Death's Inquest by Marcelle Valentine

Author:Marcelle Valentine [Valentine, Marcelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Medusa Publishing
Published: 2023-01-26T23:00:00+00:00

Having no idea which direction she traveled has made this task infinitely more difficult. I do not possess the ability to track her; this is a gift granted to my brother, War. If he were awake, I could ask him to use it to find her.

Although this is not ideal while on this plane or during my long wait in purgatory, I can sense all life as it fades away from them. So at least I can locate her if she is in trouble.

Mercifully, the frigid temperatures have driven most mortals indoors, and the few I do come across grant me a wide berth. Leaving only the clacking from my horse’s hooves against the road, along with the rhythmic lilting of his breath to fill the absence of all other sounds.

This is how I always imagined my task: me atop my steed, traveling from one city to the next, passing judgment, toppling their world, then moving on. I never envisioned I would be leading an army of the forgotten. At first, I told myself I was collecting them for my brother. War would need them for his role in the sentence we will deliver, yet somewhere along the way, this shifted. I cannot say I found value in all of them, but most…. Most were not inherently wicked. Perhaps I have judged them too harshly.

“Hey asshole,” a whistle followed by the whoosh of an arrow cutting through the air has me leaning back to avoid the incoming projectile.

“The next one will not miss. So allow me to tell you how this is going to work. Get off the fucking horse and lay the goddamn sword on the ground along with your coat. Then you can start walking back in the direction you came from. Maybe I’ll let you keep your pathetic life if you do it. Ya know, on second thought, I’ll take those boots too.”

My horse exhales as he stomps his front leg. I give an incredulous snort as my response. If this cretin believes I will give him anything, he will soon be sorely disappointed. Another arrow is nocked, but the one holding the bow makes the wise decision not to release it. He will need it soon if they continue this misguided assault.

I realize because my tunic’s hood is pulled up, concealing my face, they may not have made the connection of who they threaten; this is a mistake they will soon regret.

“He’s not getting down.”

“I have eyes.”

“What do you want me to do?” Their murmured conversation carries over to me on the wind as if they were standing before me.

Having deemed them unimportant to warrant my full attention, I keep my gaze focused on the road I fully intend to proceed down. There is only one I wish to see, and she is not among them. I remain seated on my horse, whose agitation is increasing by the second for having his master threatened. They are welcome to attempt to take him from me; they will quickly find out that he will only accept one rider.

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