Forged in Frost

Mercy

Caius towers above her as she exits the cabin. In his eyes are his unspoken questions: Did he talk? What did he say? Did he hurt you more?

"We have what we need," is all she says.

He takes out his sword again. "So we're through with him."

Asher and Alec appear from nearby.

"What did he say?" Alec wonders.

"Evelyn says we have what we need," Caius tells them. He holds up his blade. "That means we're done with him."

"I've thought about it, Caius. I don't think we should kill him," says Asher. "He should be taken to Tarreth for proper justice."

"He doesn't deserve justice," Caius says roughly.

Asher glances at Alec before saying, "He betrayed his vows. They'll serve him proper punishment."

"I'll serve him proper punishment," Caius says with a hint of a menacing smile.

"I agree with Asher," Evelyn says. "Leo doesn't know where Ilvara or the count are being held. They won't take ransom. They just want Lockmire. We won't gain anything by killing him."

"What do we gain by going to Tarreth?" Caius wonders, some of the steam going out of his enthusiasm.

"If I'm going to negotiate anything, I need resources and a base of operations," Asher says.

"Who's to say Esterden hasn't already worked everything out with Tarreth?" Caius asks.

Evelyn is unsure what he's implying. That Esterden coordinated terms with Tarreth officials already? They have no part in Lockmire politics. They're a neutral party. Whatever he's saying, Asher is more focused on Leo.

He goes right inside without responding. Caius follows him in. When Evelyn enters, Asher is already dragging Leo up by his bound hands.

"So I suppose you're still the one who decides these things," Caius remarks.

"Evelyn is right. We gain nothing by killing him. Tarreth law should decide his fate, not us," Asher says, pragmatically. "We're not animals. It's not our job to execute lawbreakers."

Caius jerks Leo's collar to him, until his face is inches from the one he destroyed. "We may not be animals, but he is."

"At least you still have all your teeth," Leo says, spitting through a hole where his canine tooth once was. His eyes flicker to Evelyn. "Need to hold onto your girl a little tighter, Caius. She's clearly sweet on me."

Caius hits him, so fast that Evelyn only sees a blur and hears the impact. She covers her mouth instinctively. Leo rocks sideways, Asher struggling to hold him. Caius grabs the gag from the floor and pulls it over Leo's face, not bothering to be gentle with his recent wounds. Leo grunts in pain.

Evelyn's back is against the cabin wall, heartbeat slowly returning to normal. Asher makes no comment about Caius' actions. They force Leo out of the cabin together. Alec stands in the corner, pale with bewilderment. It must be obvious that Asher and Caius have some personal reasons to be treating Leo this way. This could not all be over his treason. Nevertheless, he follows them out without a word.

Asher directs them toward Tarreth. It's the most logical place to go, in Evelyn's mind. There, they can seek help with Leo, route letters to Esterden, get some insight into what's going on and what to do next. But Evelyn still wonders what Tarreth can really do, being neutral to the war. Will they be able to help at all?

Even if they can't, Evelyn feels confident that Asher will have the means to make some progress. Anything is better than sitting in that cabin a moment longer.