A week later, as I enjoyed a simple lunch within my office, I heard someone striking upon the heavy door to the chamber.
“Enter,” I called out.
The oak door swung open and Falco entered my office.
“My Lord,” he began, “Your magistrate has arrived and seeks an audience.”
“For what reason? I am busy here.” In truth, I was bored. I had finished my correspondence for the day, read all the reports from the various towns, villages and garrisons within my dominion, and dealt with the ambassador of a neighboring principality.
“He has apprehended a young woman from the village of Spring Meadows. She has been accused and convicted of stealing bread from the local baker.”
“This requires my attention because?”
“My Lord, the dungeons are currently full with disreputable dregs who would take advantage of the young woman in the reprehensible fashion of their kind. The magistrate wonders if you could procure a secure and reliable chamber to serve her penance in.”
I sighed. The magistrate I had appointed was too indecisive. He kept asking me to turn out the decisions I had appointed him to make.
“Does the girl have any connections I should consider? Any wealthy merchants or mayors who could raise a fuss?”
“She does a father, a one Maurice, an artist of ill-repute according to the mayor of Spring Meadows, though I doubt he would cause a stir, my Lord.” I raised my eyebrows in surprise.
“Which daughter of the artist has been detained?”
“The youngest, my Lord. She answers to Katarina.”
“I wish to see her,” I said. “And inform the magistrate his services are no longer required. Instruct my secretary to establish a list of new candidates for the post of magistrate.”
Falco bowed to me and walked out of my office, closing the door behind him.
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