After Friar Sidrach annouces that Clement has been accused of poisoning Squire Toby, the party members quickly evaluate the situation, trying to determine what really happened. Some obvious suspects are identified: Master Hamet, the violent squire embarrassed by Steven; Maud, mother to John the Bastard; Claudius, Lownell's seneschal who had been displaced by Steven and Edgar, and even Sir John himself.

The party travels to Lownell immediately and arrives in the middle of the night. Despite the extraordinarily heightened security, Friar Sidrach is nevertheless admitted to the tower. Garnfellow explains courtly justice to Valerius. Clement could ask for High Justice, which can only be administered by the Count of Kirke himself; Clement could demand Trial by Combat (unfeasible, since Clement has no noble champion to pick), or he could submit to Trial by Ordeal. For this, Clement would be forced to carry a heated iron bar twenty paces without being seriously wounded in order to prove his innocence. In the middle of the night the parish bells are rung, signaling the death of squire Toby.

Meanwhile, St. James suspects Claudius and attempts to steal into the seneschal's quarters, hoping to find some incriminating evidence. He finds a locked chest, but unfortunately does not discover the poisoned needle in the latch until it is too late. The plucky St. James has just enough time to get out of the tower before a powerful paralyzing poison takes effect.

The next day Valerius hatches a plan to save Clement. Friar Sidrach begins preaching among the manorfolk, proclaiming the divine power of the Five; meanwhile, Valerius sows the suggestion of Clement being tried by ordeal. By the afternoon the friar has coaxed the crowd into a frenzy. Before the noose can be placed around Clement's neck, the mob demands that Clement submit to Trial by Ordeal. The Baronet agrees, to the joy of the crowd. A fire is prepared, and a great iron bar heated to glowing red. Meanwhile, Friar Sidrach slips Clement the potion of fire resistance. Clement drinks the potion, and then carries the bar twenty paces, proving his innocence to the satisfaction of all onlookers. Valerius carefully watches the expressions of the other suspects. Squire Hamet is excited and maybe even joyful at the sight, but Claudius seems strangely agitated. And Maud . . . Maud is nowhere to be seen. The excitement from the Ordeal is hardly over when an alarum is raised in the motte: a fire has been set in the tower! Manorfolk rush to put out the flames, but not before the fire has completely gutted Claudius's room, possibly destroying some sort of evidence.

The party focuses its investigation on Claudius and Maud. When confronted, both seem hostile and Claudius even seems a bit nervous at all the questions.

The next day the mysterious Lordship arrives unannounced at Lownell, accompanied with the burly, bald Sir Harold and a couple of servants. Sir John the Bastard is a small, pale man with long yellow hair, a slight paunch, and a lisp. He seems somewhat surprised to see his half-brother Steven alive, but soon begins buttering his father up.

The party is unclear as to what route to take. What is the mission at Lownell? St. James, still recovering from paralysis, votes to assassinate the seneschal. This idea is generally ignored. Others suggest that they could kidnap Claudius. Or kidnap Maud. Or the Baronet, as originally planned. Or any combination of kidnapping. The party eventually agrees to go ahead with kidnapping the Baronet, and possibly snatch Maud or Claudius as well.

The next day Friar Sidrach begins to inquire about setting up a hunt, but discovers that Sir John the Bastard has already arranged a nice little hunt for himself and his two brothers. The party suspects that the hunt is really an ambush. Mendelor and St. James explore the woods around Lownell, looking for signs of ruck-men. Meanwhile, the friar arranges to accompany the knights on their little hunt.

Sir John mysteriously claims to be sick and begs off going with his brothers. The knights and the friar leave Lownell, while the rest of the party follows close behind. Deep in the woods, the party stumbles upon an ambush party of ruck-men, and a melee ensues. The party handily whips the abominations with only Mendelor getting seriously hurt.

The assassination thwarted, the party again debates what to do. Again, variations on the kidnapping idea are bandied around. Several people fear Sir John's imminent retaliation and would like to make for the Blackwell as soon as possible. It is narrowly agreed to continue with the kidnapping plan, but Valerius decides to approach Sir John first with a proposition. Upon meeting Sir John, it is clear that the party has already accomplished its goal by thwarting the assassination of Steven and Edgar. Sir John is upset at the ruin of his grand plan, and declares that he will return to Canglen immediately. Though defeated, he still vows to take revenge . . . someday.

Sir John and his henchmen leave. A grateful Baronet rewards the party for saving the lives of his sons. He gives each party member 200 shillings, and also gives to the party a small, magical faerie cake which is said to make the eater invisible.