Page 100 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

“In here!” Nolan called.

A dozen more men poured into the hall, all wearing swords. Adelaide’s lips parted in shock. Gaius grabbed Minerva and pulled her away, toward the far end of the hall.

“Adelaide!” Minerva called, her voice desperate.

“Go,” she said. Gaius hurried Minerva out of the hall.

Nolan nodded at Adelaide. “You should go, too.”

“I’m not leaving until you take back your accusations.”

“Hargreaves will stand trial. The courts will determine if the accusations are true,” the sheriff repeated.

“And who will the courts believe?” Regulus shouted. He strode away from the closed stairwell door until he stood near her at the head of the table. “How am I to prove what I did or did not say? When was this supposed to be? I’ve been away on business. Does that even matter to you? To the courts? Or only the word of a baron’s son? I’ll take my chances with my sword, thank you.” He spun the sword around like it weighed no more than a stick.

Nolan rolled his eyes. “An honest lord would come willingly, Half-Breed.” Adelaide could have punched his perfect face.

“As an agent of the crown, I am authorized to use any force necessary to take you into custody so you can stand trial.” The sheriff ignored Regulus’ questions. Doubtless because he knew that the judge would favor the testimony of a baron’s son over the word of a lesser lord and former mercenary. The sheriff nodded to the three bailiffs, and they moved toward Regulus. “If you resist, you will be killed.”

“So my choices are death or death?” Regulus said, his voice hot with rage. He leaned toward her and whispered, “You need to leave. Now. I’m sorry.”

“If you are innocent, you have nothing to fear.” Nolan sneered.

Sure, right.Adelaide stepped in front of Regulus. “This is nonsense!”

Nolan scowled. “Get her out of here.”

Four more men stepped toward her and Regulus. Her first instinct was to pull her dagger from her boot, but what good would that do? There were close to twenty men in the hall, including Nolan and the sheriff. Regulus gently grabbed her arm and moved her aside.

“No one touches her.” Regulus looked at Nolan. “You have a problem with me? Fine. Be a man and challenge me to a duel.”

Panic rose in Adelaide’s chest.Etiros, how do we stop Nolan?

“Mm, no.”

“Then I challenge you!” Regulus pointed his sword at Nolan.

“Ha.” Nolan shook his head. “I don’t have to accept a challenge from a man accused of treason.”

“You think these men are enough to take me and my men?” A menacing smile spread over Regulus’ face and for the first time, Adelaide understood the mercenary that was all some people saw when they looked at him.

“Confident, aren’t we?” Nolan shrugged. “I’d wager they could, but if they can’t, there’s another ten in the foyer and fifteen more on standby in the courtyard. You can’t escape.”

“I don’t run,” Regulus said in a low voice. He raised his sword and adjusted his footing.

Adelaide clenched her fists.No, no. This can’t be happening!

“If you fight back, what happens?” Nolan asked with a wicked smile. He pointed to Regulus’ men. Perceval still held his drawn sword, his eyes fixed on Regulus like he was waiting for a signal to attack. Caleb and Jerrick held the carving knives at the ready, their eyes roving over the men in the hall. Estevan paced back and forth, a cat ready to pounce. Dresden’s fingers twitched, his gaze fixed on the knight nearest him. “If they fight with you, they’ll die with you.”

“That’s what we do,” Perceval said, his tone icy cold. “I know loyalty must be a difficult concept for a snake like you.”

“You want to be the first to die?” Nolan’s lip curled up in a sneer.

Perceval took a step toward Nolan, and Nolan’s knights moved to intercept him. Adelaide felt rooted to the floor, her voice trapped in her throat.

“Stand down, men,” Regulus said, his voice heavy. Perceval froze, as did the knights. They all looked at Regulus.

Adelaide’s breath caught. Regulus’ sword clattered to the stone floor, and the sound made her jump as it reverberated through the hall. Regulus raised his hands.

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