At the gates of the Châtelet he said that the matter was urgent. After a brief interval he was escorted to the room Medor was using. Thierry gestured, and the other man dismissed the serjeants attending on him. Medor was still reserved, even chilly in manner. It didn’t matter. Not for this.

Thierry said, “A letter was sent to the Great Sanctuary. It made its way to my father. He called me to see it. He agreed I could bring it here to you.” He was trying for a brisk tone himself.

The provost took the letter, read it through quickly, and then again.

He looked up. “This isn’t really for me, is it?”

“Might be. They are headed for Orane, no? Your uncle sensed it.”

“You went to Gauvard?”

Thierry nodded.

Medor nodded. “We have word of that army. The constable has summoned the king’s forces to assemble. He will ride now with those who can get here quickest, others will follow.”

“That’s war, provost.” He kept it formal.

“Well, yes. An army is coming. Did you hear me?”

“I did. But this letter may give us another way. With the clerics of Jad now involved.”

Medor’s slow, almost reluctant smile. “You’re a lawyer. One could forget.”

“I prefer that being forgotten, usually. I did also send a note to the constable at his home. I don’t know when—”

A knock at the door. Medor called for it to be opened.

Robbin de Vaux entered. “Medor, we have something to discuss.” He stopped, registering Thierry’s presence.

“You received my message?” Thierry asked.

De Vaux shook his head.

“You just came here yourself?”

“From the court. A letter has been received. What is it you need? Why are you here?”

Sometimes the sheer randomness of life could astonish you. How could you ever invent a story, Thierry thought, that was more strange than what really happened? Easier to stick to poems of mock bequests!

“Same letter, I suspect,” Medor said, holding it up. “It also went to the Great Sanctuary.”

De Vaux was the quickest thinker Thierry knew. “And so to Ambroise Villar?”

Both of the younger men nodded.

Medor said, “Thierry thinks there may be a way to use this, bring in the clerics, perhaps forestall a war?” He said Thierry this time. That was good.

De Vaux nodded. “I had the same thought. That soldier from Barratin needs to give a sworn statement.”

“Before he’s killed?” Thierry said.

“Before he’s killed, yes.”

“Perhaps they’ve arranged for it already,” Medor said. “Giving a statement.”

“Perhaps. The cleric who wrote this letter seems an intelligent man. But we’re sending someone to take the details for us. I still have to leave with the army. And Medor, you’ll need to order the city into full defence. Have it proclaimed.”

“I know,” said Medor. “What else?”