Page 12 of The Study of Poisons
“Feel free to run. My archers need the practice,” Valek said. Not one, but three archers stood on the wall. Their arrows were already notched and ready to fly. The man had a choice between being hanged or skewered with an arrow to the heart.
Horus glared but remained in place.Smart.
Valek swept his hand out, indicating the assembled people. “This is your final opportunity to apologize to your family and your victims’ families for your actions.”
The prisoner faced them. “I’m not sorry.”
That makes my job easier.Valek held up a hand, stopping the vitriol Horus’s comment produced. Grabbing the man’s arm, Valek led him up the ramp to where the Commander waited.
“Horus, you have murdered three people and have been sentenced by me to death by hanging,” the Commander said in formal tones.
Valek grabbed the noose and put it around Horus’s neck. He braced for resistance, but the man didn’t fight and even stepped of his own volition onto the trap door.
“Still not sorry,” Horus yelled.
Valek adjusted the knot and tightened the noose, then stepped back. The Commander grabbed the lever. Without preamble, he pulled it. The door dropped open and Horus plunged through. A loud crack sounded just as the rope snapped taut. The dogs in the kennel howled. Porter leaned against the wall, watching the hanging.
Horus’s belligerent expression no longer remained on his dead face. A dark stain spread down his legs. To avoid the noxious odor, Valek held his breath as he followed the Commander to the ground.
Valek called for a clean-up crew and gave the carpenters permission to disassemble the gallows. The Commander talked with the family members. Valek scanned the area. Brazell and Mogkan were gone.
Without thought, Valek dashed to the castle, heading straight to Yelena’s room. By the time he’d reached the west servant wing, he expected to encounter Brazell’s soldiers or Adviser Mogkan with a bloody knife in his hand. Instead, Margg closed Yelena’s door behind her as she stepped into the hallway.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“How’s Yelena?” He tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword.
“Still alive.” Margg sounded disappointed. “Why do you care?”
“I don’t.”
Margg waited.
“That’s none of your concern.” Valek pulled in a calming breath. “Have you seen any of General Brazell’s soldiers in this area of the castle?”
“Ah. The old goat knows she’s free and you’re worried he might be looking for revenge. I’d say it’s justified.”
“It’s not up to you,” Valek said in his dangerously flat tone. “The Commander decides. Not anyone else. If he changes his mind, thenhewill pull the lever. Understand?”
She clenched fistfuls of her apron in her hands. Valek had never scolded her before, but her comment about Yelena’s death being justified went beyond mere grumpiness.
“Yes.” It was almost a growl. Almost.
“And Brazell’s people?” he asked.
“I haven’t seen anyone.”
The pressure in his chest eased.
“Do you really think that old goat would risk upsetting the Commander by killing her before his project is approved?” she asked.
No, he didn’t. So why did he… Panic? Yelena was safe. For now.
“Keep a close eye on her,” he said. “Let me know if you see any of the old goat’s people sniffing around.”
“Will do.”
As Valek headed to his office, he considered his panicked race to Yelena’s room. He blamed his overreaction on the execution. They always set him on edge.
