“She disobeyed a direct royal order with your involvement which is against the law,” I declared. “And you are very conscious of that. Don’t tell me you support this…” I thundered, and he fell silent, not daring to utter another word.

“Elder Brown… please, help me beg King Valtor,” Linda cried with desperation coating her trembling voice.

“King Valtor, please forgive me,” she added with her head bow waiting to be cut by me.

“You should have forgiven me instead by not always ratting me out,” I muttered.

“Please forgive…”

She never finished.

My hand moved in anger, my sword descended before the last word could escape her lips. Her...