Текст книги "Enemy of My Enemy"
Автор книги: Carm Nicosi
сообщить о нарушении
Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 14 страниц)
Chapter 16
For the next two days, Beautrice took care of Nathaniel, whenever he was not with his father or grandmother, and Jeffery and Angus, stayed nearby. Mid morning on the first of December, Isabel appeared at the top of the stairs, and descended to the hall.
Lady Ann, who was sitting near the hearth with Nathaniel, rushed over to hug her daughter.
“Thank God, you are alright," Ann said. "I have been so worried about you. What have you gotten yourself involved in?"
Taking her son from her mother’s arms, Isabel hugged the child to her.
Isabel replied to Ann’s question, "There is absolutely nothing going on, that you can help with. Though hopefully, my largest concern will soon be resolved. You really need not worry, Mother. Believe me, I have enlisted the aid, of those best positioned to help."
While the two women had been greeting each other, one of the Brant’s Knights, had left the hall to find him. He rushed in, a short while later, with the knight several steps behind him. Without a word, Brant walked to Isabel's side. Grasping her arm, he began leading her toward the stairs. Jeffery and Angus, moved from where they had been having a tankard, to the bottom of the stairs, blocking Brant's path.
Stopping in front of them, Brant asked, "Do you gentlemen have a problem, with me speaking to my wife?"
"Nay, My Lord, there is no problem with you talking to the Lady," Angus answered, looking pointedly at Brant's grip, on Isabel's arm. "However, we are under orders to see that the Lady is not harmed. It seems like some of her recent activity, may have made you a little angry."
Brant let go of Isabel's arm, glaring at the knight. Obviously, these men, who had been foisted on him, intended to keep him from getting to the bottom of, whatever his wife was up to.
Isabel turned slightly toward Brant, and said, "As I was telling my mother, hopefully, much of this current difficult situation, will be resolved within a few days. I have decided, I like the room across the passage from your Solar, if that is alright with you." When Brant sent another glare in her direction, she continued, "Aye, My Lord, I can see that it is fine, with you."
Thwarted in his attempt to get Isabel alone where he could question her, Brant turned, and angrily walked to the table. A serf brought him a tankard, which he immediately took a big draught from in frustration.
Isabel spotted Rosamund near the hearth, and went to greet her.
"Tis good to see you well, Rosamund," Isabel said. "I was concerned that my actions, might have repercussions for you."
"Ye had us all very worried, Me Lady," Rosamund chided. "I was afraid you might not return."
"Well, as you can see, I am fine. Could you do me a favor, and see if Cora is around?" Isabel asked.
"Aye," Rosamund answered, and went in search of the requested serf.
Isabel greeted the others there by the hearth, all the while, hugging her babe to her. She deflected any questions about where she had been, these past few months, offering no explanations. Minutes later, Rosamund appeared with Cora in tow. Isabel went to meet the women halfway.
"Have you been seeing to that matter, I asked you to take care of for me, Cora?" Isabel asked, without preamble.
Cora replied, "I did the first time, but Nora said the second time, that ye was gone. She was not going to do it, unless ‘Is Lordship says it is alright. Ye know how she feels about that. So I just gave ‘er some of the money ye left."
"I see," Isabel said. "If I have Nora get the supplies ready, could you take them to the village? Mayhap, you can have William go with you?"
"Byron would be better, Me Lady. I think he is sweet on her," Cora countered.
Isabel laughed, and replied, "By all means ask Byron, then."
After giving Nathaniel one more big hug, Isabel handed the babe over to Rosamund, and headed to the kitchens, to find Nora.
Brant watched this exchange from across the room, listening intently to every word. He found himself very uncomfortable, seeing his wife talk so amiably, with his former favorite tart. He wanted to know what this matter, they had discussed was. This was his Castle, he had a right to know about everything going on here. Assuming Isabel would not be telling him about the 'matter', he sent one of his knights to the village, to wait for Cora, and see where she went. Brant himself, suggested that a couple of his men joined him out in the practice yard, to cover his interest in Isabel's activity.
Twas about a half an hour later, when Brant saw Cora and Byron, leaving to complete their errand in the village. They were carrying what he guessed were supplies from his Castle. He was going to find out where they were taking them, and why.
Later that day, Brant was directed to the hut in the village, where his supplies had been taken. He tapped at the door, and it was opened by a young woman, who was familiar to him. It took him several moments, to recall that her name was Ruth.
