‘All is settled then - the war ended, this land conquered, my son rescued, the traitors purged from my court, and the army restored to its former glory. I ask of you, for all these deeds and more, what will you take as your reward? Land? Gold? Titles? Say it and it is done.’
The man kneeling before the King keeps his eyes low. ‘Just this.’
A single strike upwards. The King’s head cleft from his neck. Blood spatters the smiling man and the screaming begins.
Paddy Dobson
6th October 2023