Gil tried to laugh but was suddenly weary to the bone.

"I need to speak with your father. It is urgent."

Reaching for the reins, Arthur answered. "I will take you to him."

Gil managed to stay awake long enough to make his report and he was still semi-conscious when he was half carried by two men to a bed. He remembered little else until he awoke...

"You are awake!" Arthur chirped cheerfully.

"I suppose I am." Gil admitted. He remembered where he was and why he had come. "Your father-"

"He left to get the news to Sir Cameron."

"When? How long..."

"You have been sleeping for two days." Arthur chuckled. "I was told to watch over you until you awoke and then to fetch Pim so that she could bring you some water for washing and some clean clothes."

"I must be a sight." Gil mused.

"And a smell." Arthur added.

"That also." Gil chuckled as he sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed.

He looked around and realized he was in a rather nice room. The walls were whitewashed as were the floors. Three colorful braided rugs covered the larger part of the floor and a beautiful blanket hung upon the wall. It was pieced together with colorful bits of oddly shaped scraps. It was embroidered in places around the edges and the overall effect was pleasing.

The bed was solid, and the posts were carved with flowers and leaves. It was stained in such a way as to enhance the carvings. He trailed his fingers over the one nearest him.

"Pim insisted her room be elegant as befits a lady. But Pa said that unless she was paying for such elegance she would have to do without. So, she did all of this herself, save for the carving. That was Old Woody. He has a gift with all things wood."

"I see that. Where is your sister?"

"She took my bed since I was here." Arthur patted the chair he sat upon. "It rocks!" he demonstrated."

"I see that." Gil repeated and stood. "Now, the water and clean clothes?"

"I shall fetch Pim. Should I also bring a tray of food?"

"Nay. I will eat in the kitchen. I am foul enough that I should spoil my own appetite should I try to eat before I clean up."

Arthur left laughing to do as he was bid.

Several moments later Gil made his way to the kitchen. Elsbet and Pim were there, with Arthur and another he did not know.

"Berk is away." Elsbet smiled as she turned from the hearth with a tray of fresh baked bread.

Pim left the room as Gil took a seat at the table. She returned a few moments later with a pail of warm milk. She ladled some into a cup and offered it to Gil.

"It is not the fare you are used to, Sir, but it will fortify you better. From the state you were in when you arrived, I assume you could use a hot and hearty meal?"

"You assume correctly." Gil smiled his thanks and accepted the milk along with the plate that Elsbet placed before him. Eggs, ham, potatoes and fresh bread with creamy butter.

"I am called Bear. Berk told me to watch his family while he saw to the affairs of the king. I was to ask you to tell us of your journey if you felt up to it, and anything else you may have left out of your rather brief report before you collapsed on us."

"Yes, well." Gil paused to enjoy another delicious bite. "When I last left you with Gwyn and little Sofi, the journey home took a fortnight plus a few days. I rode alone and reversed our path to reach you in ten days. I ate what I could while riding, and drank from a waterskin strung over my shoulder. I stopped only to change my horse for another and a few hours' sleep."

"That would explain the state you were in." Bear growled.

Gil smiled. The name suited the man. He was not so tall as Gil, but he was broad of shoulder and stout and strong. His hair was dark and his voice was deep and raspy, sooth, it sounded like he growled.

"I hope that I managed to convey that King Axel is to be at Brecken Moors Hall in a fortnight and there he shall await King Hugh II to sign a formal peace treaty."

"You did. But how did this come about?"

"Lord Erec, the People's Champion lives. It was at Lady Gwyndolyn's urging that he went to King Axel under a flag of parley. The Lady went with him and they returned with news of the Treaty."

"Come," There was a low rumble from Bear that Gil could only assume was a chuckle, "There is more to the tale, surely."

"Aye." Gil nodded. "But I find that I cannot turn my mind to anything, save the delicious smells from this food. I should like to eat my fill and then perhaps I can think clearly enough to tell the tale as it should be told."

"Leave the man be, Bear." Elsbet scolded with a smile. "Let him eat his food before it becomes cold."

---

"Sir Cameron, I sent word out to the men. In two days, you shall have fifty men you can trust. We will serve in any capacity, so you will not have so much trouble watching over the King's caravan as we travel to Brecken."

"On behalf of his majesty, I thank you, Berk."

"I doubt his majesty would extend such thanks." Berk chuckled.

"None the less, Berk." Cameron nodded ruefully, "You have it. I was most pleased to hear that Brecken has managed to negotiate a peace treaty. I think his majesty was put out that it was not his man that did so..."

"But Lord Erec is the King's man. He serves the king, or rather the crown."

"I do not understand." Cameron frowned.

"It is simple, Sir Cameron. A king may die, but the crown, and the kingdom, will go on. We pledged our fealty to the crown. It is a subtlety lost to most; I fear. But an important one, never the less."

"I see. While the king, such as Hugh I, is a good king, serving the crown is easy, but..."

"But when the king, such as his majesty, is less...well, just less, we still serve the crown. It is our duty to protect the crown, and to serve the people. It is our hope that his majesty will grow into his crown and rule at least as well as his father. If not, it will be our duty to protect the crown, but also to do whatever we can to help the people."

"It is a fine line to walk, but a noble one."

"I have been called many things in my years," Berk chuckled, "But never have I been called noble."

"No, I do not suppose there was much occasion. But enough of this, come. I have inspections to make in the armory but first I go to the kitchens. The news of a treaty was most welcome, but it has kept me from my midday meal and I fear it shall keep me away from the evening meal as well. I will make a quick meal of bread and cheese. Will you join me?"