“May I come in?” Brant asked, pressing forward without waiting for a reply.
Brushing past Ruth, he spied the only other occupant of the hut, a young girl of about seven years of age. He stopped short, noting how much she looked like Nathaniel. He tried to move closer to the child.
Ruth stepped in front of him, and said, “Leave us alone, Me Lord.”
He noted that her voice wavered slightly, and she looked really frightened of him. Yet, she placed herself between him, and the child.
“How is it, that my wife was here for only a couple of months, and Isabel knows about her. While I have lived here her whole life, and I am just now finding out?” Brant demanded.
“Me sire went to the ol’ Lord, about how ye hurt me. When I knew I was to ‘ave the babe, I did not want ye to know. But me father said, ye should see to ‘er needs. Yer sire agree to see to her, and not tell ye, cause we was afraid ye might hurt me, again. He ‘ad supplies sent for her, until he died. Cora brought Isabel here about Mary, cause things ‘ave been bad, since yer sire has been gone,” the terrified woman said, before falling silent.
“Cora, knows about her? And she went to Isabel, not me?” Brant asked.
“Yer sire brought Cora ‘ere, to try and keep ye away from the maids, in the village. Cora were wed once, but when she could not have no babes, her husband set ‘er aside. The old Lord told ‘er about Mary,” Ruth said.
“In the future, you will let me know what you need for her, alright?” Brant asked.
Ruth nodded with a reluctant look, that said she would rather confront a pack of wolves. He looked at the child for a few moments more, before turning to leave the hut, without another word.
As Brant rode back to his Castle, he thought about the night he had Ruth brought to him. He had been about a score years old, at the time. She was about five years younger, and untried. He had spent most of the night riding her body, though she had told him ‘no more’ several times, even begged him to let her go. He recalled at first she had merely, passively lay there, while he mated with her. He had not thought much about her pleas, that he was hurting her. He was heir to these lands, trying out the maids in the village was his right, if he so desired. The Lord was responsible for the safety of his people, from raiders or invaders. And each serf and their family, owed certain labor, and deference to the Lord, and the knights, who protected them. He had to have the archers, and trained forces, to protect his lands, and people. That was the way it was, so why was he feeling as though, he had done something wrong?
Isabel knew about his treatment of the maid. She had lured him to her Castle, and seduced him, even though he had said, he did not want to do that. Was this a taste of his own medicine? Mayhap there was method, to Isabel’s madness. She certainly was making him think. Now if he could just find some answers.
Brant was in a much better mood, when he, and the knights who had escorted him to the village, returned to his Castle. Even when he could not fathom what she was about, Isabel seemed to know, just what needed to be done. Mayhap, whatever she was up to, would in fact be resolved soon, as she claimed. He had to admit, his lack of any control over his wife rankled him. But Brant suspected, that doing anything other, than going alone with her, would likely land him back in some dungeon. It seemed unlikely, that she was operating solely on her own agenda.
Shortly after the evening meal, the sentry announced riders approaching the Castle. Within a few minutes, Niles entered, looking to be in a foul temper. He went directly to Brant, and spoke to him in a low angry tone, all the while, glaring at Isabel. Brant rose, and catching Isabel’s eye, motioned her toward his study. She motioned for Beautrice to watch the babe, before looking to her mother. Catching Ann’s attention, Isabel nodded her head toward the study, indicating Ann should come with them. She made a similar gesture to Angus, as she passed him, and he followed Ann in. Once inside the small room, Isabel seated herself next to her husband, who had taken the seat across from the Duke. She clasped Brant’s hand, in what might look to others as an innocent, affectionate gesture. Brant nearly laughed, wondering what she was up to. Lady Ann had taken a chair, positioned at the end of the two settees, that faced each other. While Angus took up a standing position, near the door.
When Isabel gave her husband a so what look, and squeezed his hand, Brant said, “Niles has come here, with a most peculiar tale. Actually, he has a rather unbelievable accusation, against you.”
When Isabel looked blankly at Niles, he began his angry accusation, “Late last night, I awoke to find myself quite groggy, and barely able to move. To my complete shock, I discovered your wife in my private chambers, in my Castle, with two of her knights. She instructed them to move me to the foot of the bed, where I was tied with my hands behind my back, to the bedpost. She then, instructed her men to strip my shivies from me. I was left there, unable to move or free myself, in a most embarrassing position, for my serfs to find.”
