the time, I don’t think he knew exactly what he was going to do with such a valueless property; he was frequently opportunistic that way. Then after Theode was born, he asked me to prepare the proper legal framework for a number of contingencies. One of those was that in the event of his inability to occupy the de Maris ducal seat, and if Arthur, for any reason, could not then immediately occupy the seat himself, I was to initiate a sequence of events that would place you upon the de Lunis ducal seat. I’ve had most of your life to make sure that this inheritance will be ironclad. And I’ve made certain that if the Nine don’t support it, they’ll emasculate themselves. Give them a day or two, and they’ll see that.”
“Well, now,” Rierma said, “they can no longer call us the Nine. I suppose they’ll call us the Ten.”
Charlie looked at Winston, and for the first time saw an old man without hope. But then something flickered in Winston’s eyes. “Your Grace,” he said, and dropped to one knee in front of Charlie. “At your father’s death I’d have sworn my allegiance to Arthur. But Arthur is not consecrated so I cannot. And I’ll not give my allegiance to that snake that now occupies the de Maris ducal seat. Will you accept my oath, Your Grace?”
Winston’s question stunned Charlie into silence and he didn’t know what to say. Rierma, standing behind them all, nodded silently to Charlie. Charlie spoke solemnly. “Of course.”
Winston bowed his head and placed his hand over his heart. “I, Winston, formerly sworn to His Grace, Cesare, of House de Maris, do solemnly swear before god and man that I give my allegiance to you, Charles, Duke de Lunis. I acknowledge you as lord of House de Lunis, and I swear to defend your rights as holder of all de Lunis properties and as master over its courts, and to abide by your judgments in all disputes.”
Charlie had seen the ancient formula spoken many times, had memorized that side of it so he could speak it before Cesare when he’d come of age. But he’d never thought to be on the receiving end, and while he had seen Cesare speak the proper response many times, he was going to have to fake it. He placed a hand on Winston’s shoulder. “And I, Charles, the de Lunis, do solemnly swear before god and man to defend your rights and those of your household against all claims and incursions, and to render unto you just and honest decisions in any and all disputes, and to judge fairly as your sworn liege lord.” Rierma nodded his silent approval.
Charlie helped Winston to his feet. “Your Grace,” Winston protested. “This is not proper.”
Charlie laughed. “I doubt there is anyone in Almsburg who thinks there is a proper duke occupying the de Lunis ducal seat.”
Paul shook his head vehemently. “You’re wrong in that, Your Grace. Besides us in this room, I think there are many here who feel the de Lunis seat is capably occupied. And to that end, I have this . . .” Paul handed Charlie a small package. “It’s from your father, though I don’t believe it’s a gift. He entrusted it to me twenty years ago, with the rather cryptic instructions that I was to give it to ‘the de Lunis.’ I tried to question him further since the seat was vacant, but he refused to say more than that I should keep it with me always, and wait until there was a de Lunis to accept it. He did say it was extremely valuable.”
Everyone looked on expectantly as Charlie opened the package. In it he found a small dagger, more decorative than functional, its handle studded with gems and precious stones. The blade wasn’t even plast, merely steel, and its balance was poor. Charlie tossed it to Ell, who caught it deftly and flipped it in the air a few times. “I’d hate to have my life dependent upon this blade,” she said, confirming his suspicions. “Even the steel is of poor quality. Perhaps the jewels?” She handed it to Winston.
He looked at it carefully and shrugged. “I’m sorry, Your Grace. I’d guess the jewels are merely colored glass. Worthless.”
Paul took the blade from Winston. “If Cesare said it’s valuable, then it’s priceless in a way we don’t understand.” He handed the blade to Charlie, then dropped to one knee. “I too would swear, Your Grace.”
After