The Councilwoman sneered at Conscience Astin with the triumphant stare of a predator facing a cornered animal. "You broke your oath. You told him the secrets you were never to reveal to anyone."
"He asked me to do it."
"You bear the blame, nonetheless; you knew it was a high offense." The Councilwoman's expression was stony.
"I did." Conscience Astin lifted her chin and felt the last remnant of hope leave her. Her time had run out. "I am prepared to accept the judgement of the council."
The King's decisions had grown too complex and his face had grown too mature, too serious, for anyone to doubt what was happening. They were followed and discovered, and when they were the King expressed naive shock; they had been so careful.
Conscience Astin accepted her fate without surprise. Justice was the one thing which could not change, and she had been cheating it for some time. She could only hope that, when the flames took her, death would be relatively painless.
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Mercy (Short Story)
FantasyConscience Astin was unaccustomed to staring Justice in the face. She had worked alongside it all her life, sent helpless souls into its unforgiving hands-but she had never faced it as she now did. She had been taught to expect that this day would...
