Page 66 of The Empire and the Wolf King

Then I would shoot the guards, there was a chance of losin’ my life in the act of it, but as long as Asgall was dead it wouldna matter what happened tae me.

I heard the clinking of glassware in the kitchen.

He was goin’ tae help.

I dug through my bag for the small box and fumbled it open and pulled out the tiny vial. It contained four small round pellet pills. I pulled the cork from the top.

Master Taylor came out with a tray and three copper shot glasses. The maid was frightened but curious, peering out from the pantry where the liquor was kept.

His eyes straight ahead, resolute, Master Taylor paused, and I poured three of the pills intae the nearest shot glass. The pellets fizzed briefly then dissolved.

I pulled that glass over tae separate it from the others. “Come right back.”

I worried for a moment that he was shakin’ too much tae keep it from spilling. He briefly bowed, took a deep breath, and then headed tae the table.

I watched him nervously as he glanced down at Ma lying on the carpet, nae one deliverin’ her aid.

He placed the shot glasses on the table, putting the poisoned one in front of Asgall.

There was a movement at his feet. Ma was tryin’ tae sit up, she looked dazed and there was blood, wettin’ her skirts. She shook her head tae clear it and woozily swayed as if she meant tae return tae her chair.

But then she glanced over and it seemed as if she could see me in the shadows. I shook my head, willing her tae lay back down, go quiet, daena interfere.

She collapsed ontae the carpet. I would hae worried when she became so still but I saw her fold her hands tae pray.

CHAPTER 30 - MAGNUS

OAKHURST INN - CHARLOTTESVILLE - 1775

Asgall fired his gun and I leapt from m’chair. “Nae!” Everythin’ went red in my fury.

He leveled the gun at me, “Sit down.”

“Ye let me see tae her, ye let me attend tae my wife!”

“I said sit down!”

I sat down.

“Good boy.”

I growled and asked, “Kaitlyn, ye well? Kaitlyn!”

She mumbled something I couldn’t hear.Och nae, would she survive?

Time stood still. I was frantically running through m’mind how I would beat him without a weapon.

I lifted the edge of the tablecloth but could only see Kaitlyn’s feet.

Asgall was speakin’ about how much trouble he was goin’ tae cause for me.

I glanced at the front door, there was a guard there. Another near the stair. There were men outside. I wasna certain how many.

I had tae get the gun, shoot Asgall, pick up Kaitlyn, and escape.

I came tae the thought that I would stand and throw m’chair at Asgall tae disarm him. But I needed a distraction — Master Taylor, the manager of the inn, emerged from the back room, carryin’ a tray with three copper shot glasses.

He looked verra nervous. His hands shook. He kept his eyes averted.

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