‘Thank you for pointing that out,’ said Galliott. ‘I need to see the Moidart. You keep an eye on the clerks, and make sure all the ledgers and papers are secure.’
‘Yes sir. What will happen now, sir?’
‘In what way, sergeant?’
‘Well, we’ve killed the Finance and his generals, and we’ve got most of his troops. So who is there to come against us? I mean the king is fighting Luden Macks. They won’t be able to send a big army against us.’
‘I’ll remember to make your concerns known to the Moidart,’ said Galliott.
The Great Hall at Eldacre Castle was rarely used. Once a year, on the Day of the Veiled Lady, its high, vaulted ceiling would echo to the sounds of music and laughter as hundreds of invited guests from Eldacre and surrounding areas came to enjoy the Moidart’s hospitality. The Moidart himself, who loathed such occasions, would appear at the start, greet a few of the most important guests, and then leave the gathering to the revellers.
Now two hundred and seven officers were gathered there. There was no seating, and the three huge fireplaces were empty of coal or wood. Lanterns had been lit, and hung on brackets around the walls, the flickering light reflecting from the marble statues set in the many alcoves. The floor had been decorated with a giant Fawn in Brambles mosaic, the family crest of the Moidart.
The attending officers formed a number of groups. The forty-one Eldacre men gravitated towards Galliott at the eastern side of the hall. The Pinancers remained separate. There was a feeling of tension in the air, and Galliott was only too aware that no order had been given to disarm the newcomers. All of them wore swords and daggers, and many had pistols tucked into their belts.
There were stairs leading to a gallery at the northern end of the hall, and it was from these that the Moidart made his entrance. An immediate hush fell over the crowd, and Galliott cast nervous glances at the waiting men, dreading that one of them would pull a pistol.
The Moidart, resplendent now in a grey satin shirt edged with black silk, grey leggings and riding boots, raised his arm. ‘Gather round,’ he said. ‘We have much to discuss.’
The officers edged forward. Galliott, his mouth dry, his heart beating wildly, moved to the front and left and stood watching the officers, his hand on the pistol in his belt.
The Moidart seemed unconcerned with thoughts of danger. His cold, hawk eyes scanned the men. ‘First, I have news from the south, gentlemen. The king is dead, murdered by those he trusted.’ Galliott’s fear of assassination melted away. The news was stunning. No-one spoke, and the Moidart allowed his words to hang in the air. ‘You will hear in the days to come,’ he said, after a few moments, ‘that the king was murdered by Luden Macks in a treacherous attack. This is not true. The king was slain by Lord Winterbourne. He was hung on a stake, his throat cut in a Redeemer ritual. His death was painful and slow. His children and his wife were also murdered.’
Galliott stared at the faces all around him. The silence held an almost unbearable tension. ‘Luden Macks is also dead,’ continued the Moidart. ‘Having signed a truce he believed that both sides would hold to the old notions of chivalry and honour. Lord Winterbourne’s troops attacked his camp. Macks was killed while trying to lead a counter charge. His men were scattered or slain. Those of his generals taken alive have been burned at the stake. Winter Kay and his Redeemers now rule the south.’
Once more he paused for a moment. ‘This leaves us with hard decisions to make. The Finance was misled by the Redeemers. He was told that I was a traitor to the king. Most of you will have heard this also. It is why he marched you all into my lands. He was tricked, lied to and deceived. He died for it. You are alive. It is my hope that you are king’s men, and that you will wish to see him avenged. It may be that some of you harbour Covenant loyalties. If so you may wish to see Luden Macks avenged. Others may desire to flee this coming war. By heaven, that is understandable. I wish I could flee it myself. Does any man here wish to leave now?’