Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #15 June 2015 | Page 58

Concluding Part
He struggled in place, but the guards held him as
surely as iron manacles. Ensnared and disarmed, he
could only watch as swords were poised over the
couple’s backs, aimed at their hearts.

Sobs shook Eogwen and she thrashed in her guard’s
grip. Asmoran came over and took her, holding her
shoulders until she exhausted her efforts and stood
distraught and drained.

He bellowed over the rising chaos. “Listen to me,
Asmoran. I swear these two are loyal to you. Killing
them is pointless. Don’t do this.”

“Little flower,” Asmoran knelt and took Eogwen’s
hands in his own. “Your parents’ deaths are this
man’s fault.” He nodded at Khellus. “He forced
them to disobey me, and that forced me to kill them.
He is the monster here, not me. Someday, you will
understand this.”

Asmoran didn’t so much as glance his way. He
remained staring at the couple, looking sorrowful at
having to eliminate valuable servants—like a hunter
putting down a pair of rabid dogs. Eogwen beat her
wooden fork against the guard holding her in place,
but he didn’t flinch.
At the noble’s gesture, the swords plunged down
in unison. They thrust into Abrodail and Favriel’s
backs and out through their chests.
Khellus roared. Eogwen screamed. Their cries rose
and mingled, a chorus of horror and loss. The couple jerked on the blades for a few moments, mouths
gaping. Then their twitching ceased and all tension
fled their bodies. They slumped off the blades as
one, flopping to lie beside each other, blood running
together. Abrodail’s glazed eyes stared over at Khellus, damning him for his helplessness.

He rose and tugged her toward the front room.
“Now come along. You’ve seen enough bloodshed for one night. Let’s leave this villain to his
fate. I believe there is some roast duck waiting for
us down in the dining hall.” Asmoran glanced at
Khellus’ captors. “I trust you can see him as cleanly
dispatched as you did these two?” He nudged Favriel with a velvet slipper.
The grip on Khellus’ arms tightened and the guards
clustered closer.
“Yessuh,” said one.
Asmoran exited, dragging a crying Eogwen behind.
The guards who’d executed Abrodail and Favriel