Chapter 4: The Test of the Witness

The Lady Regent held her test at noon, in the full hall, with every bench full.

She sat in her usual front-row seat, composed as a cat.

"The Witness is new," said Morwenna Marrow, "and a court that trusts her ought to know her ear."

"A reasonable idea," said Emrys from the throne.

"A short one," said the Regent.

"Four of my people will each say one sentence to a mortal who wants to cross the Marchwood tonight."

"The Witness will tell us which of the four are true."

"They're all true," I said. "Nobody here can say anything else."

"Then she will tell us which of the four deceive."

A murmur went round the benches, because this was where the last Witness had lost her job.

Four fae stood up in a line with their hands folded.

The first was a tall woman with violet eyes.

"No traveller has ever died on the Marchwood path in daylight," she said.

I wrote it down.

The second was a boy with a crooked grin.

"The path is dry and well marked."

The third was an old man in a farmer's hat.

"The Hounds are kennelled at night."

The fourth was a girl who looked about sixteen and was not.

"You will be well looked after in the Marchwood."

I put down my pen.

"All four," I said.

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