show courtesy toward them, to retain their homage.
A just ruler was supposed to tell peasants when they could sell or trade animals or abodes, and to inspect their farms and workshops. He was to make judgments where crimes or misdeeds were involved, and settle boundary disputes. He was to approve, deny, or command betrothals and marriages, and collect fair taxes and special fees. Yet Prince Alric saw to none of these duties anymore, and many noticed this failure.
Giselde had told Alysa about the dissension growing among the powerful feudal lords, and the grumblings in many villages. The people no longer felt safe in this land, for they were burdened by Isobail’s demands. Her taxes had nearly impoverished them, and her harsh punishments were resented. Too, the countryside had been terrorized by wandering bands in recent months, and no one in authority appeared capable of putting an end to it. At first they had feared for Prince Alric’s health and prayed for his recovery. Then they had grown rebellious at the troubles his absence created in their lives. Many spoke out for a new ruler, and many of those rebels vanished or were slain by the marauding raiders.
One lord, Friseal, who had tried to incite the others to speak out against Alric and Isobail, had been arrested and executed for treason at Isobail’s command, and his holdings confiscated and granted to Sheriff Trahern. The other three lords had been unable to help their unfortunate friend, for the man had spoken out publicly against their rulers, and many retainers had borne witness against him in the royal court. Alysa’s father had presided over that court but had been unable to grant his vassal mercy, as the crime of treason had been proven against him. Yet Giselde had told Alysa that the matter had been instigated by Isobail’s men, and the witnesses against the vassal had lied.
Worse, Giselde had told her that Isobail was plotting to take over every feudal estate in Damnonia and place her royal retainers in control of them. Alysa thought about the three remaining lords—Orin, Daran, and Fergus—and she fretted over their safety. She could not help but wonder if Isobail would also try to take Sir Kelton’s castle at Land’s End—property that once belonged to Isobail and her first husband, Lord Caedmon Ahern—and give it to her son, Moran. Long ago Isobail had struggled to retain Caedmon Castle for Moran, butAlric had refused to allow a woman with small children to keep such a vital stronghold. Alric had taken Isobail and her children into his protection by bringing them to Malvern Castle and making Isobail his wife’s waiting woman. How could a woman love and wed a man who had taken her home and son’s heritage from her? Alysa wondered. But such conjecture presupposed that Isobail was capable of feeling love for another person—an unlikely supposition.
If Isobail was plotting against Sir Kelton and the other lords, she would know soon, as Moran’s knighthood was approaching, a rank that required money and land before it could be bestowed. And if Giselde was right about the raids on the villages, then Isobail was trying to frighten the peasants into obeying her every whim. This land would run red with innocent blood if Isobail was allowed to carry out her intent. Alysa knew she needed proof of her wicked plots, and had to figure out how to obtain such proof and get it to King Bardwyn, her grandfather.
Alysa’s chambers were in the south tower on the second floor, the smallest tower of the compound, the one built for nurseries and children, their guardians and teachers. The space and privacy had not been necessary, as Alric and Catriona had had only one child. Her handmaiden Thisbe’s room was nearby, along with Alysa’s privy and wardrobe. Beneath her on the first floor were the chambers of Princess Isobail’s son and daughter by the deceased Lord Caedmon—Kyra and Moran Ahern—when Prince Moran was home.
To her right was a lengthy section
A just ruler was supposed to tell peasants when they could sell or trade animals or abodes, and to inspect their farms and workshops. He was to make judgments where crimes or misdeeds were involved, and settle boundary disputes. He was to approve, deny, or command betrothals and marriages, and collect fair taxes and special fees. Yet Prince Alric saw to none of these duties anymore, and many noticed this failure.
Giselde had told Alysa about the dissension growing among the powerful feudal lords, and the grumblings in many villages. The people no longer felt safe in this land, for they were burdened by Isobail’s demands. Her taxes had nearly impoverished them, and her harsh punishments were resented. Too, the countryside had been terrorized by wandering bands in recent months, and no one in authority appeared capable of putting an end to it. At first they had feared for Prince Alric’s health and prayed for his recovery. Then they had grown rebellious at the troubles his absence created in their lives. Many spoke out for a new ruler, and many of those rebels vanished or were slain by the marauding raiders.
One lord, Friseal, who had tried to incite the others to speak out against Alric and Isobail, had been arrested and executed for treason at Isobail’s command, and his holdings confiscated and granted to Sheriff Trahern. The other three lords had been unable to help their unfortunate friend, for the man had spoken out publicly against their rulers, and many retainers had borne witness against him in the royal court. Alysa’s father had presided over that court but had been unable to grant his vassal mercy, as the crime of treason had been proven against him. Yet Giselde had told Alysa that the matter had been instigated by Isobail’s men, and the witnesses against the vassal had lied.
Worse, Giselde had told her that Isobail was plotting to take over every feudal estate in Damnonia and place her royal retainers in control of them. Alysa thought about the three remaining lords—Orin, Daran, and Fergus—and she fretted over their safety. She could not help but wonder if Isobail would also try to take Sir Kelton’s castle at Land’s End—property that once belonged to Isobail and her first husband, Lord Caedmon Ahern—and give it to her son, Moran. Long ago Isobail had struggled to retain Caedmon Castle for Moran, butAlric had refused to allow a woman with small children to keep such a vital stronghold. Alric had taken Isobail and her children into his protection by bringing them to Malvern Castle and making Isobail his wife’s waiting woman. How could a woman love and wed a man who had taken her home and son’s heritage from her? Alysa wondered. But such conjecture presupposed that Isobail was capable of feeling love for another person—an unlikely supposition.
If Isobail was plotting against Sir Kelton and the other lords, she would know soon, as Moran’s knighthood was approaching, a rank that required money and land before it could be bestowed. And if Giselde was right about the raids on the villages, then Isobail was trying to frighten the peasants into obeying her every whim. This land would run red with innocent blood if Isobail was allowed to carry out her intent. Alysa knew she needed proof of her wicked plots, and had to figure out how to obtain such proof and get it to King Bardwyn, her grandfather.
Alysa’s chambers were in the south tower on the second floor, the smallest tower of the compound, the one built for nurseries and children, their guardians and teachers. The space and privacy had not been necessary, as Alric and Catriona had had only one child. Her handmaiden Thisbe’s room was nearby, along with Alysa’s privy and wardrobe. Beneath her on the first floor were the chambers of Princess Isobail’s son and daughter by the deceased Lord Caedmon—Kyra and Moran Ahern—when Prince Moran was home.
To her right was a lengthy section
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