To Kill A King: A Fantasy Adventure (Unwanted Heirs Book 1) by Paul Mouchet

Author:Paul Mouchet [Mouchet, Paul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Paul Mouchet Publishing
Published: 2023-02-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Deception

Lin looked around, searching for anyone else who might be out at this late hour, someone who might be able to render aid. Outside of the dead bodies of their attackers, the streets were empty. A light breeze carried the intoxicating fragrance of moonflower blossoms. Her gut twisted while she tried to come up with a plan. Against the dark sky, the shadow of a mansion loomed. Rich people were likely to keep healing potions in case of accidents or emergencies. It wasn’t much to go on, but she was desperate. Without another thought, Lin burst into a sprint, sheathing her sword as she did.

It felt as though she was running through mud. Her legs didn’t seem to want to listen to her. She pumped them as hard and as fast as she could until her lungs screamed in agony and a stitch grew in her side. Pain was irrelevant. Torches sprung to life as she neared the home’s front door. She’d have thought it was an interesting bit of magic had she not been in a hurry. She considered knocking, but even if she found a helpful response, it would take too long. Thankfully, the windows were open. Barely slowing down, she cut across the well-tended garden and climbed inside.

The magical torches leading up to the house had caused her to lose her night vision. The room was pitch black. She couldn’t even see her hand as she waved it in front of her face. Not bothering to consider the consequences, she drew her longsword and ignited its flames. They cast their flickering red and yellow glow upon the room, revealing walls lined with books. It was a truly impressive library. If whoever owned this house had read these books and was not just using them as decorations, she was dealing with a person of intelligence.

“Higgens?” A rheumy voice called out. There was a large wing chair facing away from Lin. Whoever spoke was seated there, likely having fallen asleep while reading. It sounded like a female voice, raspy but feminine. There was a standing candelabra next to her chair, its candles burned down to nubs.

“Please don’t scream,” Lin whispered. “I need your help.”

“Who said that?” the woman said, slowly rising from her chair. “Take what you need and leave. I’ll give you no reason to harm me.”

“I need a healing potion. Two, if you can spare them.”

The woman stepped out from behind her chair. She was very short, with long gray hair that hung past her waist. Her skin looked almost gray, even in the light of Lin’s sword. Her eyes, however, told a different story. They were vibrant and intelligent. However old this woman was, her mind was sound.

“Be at ease, child.” She held her hands out by her sides. “You will find no enemies within this house. It is just me and I am too feeble to harm one such as yourself.”

“Who’s Higgens? Where is he?”

“Higgens?” The woman’s eyebrow cocked. “He is my late husband. He passed to the Beyond last winter.

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