Unspeakable Secrets The Alchemist Series (A Dark Medieval Progression Fantasy)

Chapter 18 Red Handed

Chamberlain Davison pointed a chubby finger at Connor. "Arrest him!" he said.

"What? On what grounds?" Connor said.

"Murder," said The Chamberlain with a twisted smirk, "just look at the blood on your clothes! We've caught you red-handed."

"This blood belongs to enemies of the city," Connor said, "and where were the palace guards when the manor was under attack?"

"That is none of your concern, murderer," Chamberlain Davison said, "guards seize him!"

The guards looked at one another and inched forward like they were approaching a vicious tiger.

They were covered in plate armor from the neck down and wielding longswords. All Connor had was his rapier and one working arm.

It was almost comical.

He briefly considered trying to escape through the workshop, but he couldn't give away such an important secret to The Chamberlain of all people. Besides, how would he get out again?

Maybe he could kill one of the guards and get by? They couldn't keep up with him with their heavy armor, but that would only make him look guilty, and make it more difficult for when Victor returned to the palace.

Right now, Davison had nothing except his position to back his outlandish accusations. If Connor attacked, it would only give the bastard more power.

Connor glared at The Chamberlain and gritted his teeth.

The attackers had to have had help getting into the palace, and who better than The Chamberlain to help them? He could've called away the guards, and perhaps even led them through the tunnels...

Victor had been getting in the way of his plans for years. He must have finally decided to take action.

Connor's eyes were dark and filled with murder as he stared at The Chamberlain. How many fingernails would he have to pull before the slime cracked and told all he knew?

The guards tensed up and raised their weapons.

It was so tempting... so very tempting...

He took a deep breath. He couldn't afford to let his anger get the best of him. Without Victor, he had no voice in the palace. If he lost his temper now, he would destroy years of Victor's hard work.

Better to go with it for now, and open the door for his uncle to discredit The Chamberlain and get rid of him for good.

Connor put on a friendly smile, erasing any trace of his dark thoughts from his face.

He would go peacefully, at least for now... the time to make The Chamberlain pay would have to come later.

"I am innocent, but I am not resisting," he said.

The palace guards visibly relaxed, but they made no further move toward him. Connor stepped forward, and they surrounded him at a respectful distance, or as respectfully as was possible within the confines of the manor.

He should've known. Some of the guards might support The Chamberlain, but many would only follow his orders because they had to.

As the guards walked him past The Chamberlain, Connor looked him straight in the eye. "Don't worry, I'll make sure that everyone involved in this attack is dealt with," Connor said.

Chamberlain Davison's eyes went wide, and he paled.

It could just have been from the edge in Connor's voice, or the gruesome sight of him covered in blood, but Connor took it as further evidence of The Chamberlain's guilt.