“Essentially, we are buying from the crown the right to lead Westhaven—though we’re still a royal colony under Osfrid,” Edwin explained. “Each stake helps pay off that price. We’re nearly there and can begin officially drawing up charters, though we’ve begun some rough drafts already. Those doing the early buy-ins can take part in the planning. From that group, we’ll elect who fills the important positions—eventually, all citizens will participate in such an election, but that’s further down the road.”
“And all faiths can worship there,” I said.
Mary gave me a gentle smile. “Yes, that’s our primary purpose.”
Nicholas read each part in detail, suggesting a few clarifications that the Harrisons had no quarrel with. When Nicholas was satisfied, he wrote out the final affidavit on Cedric’s behalf, reaffirming a commitment to Westhaven and its laws. He signed as proxy and then looked up, his pen hovering over the paper.
“I, uh, have a bit more irregularity to suggest, but we’d like to backdate this as well.”
Edwin frowned. “How far?”
“About three weeks,” I said.
“Some might consider that perjury,” said Edwin pointedly. “Something I’m sure a man of the law would know.”
“If you don’t do it, Cedric will die,” I blurted out. “He’s on trial for Alanzan heresy, and we need to claim Westhaven’s amnesty.”
The troubled look in Edwin’s eyes didn’t reassure me, but Mary laid her hand over his. “Dear, isn’t this what the point is? To prevent this kind of atrocity?”
Edwin took a few more moments and then exhaled. “Date it,” he told Nicholas. Nicholas did, and then Edwin signed underneath as witness—also using the early date. He took my hard-earned money.
I felt like crying, but maybe that was the lack of sleep. “Thank you—thank you! You have no idea—”
The inn’s door burst open, and a wide-eyed laborer peered in. “A hanging! There’s going to be a hanging! They convicted that Alanzan devil!”
Nicholas groaned, but I was already on my feet. “No, no! We are not too late. We can’t be.” I grabbed the papers and sprinted for the door. Nicholas caught up quickly.
“Wait for me—the rabble loves an execution. It’ll be madness out there.”
He was right. We joined a flood of people heading across town, eager for blood. I wished we had horses but wasn’t sure we would’ve gotten far in this crowd. I tried to fix my mind on the journey, not imagining what might happen to Cedric if I didn’t make it. “I knew it could be soon,” I called to Nicholas over the noise. “But I hoped not this soon.”
“The governor makes the call on when the sentence is carried out,” Nicholas said. “And this governor is pretty motivated to see this so-called justice done. I’m sure they’ll delay enough to get a good crowd. They like an audience—scares people into behaving.”
The thought of Cedric’s execution was beyond comprehension. What if they did it? And I wasn’t there in his last moments?
The courthouse came into sight. They’d already put up the gallows, and a few dark figures stood on it. One almost certainly was Cedric. The crowd bottlenecked when we finally reached our destination. Everyone wanted a good view, but they could only get so close. No one wanted to give up the spot they’d fought for, so pushing our way forward was difficult.
Near the back, I caught sight of Aiana. She had a hand to her eyes to shield against the sun and was scanning the crowd. She hurried over. “Adelaide! I wondered where you were. Have you seen Mira?”
“No, but I thought she’d be here. I have to get through,” I said urgently. “I have to get up there.”
She joined us unhesitatingly, and Nicholas asked, “Was Warren Doyle exonerated?” She scowled and nodded.
Aiana helped shove our way through the crowds. We received a lot of angry curses but pushed on anyway. It was still slow going, and we were barely halfway through when Governor Doyle moved to the front of the gallows. I could see Cedric clearly now, his good arm bound behind his back, and my heart sank. Warren stood nearby with a hooded hangman.
“Good citizens of Denham,” the governor shouted. “We are here to see justice done—to help purify our colony and drive off evil forces within it.”
The crowd had quieted a little, and I decided to take my chances. “Governor Doyle!” I shouted. “Governor Doyle!”
He didn’t hear, but a few irritated bystanders shushed me. I attempted to move closer.
“Today, I give you a heretic—not just any heretic but one of the foul Alanzans.” Hisses sounded around us. “One who practices dark arts and has unholy communion with the six wayward angels.”
I’d gotten a little closer and tried again. “Governor Doyle!”
He still didn’t hear, but those in front of me turned around to see what was happening. They gave way to me out of simple curiosity, and my next attempt was heard: “Governor Doyle!”
He searched for the voice and spotted me. “Lady Witmore. You missed the trial.”
The crowd parted for me, and getting to the front was easy. I hurried to the gallows stairs, locking eyes with Cedric. A couple of soldiers started to block me, but Warren shook his head at them.
“Let her say goodbye.” There was no kindness in his voice.
I held the papers in the air. “You can’t execute him! He’s a citizen of Westhaven! I have the proof. He’s allowed to practice there, and you have to honor that here.”