What next caught Gillian's attention was the noose hanging from the branch. She covered her gasp with a shaky hand and approached her husband.
"What's happening?" Although she had little doubt, the inane question lisped out anyway.
"We hang one of the rebels."
Her sickening suspicion confirmed, she looked from the rebel to the king and back to her husband.
"Now? Here?"
"Here. I told you of our plan. And as you have no permanent gibbet, this must do."
"We've not had a need for one ere now."
"I will remedy that soon enough."
"Must you do this?"
"Aye. And likely again tomorrow, when we finish our interrogation of the other."
The oddly suspicious look in her husband's eyes sent a shiver of anxiety along her spine. He seemed to be looking for something, but what? She turned to Edward, who also watched her with a strange expression.
"Sire, why must we do this here? Now? In full view of everyone?"
"We send a message, Lady Gillian," Edward said. "This criminal refused to speak. He attacked Lyndon, therefore England, with plans to ambush me. He stands by his treasonous actions and faces justice. Any who think to follow his path will know what they face when they are caught."
"But why now?"
Royce grabbed her arm, forcing her to face him. "It must be this way. The king wishes it. You dare much in questioning him."
"We've been at peace here for many years. In a sennight's time, we've now become a focus of the rebellion. Since you arrived!"
"He came on my orders, Lady Gillian." Edward stepped closer, his blue eyes icy and cold. "Forgive me, Sire, but so much has happened in the last weeks. First my father, and now..." The lines in the king's face softened. "Your father shielded you from much. But we have no choice. This man committed treason and must pay with his life."
Gillian gave a bleak nod. She turned to study the rebel. He stared back at her, an odd smile curving one side of hismouth. Royce's hand on her arm tightened. She looked away, and caught Eleanor's gaze. The queen bore an expression of understanding and sympathy, though she said nothing.
The executioner, likely one of Edward's men, climbed into the wagon. His face obscured by a black hood, he hauled the rebel to his feet and secured the noose around the condemned man's neck. The executioner then jumped to the ground. Gillian looked away as he gave the order.
"I die willingly for you and our cause, Lady Gillian!"
Her head snapped up at the rebel's shout; a moment later the creak of the wagon's wheels sounded eerily loud in the sudden silence.
"What? You lie! I am not one of you!" she shouted.
"Ultimately, we will win!" The outlaw stared right at her. Too stunned to speak, she gaped at his grinning face. The wagon seemed to move very slowly. Aware of stares upon her, she turned away at the moment the cart drew out from under the Welshman.
Her gaze landed on Edward, who again eyed her with suspicion. He must think her a traitor now, too. She backed closer to Royce, but his tight grip on her shoulders warned she'd find no sanctuary with him.
Edward spared a glance at the twitching body of the rebel, then slowly strode closer to Gillian. She could read nothing in his stone-like expression. Not even the chirping of birds could be heard in the ominous silence.
"Are you in consort with the rebels, Lady Gillian?"
She shook her head. "Nay, Sire. Ere the raid, I have never seen him before."
She looked around at the lingering crowd, some moving closer to the king and Gillian. Beyond Edward, the body of the rebel caught in its death throes seemed to mock her.
"Royce, will you see to this?"
"Aye, Majesty."