Isabel glanced at Brant raising an eyebrow, as if to say, are you crazy, before looking back to Niles.
“Let me get this straight. You, My Lord, are alleging that I somehow, got over your Castle wall, and past all your security forces. Mayhap, by flying on broomstick? Then, invaded your private chambers, with two men?” Isabel paused, holding up two fingers. Continuing, she said, “Then drugged you. Tied you to a bedpost, naked. And left you there. Do you have any idea how insane that sounds, My Lord?”
“I know it was you. I saw you. I heard you,” Niles stated, emphatically. Then, turning to Brant, he said, “I demand you do something about her. She must be punished for this outrage.”
Isabel glared at him, and before Brant could speak, retorted, “You Sir, abused me more than enough, the night you exposed yourself to me, and then slapped me. I demand that you find whatever little tart, you where involved in some deviant behavior with, and punish her, for leaving you in a compromising position. Do I hear more of this insane tale, I will consider it, an act of war. Know you, that I have been granted control of my own forces, by order of the Crown. Do you continue, I will have to declare war on you, putting Brant in the position of choosing to back his wife, or his cousin. A choice, I do not believe will go your way, My Lord.”
“This is not an insane accusation. I know you did it, just as I say,” Niles stammered.
Isabel glanced to her mother, then to Brant, before returning her eyes to Niles.
After placing an index finger beside her mouth, as if considering, she said, “Common sense, would argue against any truth, in your accusations. If you actually believed, I could get past all your security to accost you while you slept, tis unlikely, you would be here demanding I be punished. Twould be more likely, you would want to know, did I consider us even. You know, so you can be sure, I will not be coming back to slit your throat, in your sleep. I know not, what you hope to gain by this outrageous insult, but I insist, Sir, that you desist, immediately.”
Finishing, she rose, and left the study.
Niles looked to Brant, arguing, “I am telling you the truth. She was in my bedchamber, with her men.”
Brant, copying Isabel’s lead, gave Niles a disapproving look, and said, “I am afraid I will have to agree, with my wife. This is most unlikely. You need to find whatever tart, left you in a most embarrassing position, and punish her. Send the tart away.”
Niles then looked to Lady Ann, who said, “You exposed yourself to my daughter, and slapped her? What kind of disreputable, miscreant are you? You disgrace your title, Sir.”
She also rose, and walked out. This left Brant, Niles, and Angus, in the room.
“What I say is true, Brant,” Niles stated, trying to sway his cousin.
“It seems an unlikely story. However, if you find your tart, I will try to determine if there is any risk, that you may have your throat slit, while you sleep. Agreed?” Brant responded.
Niles was furious. He was a Titled Lord. He had been abused quite badly, by a woman. Worse than that, a woman who held lands, that were nearly twice the size of his lands. He could not even chance, having her declare war on him. He had no intention, of letting Isabel get away with what she had done. However, Brant was not going to help him, so he merely nodded in agreement. He could not risk Brant’s ire, either. Niles had hoped, that he could set his cousin against his wife. Thereby, getting Brant to remove one of Niles’ problems, for him. What she had done was a very grave offense, that could Niles prove it, would carry dire consequences. He had not expected that Isabel would so adeptly turn the situation, to Niles partaking of some deviant behavior, with a serf.
After making her exit from the study, Isabel took Nathaniel up to the chamber she had settled into, across from Brant. She had been there only a short time, when Lady Ann knocked on the portal. Isabel opened the door, to tell her mother she was very tired, and assured her they could talk, in the morning. Ann wanted to argue, but decided it could likely wait until morning. So she wished Isabel a good night, and made her way down the passage, to her chamber.
A short while later, Brant came up the stairs behind Nora, who was showing Niles to a guest room. He knocked on the portal across from his Solar, and called his wife’s name. He noticed Niles lingering in the doorway briefly, before following Nora into the guest chamber.
Beautrice opened the door to Isabel’s chamber, looking to see that the passage was clear, except for Brant, and quickly made her way across the passage, with Nathaniel. He was slightly surprised, that the child was being taken to his chamber. However, the door was wide open, so he entered to talk to Isabel.
“Are you done, as regards my cousin?” Brant asked his wife.
