Jon felt mixed emotions when he heard the report about Dunlath.

Anger, certainly, that a Fief would dare plot rebellion against him, and to do so in such a destructive way was incredible. The bloodrain would have contaminated half of the country, destroying most of it utterly for decades and decades.

Caution too, for this was the first true uprising in his reign, disregarding the incidents during his coronation. The perpetrators, if left alive, would have to be severely dealt with. He was not the peacemaker like his father Roald, nor the empire-builder like his grandfather Jasson, but he had to have a firm hand on rebellion.

Unease, certainly, for the forces behind Dunlath bore the stamp of Carthak, that ancient enemy of Tortall. The presence of the Carthaki mage Tristan Staghorn was a telling sign, no matter his excuse to Numair, and combined with the Immortals, well, that bode ill for future years.

Sadness, as well, because Jon disliked sentencing anyone to Traitor's Hill. He never took joy in it, even when they deserved it in every sense of the word, but Dunlath was particularly a sad occasion.

He did not want to have to kill Maura.

The king had seen the child a few years before, a homely lass compared to her elegant older sister, but shy and charming. The baron of Dunlath and his family had come to Corus, and he and Thayet had dined with the family. He saw immediately through the elder sister's machinations to catch the wealthiest man at court, and such naked ambition irritated him. She could at least have the decency and sense to hide it, but then again, few people in her situation did.

The young Lady Maura, on the other hand, was fascinated by the stories bandied about – she was honest and forthright even at a young age, even though she was completely cowed by her family. He made it a point in the evening to speak with her. She had blushed becomingly, Jon remembered, and stammered through, and he noted that, although no beauty, she had a steadfast nature pleasing to behold.

Jon sincerely hoped she was not caught up in this foolish mess.