Guardian of the Crown: an Epic Fantasy Novel by Paul J Bennett

Author:Paul J Bennett [Bennett, Paul J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Paul J Bennett

Twenty-Two

Discovery

Spring 967 MC

Gerald speared a sausage and was about to bite off the end when Anna entered the room.

"It's just as I suspected!" she exclaimed before throwing herself into a seat, with a triumphant look.

"What is?" he replied.

"The ring that was supposed to belong to Lord Edward."

"Supposed to? Whatever do you mean?"

"It's a forgery, though admittedly, a clever one."

"What makes you say that?"

"I went to the archives," said Anna. "Saxnor knows there are enough of Lord Edward’s messages down there to find a good example of his seal."

"So that's where you've been. What made you think of that?"

"I was reflecting on what Hayley said. If Sir Randolf lied about his namesake, it stands to reason everything else is a falsehood."

"Sir Randolf of Burrstoke is very old," said Gerald. "Perhaps his memory is simply failing?"

"Nonsense," she replied. "He's only slightly older than you." She grinned. "Unless you're admitting to forgetting things as well?"

"No, of course not."

"Well then, I'll take the word of a Mercerian knight over a foreigner any day."

"But Randolf is a Knight of the Sword."

"Which Randolf?"

"Both," said Gerald.

"Yes, but our pretender spent a lot of time in Norland. I'm beginning to think this was all a plot from Lord Hollis."

"But he died in the war."

"Yes, but I believe he put all these pieces into motion."

"Just out of curiosity, what leads you to think the ring is a forgery?"

"The last few letters from Lord Edward showed a flaw in his ring, as if it had been damaged. Here, let me show you." She produced a scroll she’d tucked up her sleeve, laying it out on the table, then using some cups to weigh down the corners. "Look at the seal and tell me what you see."

Gerald leaned in close. "My eyes aren't what they used to be, but I'd say it's a coat of arms."

"It is," said Anna, "but around it is the shape of a shield, yes?"

"Yes, what of it? From what I've seen, it's a common enough affectation."

"Yes, but note the edges of the shield. See how there's a slight cut through the one side?"

"What does that mean?"

"It means the seal was damaged slightly."

"How?"

"I don't know," said Anna. "Perhaps it was an accident, but it doesn't matter." She pulled forth another parchment, this time from her other sleeve. "Now, look at this and tell me what you think?"

Gerald bent to the task, drawing a candle closer to see more clearly. "There's no damage."

"Precisely. Now, that stamp is from what I'll call the Norland ring. This other," she said, pointing at the original document, "was written only two days before his death. The forgery is a good one, I'll give you that, but as far as I know, there's no such thing as a self-repairing ring!"

"So that proves the ring is a fake. Will that be enough to convince a court?"

"I hope so, but it still doesn't prove Lord Edward wasn't in Beaconsgate."

"You said the forgery was good," said Gerald. "What I'd like to know is how they pulled it off.

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