Isabel met his eyes, and replied, “Did I have the means, to get inside his Castle, believe me, I have no future plans to do so, at this time.”
He smiled, noting that she neither confirmed, nor denied, being there. She only assured him, she had no future plans, to go there. Brant wanted to stay, and question her further, but Isabel claimed fatigue. So he wished her good night, and crossed the passage to the Lord’s chamber.
Once inside his bedchamber, Brant thought about how smoothly she had turned the situation on Niles. How would she get in his castle unseen, fly on broomstick? He laughed. She had threatened him, with worrying that she might come back, to slit his throat. My God, she was good, Brant thought. Even better, right at present at least, she appeared to be on his side. Although, he had no idea what Isabel was about, or why she was goading his cousin. He prayed her, and her supporters, knew what they were doing. Niles was a powerful man, born into a high position, that you did not trifle with.
Chapter 17
A couple of hours later, Isabel sat brushing her hair, with a lone candle burning, that barely lit the room. Everyone else in the Castle, was likely fast asleep, by that hour. Suddenly, the door opened, and Niles slipped in. His eyes quickly darted around the dimly lit room, settling on the cradle.
“Get out,” Isabel ordered. “Or I will scream, and wake the Castle.”
Niles quickly moved to stand beside the cradle, in a darkened corner, of the chamber.
"You will not scream, if you value your son's well being," Niles said, displaying a dagger. “You will keep your voice down. Where is the book?”
“What book?” Isabel replied.
Niles replied, “You were in my Castle. All the diagrams, showing the passages were in the book. I know you have seen it. Where is it?”
Isabel answered, “Oh, that book. The one with the birth records, for you, and Brant’s sires. That book?”
Niles smiled. “Now, we are getting somewhere. You have obviously seen the book. Where is it?”
Isabel said, “Aye, I have seen it. It was with my father's papers at his stronghold. Though, I do not understand some things. One of Avery's men said you met Eric as he was leaving Lady Peggy’s, and helped Avery ambush him. You had his title, why kill him?”
Niles stated, “I had the title, he had most of the property. Even worse, most of my properties are in Normandy. Tis pure folly, to try to protect, and manage lands, with the channel between them. The property should go with the title. So what if Eric was legitimate, and my sire was not. My sire was the eldest, he should get the title, and the fiefs. I should have both.”
“Oh, so it is just greed,” Isabel interjected.
“It is what is right,” Niles insisted. “Avery’s plan with Lord Eric, went perfectly. The idea worked well with your sire, too. Only, Avery met up with him, to ask him to reconsider helping him. My men met them a short while later. That was a little dicey, as our side, was only two men stronger."
"So you were involved in my father's murder, as well?" Isabel asked in surprise.
"Avery was desperate, and I could not openly side with him," Avery lamented. "His plan to kidnap the girl, should have gone equally well. Then, I would have the property that should go with my title, through the girl. At least, until a sufficient time had passed, to allay suspicion. I know Avery had the girl. I do not know why it did not work. Brant should be dead, not Avery.”
Isabel replied, “Aye, it was a good plan. Not very honorable. The only big mistake you made, was discussing it in front of me. That, and showing me what a despicable person you are. My only question is, since you discussed the plan, two weeks before Esme was taken, why did your warning arrive, four days after it happened? Was your message delayed? Or, was it merely sent to allay suspicion?”
Niles chuckled, and said, “That gullible husband of yours, thought I was helping him. If Avery failed to kill him, I knew the warning, sent after the fact, would allow me to stay close to him until another opportunity arose."
"Aye, you certainly had Brant fooled, into thinking he could trust you. And before, I was too young to be considered a reliable witness against you," Isabel said. "However, I am not anymore."
"It does not matter what you know," Niles said. "I did not count on you, or the boy. However, that might actually help me. Brant was quite off his game, when he returned here alone, after you two wed. When you vanished with the lad, he was struggling again, not to get despondent. He could easily have overindulged in spirits, and met with an accident. Then, I could control his holding for many years, as the lad’s guardian. Until I acquire an heir, your son is in line to inherit my fiefs, too. Since I also have a copy of the book, I know the secret passage is off this chamber. You are going to be leaving with me tonight, or you son dies.”
He reached down, to lift the babe out of the cradle, and realized it was just a doll, under the blanket.
Alarmed, Niles asked Isabel, “Where is the boy?”
