“Sir?” the housekeeper said; there was a slight beading of sweat on her brow, but her voice was quietly respectful.

“Attend, all of you.”

He pulled a leather tube from his belt, twisted off the cap that closed it and shook out a roll of heavy paper, the kind used for official documents. It was sealed with a blob of red wax and ribbon; he held it up, then showed it to his own second-in-command.

“Fulk, witness that this is the Lady Regent’s personal seal, and unbroken.”

“I witness it, Sir Garrick.”

The man went on in a loud official voice: “I am Sir Garrick Betancourt, belted knight and second son of the Baron of Bethany, Captain of Lancers in the Protector’s Guard under the Grand Constable of the Association, Baroness d’Ath. I will now break the seal and read this warrant.”

He flicked off the wax with a thumbnail, undid the ribbon, and opened it.

“The bearer has done what has been done by my authority, and for the good of the State. Signed, Sandra Arminger, Lady Regent of the Portland Protective Association, holder of the Crown’s rights in ward for the Princess Mathilda Arminger.”

Yseult’s breath caught again. He could have them all killed, right now, with that backing him up. With a warrant like that you could do anything.

“Fulk, witness that this is the Lady Regent’s signature.”

“I witness it, Sir Garrick.”

“By this warrant I am empowered to take possession of Gervais and arrest the Liu family as instructed.”

He turned to Romarec. “Pack for her ladyship: two sets of underclothes, two dresses, two surcoats, a cloak. They should be old clothes, linen and wool only, shoes and warm boots, socks. Bed linen, a blanket, the silly things a woman needs to primp with and whatever sewing project she has in hand. My squire Kai will accompany you. Make sure you put nothing dangerous in the bundles.”

“Scissors, sir?”

“Bring them to me. They will be delivered to Fen House.”

Romarec bobbed again, turned and turned back. “Fen House? Where is that?”

“That is none of your concern. Mary Liu is being arrested for treason. She will be kept under wraps there until such a time as the Lady Regent believes she can move forward in this matter.”

“Is House Liu proscribed or attaindered?” she asked.

“That is none of your concern either,” answered the captain.

Romarec drew herself up. “I have served House Liu for more than twenty years, my lord. I believe it is my concern.”

He gave her a nod of grudging respect. “No. For now the demesne is going to be under my guardianship until the Lady Regent has tried the Dowager Baroness. All her children need to be present for that. At the very least you can expect her to be kept under arrest in Fen House until Lord Odard returns.”