- Going somewhere? - I asked ironically. - I'm not done with you yet!
The blood flowed from my forehead because of a cut and I rubbed my hand preventing it from falling into my eye. Morvan let out a laugh while breathing deeply.
- You know, killing your cousin like that was perhaps the most pleasurable job Roy has ever done for me! - he laughed even louder.
He lifted his gaze to face me and stood up.
- I heard when Annabel said she used Valerian in her food. I know the effects she's having, and I saw my chance show up.
I looked at Annabel, who was getting closer with Abby.
- You just didn't expect her to stop drugging me, did you? - I fired ironically. - As cowardly as your brother!
- A bad luck, actually! - he replied sarcastically and spit out the blood. - You talk like a hero, but you're a monster. A monster like me.
- I'm not like you!
- Really? So what bothers you every night? - he provoked. - Tell me you don't have nightmares.
I closed my eyes hard. Morvan knew that I had nightmares about the day of Cora's death and for various other reasons. I knew it tormented me because I regretted it every day.
- See? - He whispered ironically. - You're just as much a monster as I am. The difference is, I have no regrets.
- There's something I'll never regret!
With a growl, I lifted my sword and advanced to give Morvan a mortal blow, but a desperate scream stopped me.
- Stop! Annabel screamed. - Don't do it! Don't do it!
- That man killed Cora, Annabel! - said without looking at her. - He doesn't deserve an extra second of life.
The sigh of surprise and indignation of the people who were around, was unison. From the silence the buzz began to emerge and soon a chorus of revolt began to scream for me to kill him. Cora was very dear to everyone and had the habit of visiting every village she could. Everyone knew his reputation for benevolence and charity. When the news of his death ran through the fiefdoms and villages of the Highlands, there was a commotion of no size. Many cried his departure for days. These were weeks of mourning, especially in Dunhill, where Alec and I were recovering because we almost lost our lives, and Alistair was consumed by the pain of losing his sister.
- No! - Annabel shouted once again looking at the people around her. - We have laws! We're not barbarians!
She approached me.
- Alistair's soldiers, his subordinates, must arrive at any moment now that the snow has dissipated. As bad as Morvan may be and for all his barbarities, he deserves a fair trial and must be brought before the king.
- That man doesn't deserve a trial! - I fired. - Annabel, he tried to kill her!
Annabel paused to sigh.
- Everyone deserves a trial! - she said touching my fist lightly. - Kill this man and you'll have to live with this guilt again. Save his life and you will save your soul with an act of benevolence. Cora would approve of his attitude, for she would not want to see him suffer any more.
- I already live with his brother's blood. I might as well hang out with that bastard too.
- Bruce, don't let yourself go on living as you do.
- And how do I live?
- Tormented!
I froze by your words and worried voice. I noticed that his words shut even the people who were asking for his death. I turned my head to face Annabel's gaze. There was concern in his eyes. His expression was soft and patient. Something told me that she was willing to stay there all night, until I gave up and everyone went to their homes. I remembered the words of the old riddle and looked at Annabel's hand over mine. That's when I realized the soft touch. He warmed my skin and took my body with relief. Without realizing it, I lowered my sword and nodded at her.
- Does anyone have a rope? - I asked, looking around. - I will also need someplace safe where I can arrest you until my soldiers arrive.
- There's a trap door under the kitchen, which served as a storage room. - said Abby's uncle. - We use it to store food in case of a village attack. There's only one way out and in. A small barred window serves to make the air circulate. I think we can arrest him there.
- That'll do! - I responded by settling down.
Using a rope that the stable had thrown at me, I tied Morvan's hands. I grabbed his arms and dragged him into the inn. Kai, the stable boy, opened the trapdoor and I threw him in there like a worm. Morvan fell anyway and grunted with pain.
- Thank you! Thank you! - I whispered to Annabel as soon as we were alone. - You were right about Morvan. It wouldn't bring me any glory to kill him.
- Hmm! I didn't hear right! - she said smiling in a debauched way and banging her index finger against her
