18 Even the perfect plan can fail

All the guards were recalled in the courtyard. It seems that the Silent General has already returned from his mission. Simon called back is replaced by a butler in charge of watching the door and is invited to follow the other troops.

In the courtyard the guards begin to pile up without order. Simon thinks "Of course, now that almost all the high offices in the city's army were executed, nobody is able to keep order."

The guards next to him begin to think about what to do "I heard the Count is scared. It takes everyone in the yard to show his strength before the general. The order of the rose did in a night what Uden was not able to do in all these months. "The other guard" Well I would say that he is right to be afraid. Held in check by two hundred mountaineers. How do you plan to face the war that is about to unleash along the border?"

"Well I'm not going to find out. As soon as my wife has given birth, I will leave Vanein. "

"But I have seen the good life that those following the Count do. So I decided that whatever he asks me to do, I will do it. I want to get rich. "

"I do not know whether to admire you or to blame you. I have seen the things the count asks to do to his most faithful. I would not sleep at night. Now silence. Uden arrives. "

The Count comes out of the gate of the castle followed by his most trusted advisors. Standing in front of the guards, he ordered the troops to place themselves at the sides of the courtyard.

Simon moves to the left side as he thinks "What nonsense. Divide forces on both sides against armored knights. They will crush us like gnats. "

A servant comes running from the gate into the walls, kneels and brings back what he has seen. "My Lord. The riders are coming to a gallop. Only about fifty are heading here while the others have carried a lot of prisoners to their camp. From what I saw, I believe the mission was a success. "

After a few seconds the sound of hooves fills the air. Even the objects of the castle begin to vibrate. About fifty knights come from the gate in the walls. At the center of the formation is the general, his attendant and, on a horse without a knight, a prisoner.

The three advance in the middle of the courtyard, between the two rows of guards and position themselves before the count. The attendant announces "My Lord Drevor Forb is here to complete his mission."

His legs tremble at Simon. The prisoner is Zacharias. The plan has failed. Apparently the general does not care about the reason for the rebellion but only execute his orders.

Drevor gets off his horse and accompanied by his attendant Luc Peiton approaches the Count's delegation and starts talking. "Good morning. As you know, the king has asked me to take care of the stability of this city in view of the war that is about to begin. "

The Count "As you can see, you did it very well: not only did you capture the rebels, but from what I see you also unveiled the criminal mind behind all this, my trusty Zacharias!" With a surprised and upset face.

Zacharias from the horse where he is tied "That you are cursed!"

The attendant, using the whip of the horse, hits the prisoner "Silence! There will be an opportune moment to speak. "

Drevor "In this regard. I expect to guard his judgment and my attending will be the prosecutor. "

Luc looking between the guards "Someone, as required by law, wants to have the honor of being the defense lawyer?"

Simon is petrified. What to do? Elza, standing beside the attendant, raises his thumb. "I will do it sir!"

Luc approaches the young man and accompanies him to the center of the courtyard. Then turning to those present. "It would be appropriate to choose the four witnesses between the two factions present here. I propose two men of the count and two of our knights. "

The perplexed count for the prolongation of the matter "Agree."

Four witnesses approach the group as the general announces "I will be the judge of this diatribe. Today we will evaluate the condemnation of Sir Zacharias for treason. You witnesses have the duty to certify what will be decided and on what evidence will be decided the possible punishment. "The witnesses confirm with a nod of the head and the hand on the heart.

Luc as an accusation begins to question Zacharias "Is it true that you conspired against Count Uden by commanding the rebels? I ask you not to lie since my ability allows me to mark the forehead of those who do not speak the truth. "

Zacharias "I never conspired ..." the sentence does not have time to finish that on the front of the knight appears a blood-red stain. "Shit! Ok it's true. I conspired against the count. "The symbol is slowly reabsorbed by the skin.

Luc urges "Is it true that you attacked the city and even the castle from your men?"

"It's true"

"And is it true then that you have broken your vow of obedience towards Uden Vanein?"

"It's true"

Drevor in front of them "Witnesses it seems clear to me that after this confession, nobody can deny what happened. The betrayal has been more than demonstrated. The defense, for fairness, want to add something? "

Confused Simon does not know how to behave. He approaches Zacharias, who is winking at him. Afflicted Simon begins "If I can I would just ask two questions to Zacharias and I would like the assistance of Sir Peiton's ability."

"Granted"

"Is it true that a few months ago you told the Count about the problems you encountered in evacuating the villages? For problems of course I mean thefts and abductions. "

Most of the guards, startled, start to murmur. Some instead exchange frightened looks with the count and his advisors.

Zacharias replies, "Yes, I brought the facts before Uden for help in resolving." No stain.

"And is it perhaps true that in order to silence you, the count has taken his two sons hostage?"

The frightened knight "No, it's not true!" A stain appears on the forehead.

Simon laughing "Do you want to reformulate your statement knowing that some rebels have released all the hostages tonight?"

Zacharias smiling "Yes, it's true!" No stains.

The general with a determined movement orders his soldiers to capture the noble lord of the city. "I apologize for manners forces, I would like to prevent pride from playing you a bad joke. It seems to me honest that in the face of such accusations Uden has the possibility to defend himself. "

The count of purple face barks "I will kill you all cursed! How dare you! "

Luc approaches the noble and begins "Is it true what Zacharias told?"

"No" Red stain.

"Is it true that your men have stolen the assets of the displaced?"

"No!" The stain widens to the eyes

"Is it true that the slavers we captured last night work for you and traffick human beings across the border?"

The frightened count looks around and shouts "Of course not! How dare you! "The stain spreads to the whole face" And then who assures us this ability is true. It is a scam."

Drevor offended "How dare you give me the scammer. Bring the examiner from the Uden court here. "

Soon the man who examined Simon's skill appeared in the city. Knowing already what to do is positioned in front of the attendant and passing his hand on his forehead "'Truth'! It is a rare skill. The books show that in the Peiton family some members have the ability to discern truth from lies. "

A roar. Then the panic. Some guards and councilors try to flee. The other guards shout "Liberate sir Zacharias! Zacharias hero !!! "

The knights in a few moments immobilize the fugitives and calm the remaining guards. The general at this point with a roar of the voice silences everyone.

"You can no longer raise my voice, otherwise I can not guarantee everyone's safety. In light of what has emerged and on the basis of the power given to me by my brother the king, I declare Zacharias guilty of treason against Uden and his punishment will be to work for this city until the end of his days. Instead, the Count will be executed immediately for high treason and slave trade. "

A very high knight, probably with giant blood in his veins, approaches the Count and with a sharp blow of the sword he beheads him.

"Now that the punishments have been executed, I appoint Sir Zacharias new Count of Vanein. Knight! You must swear to me that you will defend this city and our nation from every enemy or danger. "

Zacharias with tears in his eyes "I swear!"

The crowds that are crowded to see the event erupt in a cry "Long life to Count Zacharias Vanein!" A few seconds later the children Gemma and the son hug the father.

Simon breathes a sigh of relief and falls to the ground with pain and exhaustion.