A Gleam of Hope: Dark, Dystopian Fantasy (What Darkness Hides Book 2) by JMD Reid
Author:JMD Reid [Reid, JMD]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fallbrandt Press
Published: 2024-04-29T00:00:00+00:00
The waves of anger radiating off Amiollea flowed around Maegwirio. She boiled as Warden Akozogwio continued his testimony, practically gloating about how heâd cut her down. The way he spoke of his sword stabbing into her belly and the sound of her scream sparked his own fury.
What sort of man would take such pleasure in that?
It was alien to Maegwirio to even think about hurting someone. To take pleasure in harming another. It offended him, but he had to swallow his outrage and listen. He wrote down the occasional note and kept his breathing calm. His emotions cool. For Amiolleaâs sake. He was discovering a temper he didnât know he possessed. His self-control chafed whenever Akozogwio glanced at Amiollea, the wardenâs eyes sizing her up for her noose.
âAnd then what happened, Warden?â
âI rallied our forces and led them away. We rushed back to the gates in the confusion of the dark. Death almost got us, but we managed to outrun the light.â
âI know you did all you could, Warden,â Ward Advocate Ottefighea said. She glanced down at her papers before sitting. âI am finished, Wardleader.â
âYour witness, Maegwirio,â the old man said.
Maegwirio stood. He couldnât go past the table and approach the witness. That was to avoid intimidating whoever testified, not that Maegwirio could intimidate Akozogwio. Not after how their scuffle the day before had gone. A nervous ripple washed through him. All the eyes of his people were on him, especially widow Nachiotzeaâs baleful orbs.
âWarden Akozogwio, I just wanted to thank you for helping get our people to safety.â
The wardenâs brows knitted tight. He ran a head across his shaved pate. âI was just doing my duty.â
âAnd a dangerous one at that. I know we are all grateful for the work you and your fellow wardens do to protect us.â
Suspicion loomed in Akozogwioâs eyes. Amiollea muttered something unflattering beneath her breath.
âIs it correct that you said you prevented Amiollea from hurting any more of our people, Warden?â
âAye,â he grunted. âLike they did to Chiddeffio and Degheokwio.â
âAnd what was Amiollea doing when you cut her down?â
âShe was running.â
âRunning?â Maegwirio said, like this was shocking news. âYou said she was running? Not fighting?â
âNo, no, she was running. Almost straight toward me. The stupid bitch blundeâ ââ
âModerate your language!â Nexohachea, the sole woman on the council, said. âThis isnât the dark streets.â
âMy apologies,â Akozogwio muttered, inclining his head. âShe ran straight at me. Didnât know I was there.â
âFrom what direction did she run?â
âMy left. I was on the right side of the column.â
âAnd, just so I understand, you were on the outside of the column?â
âYou know that. You were there.â
âSo if she were running at you, from your left, that meant she was already inside the column, yes?â
âLike I said, they had infiltrated us unaware, slipping past the wardens.â He shifted. âItâs noisy with a full caravan. Lots of distractions. Easy for the naked verm . . . for the naked cultist to slip into us unaware.â
âSo, if she were attacking us, trying to
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