The knights, William and Byron, stepped out from behind a dressing screen. Isabel started to light more candles, to brighten the chamber.
She answered, “He is in his father’s chamber. Did he say enough to arrest him, and search his castles for the girls?”
William nodded to her, and then told Niles, “You Sir, are under arrest for murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, knowingly impersonating a high official...”
Realizing he had been set up, Niles said, “You deceitful witch. We should have just killed you.”
He jumped on to the bed, lunging toward Isabel. She pulled her feet back, and rolled away from him, coming to her feet on the floor, beside William. The knight quickly stepped between her, and the despot.
With the two knights now between him, and Isabel, but the door right behind him, Niles decided to attempt an escape. He moved into the dark passage, which was suddenly flooded with light, when Angus lit a torch near the next room. With the path to the rear stairs blocked by Angus, Niles ran toward the main stairs, and began to descend. He knew if he could get to the cellar, he might still gain access to the secret passage, and escape to fight another day. Torches were lit in the hall, bathing it in light. William, Byron, and Angus, ran after Niles, with Isabel following. From the top of the stairs, Isabel saw Hyram, one of Brant's top knights, in the hall with his sword drawn, blocking Niles path of escape. Niles had traveled there with three of his knights. Two of them, who had bedded down on the floor in the hall, rose and drew their swords, confused about what was going on. She watched, as Hyram ordered Niles to surrender, but he choose instead to draw his sword. Several of Brant’s Knights, who were sleeping in the hall, followed Hyram’s lead, and surrounded Niles men, who quickly surrendered. Isabel stood transfixed, watching Niles and Hyram circle, amidst the clash of swords. Clearly, the Duke was not going to be taken into custody, easily.
Then, Isabel was picked up from behind, carried into the Solar, and dropped on the bed. She missed the sword fight, that ended with the death, of the most despicable titled Lord, Isabel had ever met. Twas likely a good thing, Brant thought to get her away from the events in the hall, she realized later. The wounds from sword fights she had seen after the fact, were nearly enough to make her wretch. Though, after depositing her safely in his bedchamber, Brant went right back out to watch.
After a while, things quieted down. Byron, who had been in the antechamber, to keep her out of the way, came in to tell her Niles was dead. That was good news to Isabel, who realized the last couple of days, had been long and difficult. She decided to wrap a blanket around her shoulders, and lie down to rest, for a little while. When Ann came in a short time later, her daughter was fast asleep.
When Isabel awoke the next day, she could tell by the sunlight streaming into the room, it was very late. She stretched, and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Ann rose from a chair near the hearth, and came to sit on the edge of the bed.
"Well, I see you are not quite going to sleep till the noontide. I came in, when they were cleaning up downstairs to sit with you, but you were sleeping like a babe," Ann said.
"Trapping murderers is tiring work," Isabel told her mother, flippantly. Then, more seriously, she said, "William, Byron, and I, got no sleep the night before last, tipping my hand, as it were, to Niles."
"How could you get yourself involved, in something like this? My God, you could have been killed," Ann chided.
"It is not like I set out, to get involved with murderous thieves, Mother. Avery started all of this. Most of what I have done, was to protect myself, and survive the situation I was forced into," Isabel stated, defensively. "After Nathaniel was born, then he was in danger, too. Do you expect me not, to try to protect my child?"
"It appears you forgot something, while you were fighting criminals," Ann said. In response to Isabel's questioning look, she continued, "The babe. You are still carrying the child. Brant was furious with me, for reminding you of the roots that can cause a miscarriage. Alisa, your husband is really frightening. When I saw you laying there last night, I could tell you are still expecting. Why would you let him think the worst? I certainly, did not enjoy dealing with his temper."
"Somehow, I think Brant is going to figure out, that I did not do what he thought. Niles was livid about Nathaniel. Another child, seemed like it would put me in a lot more danger. When he got notice that I was to be granted control of my resources, Brant made his position clear. He said if I did not return Nathaniel to him, he would knock down my Castles, until he found his son. What do you think his position would have been, if he knew that I still carried his second child?" Isabel posed to her mother.
When Ann just shook her head, Isabel pushed back the blankets, and said, "I had better get up. I wonder if I can find anything to eat around here, still."
Ann stood up, as the women heard the sentry announce guests. She told Isabel, "I will let you get dressed. I believe your husband has a lot of questions. Several of your knights, and a couple of his, rode out shortly after Niles died last night. He wants to know how his men were involved in this, without his knowledge. Oh, and 'what in Hades is going on', I think he said."
