Thirty-One
Alric
Autumn 961 MC
Prince Cuthbert turned to his aide, "Finch, go and unlock the armoury. You'll find the keys on my late brother. Once we're properly armed, we'll summon the watch commanders one by one. Either they'll join us, or be executed."
A man's voice carried across the hall, "Don't you think you're being a little premature?"
Cuthbert wheeled about to see Alric no longer unconscious. He had risen from the table and now, as he spoke, others were doing the same.
"What treachery is this?" demanded Cuthbert.
"You talk to me of treachery, Brother?" shouted Alric. "It was not I that conspired to poison the Royal Court."
"But how?" the elder brother replied. "Who betrayed me?"
"Lady Nicole came to us," said Alric. "It was her idea to play out this charade and lure you
