The Void of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood Book 3)(22)

Dodd interrupted. “Let me tell it,” he said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “There was a little war between Chancellor Crabwell, Forshee, and Caspur. Forshee hoped to fulfill the chancellor’s orders to execute you, knowing they would all lose power if you rose. Caspur did not support either of them, but without enough men to openly defy them, he felt he could not act. As soon as Forshee witnessed your abduction, he fled the city by boat, and Caspur’s men joined forces with Captain Carew to defeat the chancellor’s personal guards, led by that villain Trefew. We tried to arrest Crabwell, but he went into hiding. The search goes on to find him. Caspur made sure Suzenne was safe and then came to the dungeons to free me and your other supporters.”

“Where did you go?” Suzenne asked.

Maia shook her head, refusing to disclose that information publicly. “I went to an inn for safety,” she said. “The mayor met me there and helped rally the people. Who is on our side?”

“It does not matter right now,” Dodd said, beaming. “When word spreads of this, supporters will come flocking to you. I would count on Norris-York. But watch out for the south. Kranmir escaped, and is no doubt bound for Augustin to cause trouble.”

Maia frowned.

Suzenne nodded. “He was one of the first to flee. I am sure he intends to wait out the storm at his abbey. You hold the capital city, Maia, but how you fare with the rest of the kingdom depends on how many earls support you and will fight for you.”

The mayor waved his hand. He pitched his voice lower so that the bystanders would not overhear. The commotion in the throne room would have made it difficult anyway. “Forshee will try and rally the people in his Hundred, but they will not fight for him when Dodd Price is standing near you.” He grinned mischievously. “He will be an outcast in his own lands, but then he was always an insufferable braggart and a cockroach. You will enjoy squishing him. Caspur is gambling on your weakness right now. You need allies, and he needs patrimony. He will watch the winds, though. You must be careful of him.”

“I am not my father, Justin,” Maia told the mayor. “I will rule by law and reward those who are obedient. I believe in forgiveness, and will give all of them a chance to prove their loyalty.”

The mayor’s eyebrows twitched. “Even Forshee?” he asked.

“Even him,” Maia replied. “You see, they were only doing as they had been rewarded for doing. My father did not value the truth, so he attracted liars. I am different, but I am also just.”

The mayor looked her in the eye. “Your father put me in my current position,” he reminded her.

She reached out and took his arm. “I have not forgotten that you served him. Nor will I forget the service you did me today.”

The Earl of Caspur strode into the throne room, flanked by several guards. He looked a bit nervous and pale as he approached her and made to kneel, but Maia waved off the gesture.

“Are the people being fed?” she asked him.

He seemed surprised that it was her first question for him. “Yes, my lady. The preparations in the kitchens are all underway, and the staff is working hard. It will take some hours before they are fully ready, but the commands have been given.”

“See that they are obeyed,” she said. “Thank you. That is my highest priority at the moment. It will be dark soon, and the people thronging the castle need to eat. What else do you have to report?”

He chaffed his hands together. “How will this . . . generosity be paid for?” he asked.

“The city can levy a one-time fee,” the mayor said offhandedly. “No need to worry about that, Caspur.”

“No,” Maia said, shaking her head. “My father has a treasury, does he not?”

“A substantial one,” the mayor replied. “It is spread throughout the realm and guarded to prevent any one cache from becoming all-important. I do not know the amount, but I have heard it is sizable.” The mayor scratched the strip of hair below his lip. “He hoarded wealth, my lady. He was loath to spend his own coin, and always asked others to pay.”

Maia nodded. “Then I understand your question. I will pay my obligations,” she said. “The cost for the food will come from the royal treasury. Who has the keys of the Exchequer? Crabwell?”

“Yes, my lady,” Caspur said.

“Has he been found?” she asked.

“Not yet, my lady. He was not seen leaving the castle. I have had guards placed at every door to look for him. He is skulking somewhere, and we will find him.”

“I want Crabwell found and brought to me,” Maia said with determination. “He is not to be harmed. If he surrenders now, he will be pardoned. I do not seek his blood.”

Caspur balked. “My lady, he—”

She gave him a stern look and he clammed up. “Go on, my lord,” she said softly.

“Well, I can see by your expression that you are prone to be merciful.” He shook his head. “He ordered your execution after your father was poisoned. If any man deserves to be punished, it is he.”

“I must say I agree, Your Highness,” the mayor chimed in. “Crabwell was chancellor of the Exchequer, but he took more authority upon himself than his station permitted. I understand he had men tortured into confessions. That is why he hides from you, my lady. He has committed a myriad of crimes, and he fears being held to account for them. Do not be rash in pardoning him.”