Page 30 of Chosen

“Some of the local kids set fire to my bakery. I’d like to bring a grievance against their parents. I need help rebuilding and I am out of work now. I don’t have the coin for the repairs.”

“That seems fair.” Sig nodded. “You will leave word with the court as to whom these parents are. We will summon them and meet again to figure out what fines and fees shall be levied.”

Tom gasped and bowed several times.

“Yes, Your Highness. Thank you. Thank you, a million times.” Tom carried on until the guard escorted him back out.

For the most part, the cases were as clear cut as Tom’s. The day dragged on as one flea-infested peasant after the next presented. It continued until mid-day.

“This will be the last one for the morning. We will break for our noon meal,” Sig informed the guard.

“Yes, Highness,” the page answered for him.

A man with long, stringy, black hair was led inside. He had on a thick cape and walked with a bit of a stoop to his back. His face was smeared with dirt. His nails were dirty, but his boots were nice and new. I studied them while he stood there and waited on the page.

“Who comes now?” the page finally asked.

The man ventured closer, until the page held out his hand and repeated, “Your name, sir?”

The man stared at him. A smile split his features and his eyes were almost manic. He moved quickly and charged toward Sig’s throne. When he did so, something sharp glistened in the light. I didn’t think, I just threw myself from the edge of the chair and grabbed his wrist. The dagger turned, and in the blink of an eye, the man had impaled himself with it. He fell to the floor, on top of me and Ava screamed like a mad woman.

The would-be assassin was jerked from me and manhandled by the guards. It was entirely unnecessary, he died moments later.

“Oh, my God!” Ava gasped, over and over again. “Oh, my God! Are you okay, Lady Truth?”

The look in her eye left me speechless. She was staring at me like I was her hero. Whatever hatred she had for me had evaporated. I’d just saved her only son.

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