Taming the Thorny Rose novel · Chapter 12 of 24

Chapter 12: The Executioner

Nobody in the hall moved.

Thirty hunters stood with their hands on their weapons, and not one of them drew.

They looked at Crane.

Crane looked at the floor.

"Get out," I said to Osric.

"I'm a guest," said Osric.

"Commander Crane and I have breakfasted together every month for fifteen years."

The hall seemed to tilt.

I turned to Crane.

"Fifteen years," I said.

He didn't answer.

"The bolts in the cellar came out of your armory," I said.

"The hunters in the keep came from your table."

"Kes," he said hoarsely, "you don't understand."

"Then make me understand."

"He doesn't have to," said Osric.

"I will."

He crossed the room unhurried and stopped in front of me.

The sun slanted through the high windows and fell across his sleeve.

A faint smoke rose from the cloth, and he didn't seem to care.

"Send them out, Oswald," he said gently.

"This is family business."

Crane's voice shook.

"Everyone out," he said.

"All of you.

"Now."

The hunters filed out of the hall, one by one.

Astrid hesitated at the door.

"Go," I said.

"Stay close."

The door shut.

It was just the three of us, with the sun and the dust and the long table.

Osric set his glass down.

"You've learned a good deal in five days," he said.

"I'm proud of you.

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