"If you will allow me to join you afterward as well. I will do what I may to assist. The sooner we can be ready to leave, the less time there will be for anyone to harm his majesty."

"It was my thought as well. Are you certain you cannot get your men here faster?"

"Quite certain. It will take a day and a to reach some of them. But they will return post haste. You will have the promised men in two days."

They had not gone half the distance to the kitchens when they were intercepted.

"Sir Cameron."

"What is it? Has something happened to the King?"

"Nay. Not by the time I was relieved but a moment ago. You sent for me, Sir. What is it that you wish of me?"

"I? Sent for you?" Cameron frowned.

Berk looked betwixt the two and grabbed Cameron's arm before addressing the soldier.

"What was your post?"

"I was just yon, outside the King's hall."

"And why are you not there still?" Cameron scolded. "The hour has not yet come for the change of the guard."

"Why, Sir! I am here at your request. The man you sent told me that you wished to see me at once, and that he was to take the remainder of the shift."

Berk and Cameron exchanged a look before they began running toward the King's hall.

There was one hall that led to the King's chambers and only two entrances to that hall. When Cameron learned of the danger to the king, he arranged trusted men to rotate the post of guarding those entrances. Berk had men and women, also loyal to the crown and trusted, that were placed in all parts of the castle. They reported back to Cameron and thus he was well informed.

"Soldier, take up your post and do not leave it before the appointed hour and only to the one meant to take your place. None other."

"Yes Sir." The soldier came to a stop and took up his place outside the entrance while Berk followed Cameron down the hall.

"You there!" Cameron called out.

The soldier stopped and turned. He was wearing a surcoat of the royal guard, but the face was a stranger to both Cameron and Berk. The soldier carried a tray with wine and a sampling of his majesty's favorite foods.

"Sir Cameron." The soldier dipped his head and waited.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?"

"I am only a humble soldier, Sir. I was ordered to carry this tray to his majesty, and so I do so."

"I do not know you."

"I have only just arrived in Kingstown this day. You were otherwise occupied, Sir Cameron. But the men at the garrison were most helpful. I am well settled."

"Who ordered you to carry this tray?" Berk asked.

The stranger arched an eyebrow and examined Berk as if noticing him for the first time. He made no nod of acknowledgement, and instead turned back to address Cameron.

"I know not. As I said, Sir Cameron, I am just arrived this day."

"Then you must trust me when I tell you that you shall never again act upon any orders unless received from myself or his majesty. Is that clear?"

"Yes Sir." The soldier nodded and turned to go. Berk grabbed his shoulder and the man stopped.

"A moment." The soldier glowered at Berk, but the hand remained firm upon the shoulder.

"Sir Cameron, was this food properly tasted before it was sent to his majesty?"

Cameron frowned but caught the look in Berks's eye and cleared his throat before turning to the soldier.

"Was this food properly tasted? There is a danger to the king whilst the peoples are rioting. Hence the extra guards. Also, all food and drink must be tasted to make certain it is safe for the king."

"I know not. As I said, I am new this day."

Berk watched the man's Adam's apple bob. There was a fine sheen of sweat appearing on the soldier's lip, but no other appearance of nervousness.

"Then we should taste it now, to make sure that it is safe." Berk interjected. He felt the muscles beneath his hand tense and gave an almost imperceptible nod to Cameron.

"Soldier, since you are new, you would not know what honor you were given. As the royal bearer of his majesty's food, you also have the honor of assuring his safety by tasting the food."

The soldier shifted and Berk saw that the wine in the goblet shimmered in the torchlight. The tray was trembling ever so slightly. He met Cameron's gaze and reached for the tray.

"I shall hold it for you." Berk said.

The soldier reluctantly released the tray and shifted nervously on his feet. Cameron rested a hand casually upon his sword, but Berk knew it was not so casual as it looked. He had seen Cameron fight and knew the soldier would hit the floor before his heart beat twice more if he should try to flee.

"As you say, Sir Cameron." The soldier said, and swallowed again. He reached for the bread and broke off a little piece and ate it."

"You see. Quite safe."

"All of it. You must taste all of it."

Berk watched closely. The soldier seemed unconcerned as he reached for a bit of each item on the tray and sampled it. Berk also noted that he studiously avoided the salt cup. His majesty liked to salt his food before consuming it.

"There." The soldier said as he set the wine back on the tray. "I am still standing; therefore, it is safe to serve his majesty."

At this the man reached for the tray, and Berk noticed his entire demeanor changed. The soldier relaxed.

"The salt." Berk said and saw the soldier visibly tense.

"It must all be tasted." Cameron said, his fingers curling around his sword as he drew it slowly and held it at his side.

The soldier shifted on his feet and darted looks from Berk to Cameron as if measuring them. Suddenly he grabbed the tray and knocked it up, tossing the contents at Cameron. Undeterred by such a move, Cameron stepped forward and as Berk predicted, the man fell to the ground.

"That was clever of you to think of the salt." Cameron said as he knelt over the man, turning him so that he lay on his back.

Berk watched as Cameron searched his person for anything that could be used to identify the man.

"You will find nothing and no one will admit to ever seeing this man before."

"How did you know it was the salt?"

"I knew there was some trickery, but when we reached him, I could not see any weapons upon his person. I suppose he might have a small dagger hidden upon his person, but the tray was the more obvious threat. Once delivered, this man would be dismissed and the king would not die until the assassin could safely get away."

"But the salt?"

"I watched him very carefully as he tasted each item. He was unsettled by our discover of him. And when he tasted the items, he carefully avoided disturbing the salt. At first, I thought it only his wish to avoid spilling, but he moved away from it and tasted everything else, save the salt."