Obsidian Ridge - Jess Lebow [29]
"So," he said, holding up the proof. "You're not involved in the Elixir trade?"
"That's not what it looks like." The wizard held up his one good hand. "They're just… just healing potions."
The Claw popped open the cork on the flask. "Really? Healing potions?" He looked down at the gushing wounds on the man's right arm. "Looks like you need one now."
Grabbing the wizard by the back of the head, he forced the open bottle into his mouth. "Drink."
The scrawny man struggled against the bigger man's grasp, twisting, spitting, and gasping for air. The Claw gripped a handful of hair and tilted his head back, forcing the flask deeper into his mouth. The thick brownish liquid spilled out the sides of his mouth and drizzled down his cheeks. But despite his attempts to keep it out, the wizard eventually swallowed several large gulps.
The Claw tossed away the empty bottle and shoved the peddler back onto the ground. Scrambling backward away from his attacker, the wizard gagged and coughed, gasping for air.
"Are you-" The wizard convulsed and vomited all over himself-"crazy? You almost killed… almost…" His head began to loll back and forth on his shoulders. His eyes grew dim, closing part way. "Almost… almost killed… killed… me." Slipping backward on the viscous liquid, the wizard tried to hold himself up. He tried to stand, but only got part way to sitting, a confused look on his face.
The Claw lifted the wizard by the front of his robes. Placing his hand on the scrawny man's forehead, he pried his eyelid up with his thumb. The wizard's pupils were completely black, fully dilated, and his eyes were darting back and forth.
The Claw looked down the road, where the trees blocked the view to the docks beyond. The princess could take care of herself. Right now, duty called.
Lifting the wizard off of his feet, the Claw flopped the man's incapacitated body over the saddle on one of the horses. He ripped a strip of the man's robe off and tied a bandage around his arm. He pulled a tinderbox from under his cape, lit a piece of parchment, and tossed it inside the open door of the carriage. The dry wood of the Elixir crates ignited, and soon the flames reached out to wrap the rest of the carriage in their embrace.
The Claw grabbed hold of the reins and lifted himself onto the horse. Adjusting the limp body of the wizard on the saddle behind him, he took one look back. "Healing potions, huh?"
The coach erupted in flame as the Elixir caught fire.
++++
Chapter Nine
A complete slaughter. Not a single man or horse returned alive. The horror of the situation lay heavy on the shoulders of King Korox. He'd been pacing the length of his audience chamber for some time, receiving reports from his scouts and weighing his battle options. He sat now in his throne, his heart darkened. Evacuation, it seemed, was a very real option.
The sun was rising, and he had not yet been to bed. His head was full of thoughts-of the men who had been lost; of Five Spears Hold, the closest, safest location to send refugees if and when he gave the evacuation order; and of the newest threat posed to his kingdom, the hulking, blackened citadel that blotted out the daylight and cast fear upon the hearts of every citizen in Llorbauth.
"You cannot blame yourself for what happened."
Korox looked up to see Senator Divian standing at the entrance of the audience chamber.
"Can't I?"
The senator smiled. "Well, you are the king, so I suppose that means you can do whatever you please."
He smiled back, weakly. "That's what I'm told."
The senator sat down on the steps of the dais, at the foot of the king's throne. "It wasn't you who killed those men. You were only trying to protect the people of this kingdom."
"Tell that to those soldiers."
"Oh, come now," the senator scolded. "You know better than most that the life of a soldier is a perilous one at best. Those men knew what they were getting into. They were men of honor, men of duty, and they proudly served Korox Morkann,