Drake! My name is Dawson Drake!” His knees buckled.
Sam motioned for the guards to lift Double D back to his feet and spoke for all to hear. “Dawson Drake, I hold you responsible for your actions! The murders committed against King Aaron Brandor, and General Justin Graywind, will be brought to justice on this Peak in front of the people of this great kingdom.”
Sam placed the point of Kael against Double D’s healthy shoulder and commanded the blade’s fire to come forth. He pushed the point into the assassin’s flesh at a slow, steady pace.
The killer cried out as the heat cauterized the wound.
The crowd cheered as they watched their king twist the weapon. The louder the man screamed, the happier the people became.
Sam withdrew his sword and then pushed the blade ever so slowly into Double D’s stomach. The screams of the murderer were horrific as the crowd continued to applaud his torture.
Sam’s abuse of Dawson Drake would have continued, but Shalee ran across the stage to stop him. She whispered in his ear. “Sam ... you’re scaring me. Stop.”
“I’m not finished with him. He deserves this.”
Shalee stood her ground. “You end this, or I’ll end it for you!”
Sam held Shalee’s eyes for a fair period of moments before he commanded the guards to release Double D.
The guards did as they were told, unsure of the king’s intent.
The crowd’s eyes were filled with questions, many of them screaming for answers.
Sam held up his hand.
The mob silenced.
The king leaned in and whispered to Shalee, but it was not Sam that responded. It was the demon at the back of his mind. “I will end it my way.”
Shalee shuddered. There was a coldness in Sam’s expression—one that she did not want to oppose. “Do it however you want ... just so long as it ends.” She retreated to her seat and turned away.
The king’s face tightened. Without another word, he turned and buried the assassin’s dagger into Double D’s gut and then left the blade buried as he took a step back. With the assassin doubled over, Sam lifted Kael to his mouth and commanded the flame to go cold. Without further hesitation, he lifted Kael above his head and brought the god-sword down across the top of Double D’s head.
The force of the impact split the assassin and his dagger in half like a knife cutting through butter. After a few short moments, the assassin’s weight shifted and both halves opened like a fisherman’s net that dropped its catch across the deck. Double D’s halves fell in opposite directions as his guts slid across the stage.
The crowd erupted, glorifying their new king’s actions, screaming their praises and asking the gods to grant Sam long life.
Sam fought to put the demon in his mind back in its cage as he held up his hand to silence the mob. He commanded the nobles and the senators to leave for the arena. “I want you to build a platform. We will light the fire to celebrate our fallen kings tonight.” He then addressed the rest of the spectators. “I command you all to go to the arena after Late Bailem! ”
He turned to look down at Double D’s remains. “Finish cutting that thing up! Throw it into a pail and feed it to the birds!”
The mob cheered as Sam walked off the stage. As he passed, he tried to grab Shalee’s hand, but she refused to let him have it. Irritated, Sam exited through the back of the theatre.
CHAPTER 31
Gods Who Wager
The Hidden God World
Ancients Sovereign
Yaloom’s Home
LASIDIOUS WENT TO THE HOME of Yaloom on Ancients Sovereign to deliver a message. When the Mischievous One arrived, he found that Mieonus was present. She was watching the assassination of Aaron Brandor with Yaloom as they glared into an indoor waterfall that cascaded past the railing where they stood and fell into a large pool far below. This flowing sheet of water was a lot like watching a giant TV, and the images being portrayed were of events in progress.
The God of Greed had exquisite taste. His home was breathtaking, and it represented everything that he considered to be the best. Unlike his home, Yaloom’s appearance was ordinary, however, his fingers were covered with priceless rings. The god was extremely self-centered, and even the way he stood showed his arrogance.
“Good Peak,” Lasidious greeted.
When Yaloom failed to respond, Mieonus held up her right hand. “Shhhh! We’re busy.”
Lasidious shook his head and looked over the railing. The pool