The Paladin Chronicles Book Bundle (5-7): A Sword and Sorcery alternative history Epic Fantasy (The Paladin Chronicles Book Bundles 2) by Neil Port

Author:Neil Port [Port, Neil]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9798223098690
Published: 2024-01-06T19:28:23+00:00

Chapter 7: The Death of Azarin

Azarin’s prison was more comfortable than the first one she had been in, but she was still behind bars, and it was the only place Mohini and Amāstrī were allowed to visit her in.

There were two arban (twenty Hun soldiers), armed and ready for trouble, between them and the only escape route. Not that Mohini was up to any rescue. She had to be carried down the stairs. She tried a few steps on her own but her knees gave way and despite Azarin and Amāstrī trying to catch her, she ended up stretched out, face first on the stone floor in Azarin’s cell.

Some rescue party I make. Mohini thought, fingering her swollen lip.

"I don’t suppose you are really well enough to break her out," Amāstrī said, as they helped her up onto the bed.

Mohini gave her a disdainful look.

"You would need an army to break someone out of here. For all we know, Gansükh had asked Namatar to keep a watch on her as well. Why did you have to be so honest, Azarin?"

"I deserve to die," Azarin said. "My father never trained me to rule, but I have acted like a fool every step of the way. I had the chance to help my people, and what did I do? I listened to those who were my enemies. I saw people who trusted me be murdered in front of me. I failed them, I failed you, and I failed my parents.

"Maybe my death will do some good. If you kill me Gansükh will trust you more. Anyway, I don’t want Uldiz to do it. I would rather it was you."

"Thanks, Azarin ... I think."

"We have to think of something," Amāstrī said.

"Oh, I already know what I have to do," Mohini said. "It is obvious."

Amāstrī looked at her expectantly.

"I have to kill Azarin, of course. If I don’t do it, Gansükh will," Mohini explained.

"What!" Amāstrī shouted.

Mohini turned to study the young princess intently, looking at her up and down.

"I am going to need some help for this, and I know just the person. I’m sorry, Azarin, I really am, but this is going to be rather painful."

"I didn’t think killing me would be so hard," Azarin said.

* * *

Inspecting Azarin’s dead body

The small group of people who had assembled to witness Azarin’s death shivered as they waited. It was cold in the basement.

There were no windows. A few dim lamps gave a cold light. It had been a room used for meat storage and the smell still lingered.

They lit no fire, to keep the body fresh. There was a hush as two Hun soldiers carried the body in, wrapped in a blood-stained carpet. Mohini and Keti followed closely behind.

"It is done, my Šâh," Mohini announced.

As the soldiers hefted their load onto the stone table, the carpet slipped and one of the Azarin’s arms seemed to slide out in slow motion against the early body-stiffness. It revealed the upper part of one of her breasts, smeared with blood.

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