"Godwin will win the day! We'll tell you nothing!" The scruffier of the two shouted the words.
Edward drew back and punched the man square in the face. Blood spurted and the rebel howled in pain. Edward turned to the other.
"Do you wish to add anything to your dead comrade's words? He was quite eager to speak, from what I'm told, once he realized he would soon face God's judgment."
"Lyndon is not England's. It never has been." The man focused a steady stare at Royce.
"Look to your own, Panther. The wife you gained is not who you think."
Now it was Royce's turn to clench his fists. He too two steps toward the rebel. Edward halted him.
"Hear what he has to say first, Panther."
"He dares claim my wife is a traitor!"
"I would hear what he will say!"
The anger tightening Edward's face left Royce alarmed. Did the king believe the lies? He stepped back and Edward turned his attention to the rebel.
"You are either very stupid or very brave. No matter, you will tell what you know."
The rebel smirked. "Will it save me from the noose?"
"No." Edward spat the word out.
Royce wanted to shout with frustration. The rebel lied. Didn't he? Doubts he thought he'd dismissed rose again, much stronger than he wished.
"Then, I'll tell nothing."
Edward studied the rebel thoughtfully. "Oh, you will. Before we hang you, you will beg to tell us all you know. Both of you."
The terror in each man's eyes flared anew. Finally, the second rebel nodded.
"Very well. I'll tell you."
The first Welshman tried to protest, but choked on his words, a combination of desperation and likely blood as well, from his broken nose. The second silenced him with a nudge of his foot.
"Fear not, Igmar. I take great pleasure in telling the Panther his bride has been passing secrets to us for years. Now the king knows those he trusts most have made him a laughingstock!"
Edward gave Royce a curious glance. The suspicions in the king's eyes sparked a new round of worry. Did he believe the pronouncement? Royce didn't, not entirely, and it took all of his control to contain his rage.
"I know lies when I hear them." Edward nodded to Burke. "Fetch lard and stoke that fire. Where are the stocks?"
Royce stood back as Burke and the other the guards prepared. They dragged the Welshman toward the hearth, where the flames had been coaxed higher. With quick movements, they fastened his legs into the stocks, his feet exposed and about a cubit from the hearth. Another guard returned with the lard.
"How long do you think he'll last before he tells us all we need?" Royce asked.
"Not long at all." Edward folded his arms. "Rebelssuch as he are quite brave until we use a little persuasion."
Burke removed the rebel's boots and set about smearing the lard on his feet. The Welshman tried to slide away, but held between the stocks and another guard, had no chance of escape. Together Burke and the guards pushed the rebel closer to the fire. His harsh protests and pleas for mercy echoed in the room.
Edward held up a hand. "Will you tell all now?"
The rebel looked back toward his companion. Royce scowled to see the other man shake his head.
"Nay, I will not help you any further."
Yet the fear in the man's eyes betrayed the lie. He kept silent only on the encouragement of the other. Royce found himself anxious to hear the confession but more than anything else, he wanted to know if the man spoke the truth about Gillian.
