“The risk seemed unnecessary.”

The Rogue Knight was drawing near to him. “You confuse me, Konley. Shouldn’t a champion feel ashamed to forgo his position for reasons other than retirement? Did you feel any reservations about abandoning a championship you did not win through combat in order to serve another?”

Konley’s face was rigid. “Some, I suppose. But it was a generous offer.”

“And the risk was less than facing Henrick.”

“Yes.”

The Rogue Knight reined his horse to a stop a few steps from Konley. “Do you know how I won my championships, Konley?”

“I’ve heard some stories.”

The Rogue Knight held up his sword. “First, I intimidated the champion of a small town into vacating his office and naming me his successor. It was the one championship I claimed without violence. Since that day, eleven champions have died on my sword, including Gart the Headsman and Tirus of Wenley. I initiated all of those duels, and the best of my opponents failed to provide much of a contest. So first I will ask on what grounds you presume to call me afraid, and second I will ask why you would wish to fight me at all?”

“I was trying to goad you,” Konley said, his voice not quite steady.

“That leaves the second question. You serve Henrick. Tirus of Wenley was a much better fighter than him. Gart the Headsman was his superior by an even greater margin. If the risk of fighting Henrick was too great, why provoke me?”

Konley looked pale. “I’m here under orders. I have my honor.”

“You have dueled for sport,” the Rogue Knight said. “Have you ever killed a man in combat?”

“No,” Konley replied softly.

“What were your exact orders?” the Rogue Knight asked.

Konley hesitated for a moment. “I was commanded to observe the threat you pose. If I had the chance, I was to slay you.”

“You have no chance,” the Rogue Knight said bluntly. “You are outclassed. That reality releases you from the obligation. You needn’t die today.”

“I’ve already made my challenge,” Konley said.

The Rogue Knight sheathed his sword. “You have no right to challenge me. But I am a sporting man. If you truly wish it, I will fight you to the death. No quarter will be asked for, and none given. Or you can select one of your men to face me in single combat, so you can observe the threat I pose and report back. Or I could forget your challenge, and you could surrender. The choice is now yours.”

“No way he goes through with it,” Jace murmured. “He’s wetting his armor.”

“I wouldn’t do it,” Cole whispered back. “If he loses, will they be harsher to the rest of us?”

“That would be about my luck,” Jace complained.

Konley stared at the Rogue Knight, a sheen of perspiration glimmering on his face. He licked his lips and swallowed. Glancing sideways, he forced a small chuckle. “Danforth. You’re always saying you want the chance to show you deserve a promotion.”

A guardsman’s eyes widened. “Begging your pardon, Konley, I didn’t mean like this!”

Konley forced another chuckle. “Now’s the chance to step up and prove your worth.”

“None of us are a match for him, Konley,” Danforth said. “You saw what happened to the men who attacked them. We’ve had our example already. If you’re open to counsel, I’m all for surrendering.”

Konley looked around. “Any volunteers?”

The guardsmen remained conspicuously still.

Konley closed his visor. “What kind of knight would I be if I quailed?”

“A prudent one,” the Rogue Knight replied. “I do not relish taking life. I understand duty, but if you are not under direct orders to attack me, why perish? Don’t die because you’re embarrassed to not fight me. You’ve lived your life avoiding real combat. You’ve evaded risk. Why choose death today?”

Konley opened his visor. “You will harm none of us?”

“Not if you all do as I have asked.”

Konley glanced over his shoulder at Lucinda’s coach.

“You have people under your protection,” the Rogue Knight said. “Surrender and relinquish your valuables, and those in your care will not be harmed, you have my word. I will take your sword and your armor. Your men will relinquish their arms as well. You endanger the occupants of that coach more if you resist. Accidents happen during combat.”

“Very well,” Konley said. “We surrender.”

Chapter 15

VERITY

The Rogue Knight checked with Monroe, who also agreed to surrender, then rode back out into the field to address the entire caravan. “Your leaders have submitted to my terms,” he announced. “Exit your coaches in an orderly manner. Any who attempt to escape will be run down. Don’t try to hide any valuables. We know all the tricks. It’s not fair that some don’t lose their goods because they could afford hidden compartments or hollow boot heels. I don’t care if I can’t use your promissory notes—I want them. My purpose is not to spend your money. Complain to your cowering champion until he does his duty. His unlawful behavior gave rise to mine.”

Cole looked to Joe. “What do we do?”

Joe considered the boys thoughtfully. “I’ve never seen a guy like this Rogue Knight. He has it all—the brains, the skill, the right men, the right equipment. I think we follow his orders and be grateful if we leave with our lives.”

“Come,” the Rogue Knight encouraged. “Bring your valuables and exit your coaches. Nobody will be harmed. Line up on my side of the caravan. I mean everyone—women, children, servants, teamsters, wealthy merchants, government officials.”

“What about the money?” Cole whispered.

“Our secret compartments are covered by illusions,” Joe whispered back. “Let’s leave it alone and see how it goes.”

Cole climbed out of the coach. Mira and Skye emerged from the coach in front of them. Mira looked distraught, but she tried to smile when she saw Cole.

“This includes the occupants of the fancy coach Konley was guarding,” the Rogue Knight said. “Don’t make us drag you out of there.”

A short distance down the line from Cole, the door to the stately coach opened. Lucinda emerged, along with a matronly servant. Both women wore dresses. Lucinda sported a wide-brimmed hat with an elegant shape and a silk flower on it.