Lord Matlock sighed. “Why do I think this is going to be more bad news?”
Aelfric faded back into the shadows.
The footman halted in front of them. “Lord Matlock, Mr. Biggins is here to see you.”
The earl’s eyes drooped, and he murmured to Elizabeth, “From Darcy’s Board of Inquiry.”
Elizabeth stiffened. These must be the men hunting for Darcy.
Lord Matlock stood and said affably, “Mr. Biggins, it is always a pleasure to see you, but as the bard said, our revels now are ended, and I believe you were not on the invitation list.”
“I am here on Collegium business, Matlock. The Board of Inquiry has made a decision. Under Collegium law, Darcy must submit himself for binding. He has fled from us, and we have reason to believe he may be here.”
“I have always wondered why our founders chose to invest such power in Boards of Inquiry,” Lord Matlock remarked. “Perhaps they assumed the members of such boards would strive for justice rather than acting out of personal spite. Still, we make do with what we have. In this case your judgment will have to be suspended. There is new evidence in the case which exonerates Darcy.”
Biggins scowled. “New evidence must be presented properly. We will bind Darcy now, and should this supposed evidence change our judgment, he will be released.”
Matlock shook his head gravely. “I fear that would be a poorchoice on your part. Darcy has resigned from the Collegium and can no longer be required to submit for judgment, and tonight he is under the protection of mages far more powerful than you – and I do not refer to myself.”
“We have listened to you long enough, Matlock. He must submit now.”
“And I say you must listen to the new evidence now. Prince Aelfric, might I be so bold as to impose on you to make certain explanations to these gentlemen who want to bind Darcy? Gentlemen, this is Prince Aelfric of the Sidhe.” Lord Matlock leaned back, clearly preparing to enjoy the spectacle as Aelfric stepped out of the shadows.
Biggins’s face twisted in fear at the sight of the Sidhe. “I do not know what game you are playing, but stay out of our way.”
Aelfric put his hand on the sword at his belt, the one that had not been there five minutes earlier. “You will not bind Darcy or harm him in any way.”
The men stiffened. Aelfric’s appearance could be an illusion, but his voice was clearly not that of a human. “You cannot stop us.”
“I most certainly can. Your judgment is mistaken. Darcy may be the only mortal able to control the waters, but it is child’s play for any of the Sidhe.”
The three men jumped backwards as a jet of water fountained up in front of them. “In this case, I – oh, not you as well!” Aelfric’s voice turned peevish.
“What is the matter?” asked Elizabeth anxiously.
“They have snakes in their heads, too. All three of them.” Aelfric sounded disgusted by this turn of events.
“Snakes?” asked Lord Matlock, baffled.
Elizabeth leaned close to him and said softly, “He means they are under a sorcerer’s spell.”
Lord Matlock’s head snapped in her direction. “Are you certain?”he breathed.
“Aelfric seems to be certain.”
“That would explain why they have been so unreasonable.” He studied the three men before turning back to Elizabeth and murmuring, “I do not like these odds, even with your friend Aelfric here.”
Neither did Elizabeth. If any of the men had sorcery at their command, it could be disastrous. As it was, they were watching Lord Matlock closely. Did they realize they had been detected? Would they try to stop her if she went for help? But perhaps help was already at hand. She looked hard at Aelfric and thought as loudly as she could. Danger! She imagined the sight of the men in blindfolds. Again and again. Danger! Blindfolds. Danger. Blindfolds.
Aelfric shot her a bewildered look, shrugged, and gestured towards the men – who were now blindfolded, bound at hands and feet, and gagged.
Lord Matlock’s eyes bulged at the sight. “What?”
Aelfric said apologetically, “Libbet seemed to think you wanted them that way. I will free them if you wish.”
“No, I like them that way very much,” wheezed Lord Matlock. “I thank –”
Elizabeth kicked his boot.
