Another couple of days passed, and no one came to call at Gaius' chambers, until one midmorning the king himself came striding down the corridor.

"Gaius!" Uther knocked on the door loudly.

After a moment, Gaius opened it, looking dejected and forlorn.

"Your time is up," Uther announced. "What is the verdict? Dead or alive? To be burnt or buried?"

"Dead," Gaius mumbled. "Last night. I found him this morning. I disposed of the body myself."