Drefan herded the husk over with his torch and forced him to kneel before the Thegn. “I suffered your presence for Brogan’s sake,” Kederic said. “But now that he is gone, I see no more use for you. I will light a fire in his honor with your unnatural carcass.”

“Honor the man you murdered?” the husk replied.

“I murdered no one,” Kederic said through clenched teeth.

Padric tried to rise again, but Aglaeca put a boot to his chest, so he tossed his words at the Thegn from the floor. “Then which of these whoresons did it for you? I know the men you keep, curs all! Fat Donall would drown a man for an onion!”

The man named chortled heartily from his bench.

“Poncey Swan’s too much a coward,” Padric pressed on. “And Big Cunny too daft. Drefan more than likely did your skullduggery. All for a pat on the head! Be proud of them, Thegn. Men such as these will be fit for your court. Only they would serve a Goblin King!”

Kederic snatched Padric by his tunic and hauled him upright. He shook him, their noses almost touching as he yelled in his face. “You would say this to me? You! Fae’s pet that you are! I saved your life, boy! How dare you! How dare you!”

Padric did not struggle, he did not pull away. He just looked into that red face. “I would dare anything for Rosheen.”

Kederic’s face fell, his eyes filled with sorrow. “She has you bewitched.” He released his hold and motioned to Aglaeca. “Get these cutthroats out of my sight.”

Acwellen strode forward. “That will be difficult, my lord.”

Kederic turned. “Why?”

Acwellen’s fist slammed into the Thegn’s jaw, showering Padric’s face with bloody spittle. Kederic stumbled but did not fall until Aglaeca kicked his legs out from under him. Padric stood stunned but that did not stop Drefan from planting a knee into his gut and sending him to the floor beside the Thegn.

“Because,” Acwellen leaned over them smiling. “You will be seeing them right up until the end.”

“Acwellen!” Kederic’s voice was full of fury and blood. “You cannot expect to get away with this.”

“You’ll not be talking your way outta this one, My Lord Winetongue,” Acwellen chided. “I got all me boys here. Where’re yours?” He straightened as he laughed, full of himself. “Seon, run along and let our guests in! They’ve been awaitin’ too long.”

Big Cunny went to work binding all their hands while Acwellen seated himself and pulled deeply from a bottle.

“The other carls will not stand for this,” Kederic said as his bonds were pulled tight. “They will never accept such treachery.”