“You did a remarkable thing tonight,” Simon went on. “It is almost past the understanding of our people, that such a transformation could be possible. For now, they dwell on the wonder of it; by tomorrow, some will dismiss it as a trick of the light, and others tuck it in the back of their memory to be brought out only as a tale for their grandchildren. And there are some, I’m afraid, who may start to think again of sorcery.”

“You need not fear for your brother,” I said with some difficulty. “I will not remain here to be a burden to him. We had—we had an agreement…”

“Interesting,” he said softly. “What agreement was that?”

I was saved from reply by Father Dominic, who now rose and came over to greet me. Lady Anne, glowing with happiness at her son’s return, had barely listened to our words.

“Young woman,” said the priest, “your brothers have told me something of your strange story. Come, be seated and take some wine. You still look pale; you are not yet recovered from your ordeal.”

I sat; and at once, my brothers closed in around me, so that the protective circle was back in place. Diarmid was watching Simon, and the look on his face said, the only good Briton is a dead one.

“Richard of Northwoods,” said Father Dominic. “The man did wrong here today—well, I suppose it is yesterday, since we are past midnight. I made it quite clear to him that it would be—unwise—to rule in this young woman’s case without hearing all the evidence. And when we spoke in private together he expressed agreement. It was most unfortunate that I was called away before I had time to explain what we intended to the folk of the moot. For Lord Richard to announce a guilty verdict in my name as well as his own was not only a lie, but blatant misuse of the authority vested in him. To enact the penalty so swiftly smacks of something more sinister. He must be called to question for that, at least; and possibly also for other matters.”

“In all the excitement, it appears he slipped through the net,” said Simon, sounding very like his brother. “But he will not get far. I, too, have matters to discuss with my uncle. Though much of my past seems lost, some things I do recall. He has many questions to answer.”

“My elder son has gone tonight, with his men, to bring my brother back,” said Lady Anne. “This has been a matter of some distress to me, as you may imagine. I knew, when I rode out to fetch you today, that it might come to this. But I cannot expect my own people to act with integrity and courage if I do not show an example.”

“Well spoken,” said Father Dominic, and his eyes on her were compassionate. “I will take a keen interest in Richard’s answers. Tell Lord Hugh to send for me, when his uncle is found. I was shocked that a man in a position of such authority would act so; such abuses of power deserve a swift and firm response.”