Chapter 7: Adultery

Aldous came to the morning council with the steward at his side.

He walked slowly, with his burned wrist wrapped in white linen, so that every lord could see it.

The great hall was full.

Ysmera sat on the throne in her iron crown.

Torvald stood at the foot of the dais among the guards, with his face blank and his boots on.

"My queen," Aldous said. His voice carried to the back wall. "I bring a charge I would give my arm not to bring."

"Then bring it quickly."

"Last night, after the feast, this man saw the captain of your Dragonguard leave his boots at your door."

"He stood on the landing and listened until the sun came up."

A gasp rose from the benches.

The steward bowed his head and did not look at anyone.

"The law of Karnath," Aldous said, "says a queen who takes a lover breaks faith with the realm."

"Her husband may call the council to judge her."

He was almost trembling with joy.

Ysmera watched his hands, and saw how tightly he held the edge of his sleeve.

She rose.

The hall went silent.

"Tell me, Aldous," she said. "May a queen answer a charge by asking one?"

"The law allows it."

"Then I ask the law's own question."

"The same statute says that a husband who accuses his wife must swear his own faith first."

She held out her hand.

"Put your palm on the Crown Dragon's scale, there on the dais."

"Swear before the council that you have kept faith with me."

The scale hung from a gold chain beside the throne, a single red plate as large as a shield, taken from the first queen's dragon.

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