Rebellion's Forge by K. M. Ashman

Author:K. M. Ashman [Ashman, K. M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: BluA
ISBN: 9781503942271
Published: 2017-01-10T00:00:00+00:00

Half an hour later, Broadwick sat on his haunches, staring at his prisoner. Heavy-hand stared back defiantly, even though his face was awash with sweat from the agony of the knife still lodged in his knee.

‘I don’t know why you are putting yourself through this,’ said Broadwick calmly. ‘It’s obvious you are the main man in the village and nothing happens around there without your say. Isn’t that right?’

‘I have no idea what you are talking about,’ gasped Heavy-hand.

‘Then let me explain. I think it’s fair to say most of the men in that tavern of yours have wielded a weapon or two against their enemies in their time. Nothing wrong with that, for it is no more than I have done myself. However, though that is a fine trade during times of war, such skills are in poor demand during times of peace, unless of course they are sought by someone who doesn’t pay much credence to treaties. So, bearing this in mind, and the fact that you seem to be a man of influence, I have every reason to believe that not only have many of your friends in the tavern ridden alongside Diafol, I suspect that you would have been instrumental in their recruitment. How much did he pay you, Heavy-hand? Five silver pennies for each man recruited, perhaps ten? Whatever it was, I hope it was worth all this pain.’

‘Kill me if you will,’ said Heavy-hand. ‘I am not afraid to die.’

‘Oh, I’m not a murderer, my friend. I have codes by which I live my life.’

‘You’re not going to kill me?’

‘Not in the short term,’ said Broadwick, ‘and there is even a way you can get out of this alive to return to that rats’ nest you call a town.’

‘What do you mean, not in the short term?’

‘It’s like this,’ said Broadwick. ‘I could easily kill you here. I could torture you, get what I need to know and then cut your throat. But therein lies no fear for men such as you or I, and I suspect it could take time, so there has to be a more subtle way to make you talk.’

‘Hah,’ sneered Heavy-hand. ‘You talk pretty words but make no sense.’

‘Then let me be blunt. If you tell me what I want to know, I will let you go. Your knee will probably heal in time and though you will no doubt need a crutch to walk, it’s not such a great price to pay in return for your life.’

‘And if I don’t talk?’

Broadwick leaned forward and tugged his dagger free from Heavy-hand’s knee, causing his prisoner to scream in agony once more. The knight waited until there was silence.

‘Finished?’ he asked. ‘Good. In that case I will continue. If you don’t talk, I will still let you live. In fact, I will take you on my horse to the nearest farm and dump you on their threshold. However, before we leave here, I will administer several small wounds upon your body, none of which will kill you.

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