Epilogue
Just as the seneschal had suspected, throwing several important nobles on rather dubious charges provoked some unrest in Gwaren. Much of the unrest abated when it turned out that proof a real conspiracy was obtained from the prisoners. In the end it was Bann Odwin's daughter Ywaine who terrified confessed that her father had asked her to seduce the Prince, hinting that it could lead to a crown for her.
Bann Odwin was beheaded and his family was stripped of land and titles. Bann Alenna and two other nobles where simply never released from the dungeon in Gwaren. Most of Bann Odwin's estate was given to the seneschal Aiold who was given the title Bann too.
Ywaine got pardoned for giving the information that led to the arrest of the conspirators. She proved remarkably able to adapt to her family's fall from grace and secured a marriage to Master Theron, the leader of the merchants guild and one of the wealthiest men in Gwaren.
Ser Gavren's family was granted a pension from the Queen in recognition of his sacrifice. His son later became one of Prince Michael's favorite squires.
The heavy handed treatment of so many nobles still left a lot of resentment, but Michael left no one in any doubt what would happen to those who supported unrest. Within four months the loyalty of Gwaren was no longer in doubt and Michael returned to the court, where Anora eagerly awaited the return of her beloved husband.