"Wait for me," Isabel said.
She got a clean gown from her trunk, and slipped it on. Ann helped her brush her hair out a bit, and tie it up. As they left the Solar together, the sentry was heard, again.
In the hall, Isabel discovered Robert, and Kate, had arrived. Nora met her near the stairs, to ask if she would like some thing to eat, and she nodded in the affirmative. She walked to the table, where a serf explained that breakfast had been served late, due to the excitement during the night. Brant and Robert walked over, and sat down by her at the table.
"Would you like to explain yourself, yet, or is there more to come?" her husband asked.
As Isabel was about to answer him, the door opened. William and Hyram entered, and approached her. As they joined the others already seated at the table, Isabel gave them a questioning look.
Hyram replied, in answer to her look, “They found one of the girls, though she is in rough shape. She had been badly abused. According to the serfs, two others died. However, there are also a couple of girls missing, from a nearby village. Some suspect Niles in their disappearance, too.”
Brant interrupted, “Am I confused Hyram, or are you supposed to work for me?”
“Aye, My Lord,” Hyram answered. “However, when William approached me with orders from the King, it seemed in everyone’s best interest, to aid him. Particularly, when provided with information that Niles, had been a part of the group, that ambushed your father. He and Avery had a similar plan for you. Since I am frequently at your side, if they were allowed to proceed, I would likely be killed, too. While I am not afraid of death, I would like to avoid it, for as long as possible.”
“How exactly, was this alleged plot uncovered?” Brant asked.
The knights looked at Isabel.
“Twas Avery,” Isabel said. “He was showing me off to Niles. They got into the plan to kidnap Esme, then use her to lure you into an ambush. Avery said it would work, just like with your father. He said Niles and his men, could meet up with you, a short distance from your Castle, so your people would not know he was there. When you met Avery’s men, you would be outnumbered."
"We had conflicting information, as to which side Niles was actually on," William said. "Robert and others, said he was gaming Avery, to get information for you. Isabel felt certain, that he was all for Avery besting you."
"I was sure that Niles was working with Avery, because of my father's take on his family," Isabel said. "Edmund believed Niles sire, was a murderer. Right after Lady Gwenivere, and her father, were killed, Niles family claimed to have purchased what was to be her dowry, a few days prior to their deaths. Father swore the son, was worse than the sire. Though, he would not say why."
"There was a good deal of suspicion about Niles for a couple of reasons. Several Ladies he expressed an interest in, turned up missing. However, it was not until after Nathaniel was born, that one of Avery's men claimed to have heard Niles speak of the ambush, on your father," William said. "Niles supposedly said, 'Eric never suspected anything, until the end. Since no one knew Niles was there with him, all suspicion fell on Avery'.”
"Unfortunately, the man was in trouble for other crimes. Therefore, he made a dubious witness, against a titled Lord," Isabel said. "Twas only a matter of weeks ago, that a reliable witness against him surfaced. Niles tried to approach some mercenary types, since Avery was gone. Then, we got the go ahead, to set a trap for him."
When they fell silent, Robert interjected, “So you took their plan to kill Brant, and used it to kidnap him?”
“It was a viable plan,” Isabel said, with a shrug. Then, she continued with her tale, “It was pretty clear that Niles intentions with me, were not honorable. My father had the binder, the one I gave you, Brant. Twas about your family, so I went through all of it, for information on the enemy. What I found was fairly shocking. According to the papers, Niles father was the son of the Duke, and one of the Castle Ladies. Your father, was the Duke and Duchess’ child, born four months after the Duke's illegitimate son. So, the family of the older child, hatched a plot to kill the Duke, Duchess, and their son. However, when they initiated the attack, the Duke was able to delay them long enough, for the duchess to escape, through the secret passage, with the legitimate heir. After that, a lot of members of both families were killed, trying to protect, or assassinate, your father. To stop the bloodshed, they came up with a treaty, which gave the older child the title, and about a third of the property. The legitimate heir, got the rest of the property, but not the title. Which worked until Niles inherited. He told me last night, he had the title, he should have the property, too. That is why I went to his Castle. So he would know I had the binder. You see it had diagrams of the locations of all the secret passages, in your families' Castles and Keeps.”
