The crowd was shocked. They had never seen a man killed in such a brutal way and it shocked them into silence. Samnom reached down and removed whatever gold Lored had on his person then he walked to the exit of the arena. On the way he stopped and kissed Mota’s forehead saying a quick prayer to the gods. Then he stood and left the arena of death in deathly silence. The guards stepped aside and did not attempt to stop him. He was, after all, a free man now. Then, outside the auditorium, he began to run. The city had been busy throughout the day as people invited to the ball made last minute arrangements. Most had to do with their garments and drove the tailors mad aside from making them rich. This was the day when they could demand almost any price they wanted for the smallest change to a customer’s costume. Tailors had even realized that keeping customers costumes until the day before and then letting customers have them was a very lucrative business for them. As customers discover

When Harbem had seen Hester exit the hall he did not stop to try and signal to Alexa at the exit as agreed. He needed time alone with Hester and hoped Alexa would not see them when they exited.But Alexa did see them. She recognized her mother and saw Harbem leave shortly after. She did not think it strange that Harbem did not signal to her. It might have been too obvious given the current circumstances in the hall. Alexa had been speaking with a gentleman before Breeger’s confrontation with Benedict, but could not move too quickly for fear of attracting attention to herself.She made her way to the door slowly as the confrontation continued and finally exited closing the door behind her.She tiptoed down the hallway looking for Harbem and her mother. She could not see them but finally, she heard low voices further down the passage. She approached silently as she heard her mother and Harbem speaking.Alexa listened to their conversation with incredu

Benedict searched Hester’s eyes searching for an answer. A way in. But all he saw was ice cold steel resolve.“Very well.” He stood and crossed to the doors. He opened them and spoke with Tordor who was closest. “Let everyone in.”“The men of the Order are here,” Tordor whispered quickly.“Fine. They can come in too.” Tordor opened the chamber doors and let everyone enter in an orderly fashion. Hester stood and watched them as they entered until they finally stood grouped together.Everyone looked at Hester and Benedict who faced them.“This is atrocious!” said Talek. “We have to stand outside while the king speaks with his mistress?”“Mind your mouth,” Benedict said, “or I will mind it for you.”Talek looked as if he were about to answer but something in Tordor’s gaze warned him not to.Hester spoke stepping into the sil

“Your majesty,” he began trying to assure Benedict of his respect, “Huthdel’s crime aside, there is the matter of the exorcism which is requested by the Order.” “The exorcism which Huthdel expects me to submit to?” “Actually your majesty, we suggested it.” Benedict paused considering this. “I was not aware you requested it. Now that it is clear the request comes from you perhaps you can explain your reasoning better.” “Your majesty, I do recall that in return for our support you committed to furthering the beliefs of the Order of Keln.” “And I have always done so Master Kormol. I have never prevented the Order from progressing its ministry in any way.” “Until now your majesty. By rejecting the exorcism.” Master Kormol replied then continued quickly, “We see that you are intimate with the very women that Atomas was intimate with. When you burned the body of Atomas you prevented his soul from moving on as is tradition. We believe that his soul has possessed you your Majesty. It nee

“He had it coming. Besides, if he had been freed and allowed to voice his opinion, he would not have voiced it in favour of us.“ “Of that much I am sure,” Benedict replied. He would have to explain the death to Talek. There was not much else that could be done. Benedict insisted that they make their way to the mine first before returning the bodies of the masters. Tordor agreed. Melonor had not returned with news from the mine and both Benedict and Tordor suspected that he must have met with misfortune. They instructed the soldiers with the bodies to wait at the East gate for them and rode to the mine with a small number of soldiers. On the ride up they found out why Melonor had not returned from the mine. He lay dead beside the road, killed by an arrow through the heart. Benedict and Tordor surmised that it was an assassin ordered to stop word of the situation at the mine getting back to Benedict. They doubted that anyone would try to stop them now but cautioned the soldiers to