most guards were likely trustworthy, there was no guarantee. 

"You know best, Your Majesty." Borit lowered his eyes. 

Ethyn wondered how much it had taken out of the Commander to say those words. Borit only believed in himself. 

"I am glad you think so," the king answered, his tone as neutral as his face. "Now please tell me your side of the story in this invasion."

Borit dropped his eyes. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will start at the beginning. When I went to check on the farmer's field as you ordered, he pointed me in the right direction. When I got there, a battle had already occurred and I was told that the Guardian Silver was the ring leader. Based on my previous run-ins with the lawbreaker, I had no trouble believing the story.

"It was one of my first understandable mistakes. I did not see when Rabert was injured, but I did help him get inside. Kaarel led me to believe it was an attack and convinced me it would be necessary to reinforce both the inside and outside of the palace. While I was trying to get Silver to you and give you a full report, Kaarel proceeded to move in all of his troops instead.

"I didn't realize what was happening until I was captured. My confusion was immense. I have failed you, my king."

Ethyn swallowed. The Commander had tied up all the loose ends. 

Kaarel was dead, but even if he wasn't, he could not be believed. And apart from Silver and possibly Rabert, Ethyn very much doubted anyone on the side of Birle would be able to refute the rest of his claims. 

"Ha!" Conall guffawed. 

Rhodri raised one eyebrow. "Have you something to say on the matter?" 

"The Commander tried to wipe out our village not once, but twice for his own vindictive schemes. Pardon me for, uh, not believing him just now." Conall stopped speaking when he saw Aiden's panicked expression. The mayor was speaking to the king, not some weary traveler at the inn!

"And what say you?" The king looked at Aiden curiously.

"It matters not what I think." the man paused as he dipped his head. "But I do know that the Commander framed me for a crime I did not commit and had me disgraced. I was forced out of the army because of him." 

Rhodri pursed his lips. "These are not the charges for which I was going to judge Borit today, but I think it wise that I should take the claims into consideration." 

Borit rose slightly in his seat. "Your Majesty! Just because Silver saved your life this time does not make him an honest citizen. I was only doing my duty in Rynnlee. No more. No less. The same goes for this man here. He is just upset that his choices got him thrown out of the army. I know nothing about the situation he is referring to."

Rhodri pulled out papers and placed them on the desk. They were crumpled and torn as the king pushed them across the desk.

"I also received a translation of the document which Silver said was from you. It is quite condemning." That missive troubled Rhodri more than he cared to admit. Willric had been very cold and calculating. And it sounded just like him.

"Where did Silver get the document? Is my handwriting on it? I had not seen it before today. The enemy framed Silver. They must have pitted him against me as well to cause division. I know nothing of these papers..." Borit turned his nose up into the air. 

"Snake…" Conall reiterated what King Willric had called him. The king of Lakyle had meant it as a compliment, but the Mayor certainly did not.

"I have served you faithfully for years, Your Majesty. I am hurt that you would think so poorly of me now." Borit leaned back in his chair dejectedly.

All of Borit's points made sense. It was infuriating to Rose how quickly he could explain away everything that happened.

The princess feared that her father would be swayed by the convincing act of the Commander. He was just too good.

It seemed that someone else agreed with her assessment, for in an instant, the back legs of Borit's chair inexplicably snapped simultaneously.

Borit's legs flew into the air as his head tumbled toward the ground.

From behind, Ethyn felt a small shove urging him forward. Instinctively, he knew what to do.

"Let me help, Commander!" He said as he grabbed the man's left boot to prevent him from continuing his fall.

"No!" Borit knew his cry was too late.

In the knight's hand, the boot came flying off toward the desk and the king.

From it, a paper fluttered out and landed right in front of the monarch.

Rhodri arched his brow as he picked up the pages.

"What's this?"

"Your Majesty," Borit huffed. "I can explain!"