Page 70 of Immortal Sentry

Crau breathed hard, thrusts and parries growing sloppy. Kerric showed no mercy. He pressed his attack, amazed Crau lasted this long.

He wouldn’t hold on for much longer. Crau fought like a man unused to such exertion while Kerric carried out the movements he’d practiced repeatedly during his time as a guard, working his way up to captain. Many an hour he’d spent as a stone gargoyle, fantasizing this very moment, down to each thrust.

“Stop!” Crau leaned against the stable door, gasping for breath. Despite the chill in the air, sweat beaded on his brow. “I can give you your wildest dreams. I can make you a count or a duke once we depose Bain. What is it you want most in the world?”

“Something you cannot give,” Kerric growled from between gritted teeth.

“What is that? I can give you anything.”

“You cannot give me back my twelve summers, my fallen men, or being there for my mother. My king and prince, my friends, my dignity.” So many good people died because of this man. Kerric took aim, the world slowing down, every moment etching into his memory. He brought his weapon down. Crau raised his blade in defense. Kerric’s blow ripped away Crau’s sword. Crau’s eyes and mouth went wide.

He fell to his knees, shoulders bowed. Defeated.

Kerric didn’t allow him a chance to plead or lie. “For your many crimes, I stand in judgment of our divine Ibrus. I deliverhis justice.” Kerric brought his sword down in a killing blow. Lightning lit the sky, and thunder shook the earth while fat snowflakes fell.

Ibrus bore witness to Kerric’s vengeance.

Chapter Twenty-six

Lightning flashed outside the window. How odd for a storm to gather this late in the season, with snow drifting from gray skies. Eron glared at Bain, panting a few feet away. Eron could end this now,shouldend this now. But he had to make Bain aware of who he dealt with.

Kene stepped close to Eron. “Ibrus himself witnesses your triumph. Would you like me to kill this lowly worm for you?”

“He’s mine.” Eyes fixed on Bain, Eron shouted, “You killed my father and my brother, and you’ve used this kingdom for your own gain.”

“Your father? Your brother? I have no idea what you’re babbling about.”

Eron removed the stone from his pocket and dropped it to the floor, no longer caring who might see him for himself. The time for hiding was over.

A tingle of magic raced down Eron’s spine. Bain’s eyes flew wide open. “But… but… but.…”

“But you thought you had me killed. Even then, you had doubts, didn’t you? Sent soldiers looking. Whoever you put to the task made a serious mistake.” Eron called out to the room at large. “I am Eron Eritrescue, son of King Lothan Eritrescue and Queen Salcha Tressori, brother of Dafron Eritrescue and Lessa Eritrescue. As my father’s heir, I claim the right of vengeance. Bain, prepare to die.”

“Guards!” Bain shrieked, frantically searching right and left.

Eron gave a throaty laugh. “Most of the soldiers in this room are loyal to my father or sister. There will be no escape from your fate. You can surrender to me and stand trial. Or you can receive your punishment at the end of my blade. Know this. Tonight, you meet your fate and pay for your treachery.” Eron held his blade at the ready, muscles bunched for the fight. His heart hammered.

He’d killed in self-defense before. This time, he meted out long-overdue punishment.

Panic erupted. Well-dressed nobles screamed, running without knowing where. Eron tuned them out, focusing only on his enemy.

He gripped his brother’s sword tightly. Lessa threw back her cloak, letting it fall to the floor. She held her sword at the ready. The warrior queens of old lived once again in their descendant.

Screaming nobles trampled each other in their hurry to flee the great hall while broad-shouldered men muscled their way through the room, all dressed in king’s guard uniforms from Eron’s youth and all with hair varying shades of silver.

Eron let out a sigh of relief while Kerric’s men drew closer. Some bore striking resemblances to their gargoyle counterparts. They formed a living wall, barring Bain’s escape.

The fear on Bain’s face should’ve made Eron glad, but it didn’t. This man killed for power, ruined Lessa’s life, and pushed Eronto kill family, albeit a despicable example. Eron thrust his sword, catching Bain’s sleeve.

Bain howled.

“That’s for my father, though it’s hardly enough repayment for what you did to him.”

“It… it wasn’t me!” Bain screeched, sword hand trembling. “It was Crau. And Selin.”

“You sit upon my father’s throne. Boasted about killing him.” Eron slashed again, opening a gash in Bain’s right arm. Blood poured from the wound onto the marble floor, followed a moment later by Bain’s blade.

“Pick it up!” Eron ordered, voice eerily calm. “I won’t slay an unarmed man.”

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