THE KNIFE SLOWLY DREW BACK and I turned to face Norcross. The monster was grinning down at me.

Norcross dug the blade in again, and I felt the warmth of blood trickling down my neck.

“A nasty situation, fool. The lady Estella is the wife of the duke’s chamberlain, a member of the court. You must be mad to wag your dick at such a lady.”

Panic pumped through my chest as I realized I had been set up. “I did nothing, my lord.” My heart pounded wildly.

“The little dick had no urge.” Estella sighed. “It appears our fool’s only ardor is in his hair.”

Norcross grabbed me by the tunic and raised me, blade under my chin. Suddenly the bastard’s eyes lit up with recognition.

“His hair … I do know you from somewhere else. Where, fool? Tell me.”

I saw that I was doomed. I shot a glare back in his face. “My wife… What did you do to Sophie?”

“Your wife.” The knight sniffed. “What would I do with the wife of a lowly fool? Except fuck her.”

I lunged toward him, but he gripped me by the hair, and with the leverage of his arms and the blade stuck firmly under [160] my chin, forced me down, slowly, to my knees. “Listen good, fool. I have seen you. But where? Where have I seen your face before?’

“Veille du Père.” I spat out the words.

“That little shithole.” Norcross snorted.

“You burned our inn. You killed my wife and child, Phillipe.”

He was thinking back. The tiniest smile cracked his lips. “I do remember now… You were the little red squirrel who tried to stop me from dunking the miller’s son.”

Norcross’s smile widened. “And what of the vaunted Hugh? The jester of jesters who studied under Norbert at Borée?” His grin deepened into a roaring laugh. “You? You are an innkeeper! A fraud.”

I pressed toward him again, but his blade stabbed into my neck. I felt it cut skin. “You took my wife. You hurled my son into flames.”

“If I did, all the merrier, you lowly worm.” Norcross shrugged. Then he winked at Estella. “I can see you are greatly offended, my lady. Go now and report the affront.”

She righted her blouse and scurried away. “I will, my lord. Thank you for coming when you did.” She ran out of the room. “Guards …” I heard her shout echo. “Help me! Guards!”

Norcross turned back to me. His eyes were hard-set and victorious. “What do you say, fool? It seems the laugh is mine after all.”

I WAS HURLED, hands bound, into a dark, empty cell on the castle’s first floor. There I nervously passed the night.

I knew my fate was sealed. Lady Estella would play the offended role, just as she had played me last night. Norcross, the vindicated hero. It would be my word against that of nobles. All the laughter in the world couldn’t save me now.

I was jolted by a loud rattling at the door. A sliver of light appeared beneath it. It was day. Three brawny guards in Baldwin ’s uniform came into the room. The captain yanked me up. “If you know any good jokes, carrot-top, now would be the time…”

I was pushed roughly into the great hall. The court was buzzing with knights and courtiers just as it had been the day I arrived. A messenger was informing the court about some renowned knight who had been slaughtered by outlaws in a neighboring duchy.

Baldwin slouched in his elevated chair, chin in hand, and beckoned the man forward. “The vaunted Adhémar… killed in his own home?”

“Not just killed, my lord…” The messenger was clearly uncomfortable, forced to deliver such news. “… Impaled to the wall of his chapel by his own limbs, his wife next to him. The lord was crucified.”

[162] “Crucified,”Baldwin rose slowly. “You say he was roused from his own bed by bandits?”

“Marauders was more like it. They rode in armed and dressed for battle, their faces hidden behind their headpieces. They bore no markings on their armor except for one, a black cross.”

“A black cross?” Baldwin widened his eyes. I could not tell if his shock was sincere or pretended. “Norcross, do you know of such a band?”

From the crowd, Norcross stepped forward. He had on a long red surcoat and his war sword hung in his belt. “I do not, my liege.”

“Poor Adhémar.” Baldwin swallowed. “Tell me, messenger, what treasure did these cowards seek?”

“I know not.” The messenger shook his head. “Adhémar had just returned from the Holy Land, where he had been wounded. He was said to have come back bearing valuable spoils. I had heard the very ashes of Saint Matthew.”

“The ashes of Matthew,” Baldwin said. “Such a prize would be worth the price of a kingdom itself.”

“Only one relic is holier,” Norcross said.

“The lance of Longinus.” Baldwin ’s eyes flashed. “Whose blade was dipped in the Savior’s own blood.”

Hidden riders, burning and slaughtering. I did not doubt Norcross was behind these murders too. How I wanted to cut his throat.

“Lord,” Norcross continued, “Adhémar’s fate is sealed, but there is other business to be done.”

“Ah, yes, the fate of our little fool.” Baldwin waved the messenger away, then sat back down and with his finger motioned me forward.

“I am told, fool, your little dick was wagging itself around where it does not belong. You seem to have offended a great many people in your short stay with us.”

[163] I glared at Norcross. “It is I who have suffered the greatest offense.”

“You? How so?” Baldwin chuckled. “Was Briesmont’s wife so unpleasant?” He picked a fistful of nuts out of a bowl and began to munch.

“I never touched the lady.”

“And yet the evidence says otherwise. You contradict the testimony of a member of my own court. The offended party as well. Against the word of a fool… from what I am now told, not even a true fool.”

I wrestled in my bonds toward Norcross. “This noble member of your court has killed my wife, my lord. My wife and child…”

There was a hush in the crowd.

Norcross shook his head. “The fool has it in his mind that I ruined him as punishment for abandoning his obligation to you when he ran off to the Crusade.”

“And did you, knight?” asked Baldwin.

Norcross merely shrugged. “Truly, lord, I do not recall.”

A trickle of the cruelest laughter sprinkled through the room. “The knight does not recall, ex-fool. Do you contradict again?”

“It was him, your lordship. His face was hidden, just like it was to this poor knight spoken of today.”

Norcross stepped toward me, reaching for his sword. “Again, you incite me, fool. I will split you in two.”

“Be still.” The duke put up his hand. “You will have your chance. You make a grave charge, fool. Yet I am informed the Crusade continues, that the armies of Raymond and Bohemond are now in sight of the Holy City. Yet you, somehow, are here. Tell me, how was your service there discharged so soon?”

I was about to stammer back a reply, but to this charge I had none. I dropped my head.

A convicting silence filled the room.

[164] Baldwin curled a smile. “You claim injury, fool, yet it seems it is your offenses that begin to add up. To the crimes of adultery and fraud, I must add desertion.”

A rising anger swelled in my chest. I lunged, in my bonds, toward Norcross, but before I had gone a step, the duke’s men kicked me to the floor.

“The fool wants at you, Norcross,” Baldwin said.

“And I him, my lord.”

“And you shall have him. But it belittles you, knight, to take him in contest. I think I have let you suffer ill from this squirrel once too often. Take him away.” He waved. “At noon tomorrow you may chop off his head.”

“You honor me.” The knight bowed.

Baldwin shook his head sadly. “Fool, innkeeper, spy… whatever I should call you, it is a great shame. We will have to deal with Palimpost once more. For your stay here, you certainly provided a good laugh.” He stood, wrapped his cloak around himself, and prepared to leave. Then Baldwin turned. “And Norcross…”