Chapter 12: The Sword-Arm of Korath
As Korvos stalked the hallways of the castle, Theguis and Racius found
him.
"Someone killed Ganiri's son," she explained, showing Korvos the piece
of green fabric.
"The gate guards said that a party of Ionus and his men returned just
before Theguis and I," added Racius.
From around the corner, almost as if summoned, came Ionus and three of
his men. On seeing Korvos, Ionus headed for him.
"King Korvos, I would have a word with you," stated Ionus.
"And I would have a word with you," replied the King. "Was it you who
visited Ganiri's family and killed his son?" he accused while holding
up the green cloth and including Ionus' men.
"We did no such thing," denied Ionus.
But Korvos had had enough. On spotting the tear in the green tunic of
one of Ionus' men, King Korvos, without even thinking it, drew his
rapier and in a lightning stab killed the man, who gurgled in surprise
before collapsing in a messy heap.
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Ionus' two
other men started to draw their rapiers, along with Theguis and Racius.
But Ionus held his men back: "He is the king! We cannot act against him
in his own castle!" Turning back to Korvos, he addressed the King: "You
have more of your ancestors' blood in you than I thought, my liege. Now
you need only the proper targets for the rage that burns within you."
The last said as he eyed the two Alberothians.
"So you had Ganiri's son killed," stated Theguis flatly.
"He was disloyal to the King," admitted Ionus. "It is within my rights
to punish treasonous subjects."
"Why you son of a--"
"Hold," warned Korvos as he stopped the Princess. "Ionus, we will
discuss these matters later. But now I need to see Elmuth." Korvos
stomped off as Theguis and Racius hurried to catch up.
"That was strange," said Racius. "Why did you kill the man?"
"I don't know," replied Korvos, sounding befuddled. "My arm acted as if
it had a mind of its own."
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