The Test of Ostra
Page 29
As the door swings open, a man walks in. The massive wolf barks. Dante knows the dog well. It is Shep, Dotore’s dog. “Come out, Dante. Now runt, before I pull you by the scruff of your neck.” He orders. Dante pops his head up, his head bowed down in shame. Cammilia lets out a familiar bark, as if to clear the air. “You too Sylvia!” He orders.
She emerges. Both have guilty looks on their faces. “I asked her here.” He says. “She has no part in this.”
“That’s not true.” She says. “I’m here of my own free will.”
Germanicus sighs. He looks over at the window. “Breaking and entering. Attempting to end an execution. These are serious charges.” Dante wants to argue. “Say nothing,” says Germanicus. “The minimum penalty is expulsion from the program.”
Dante falls on his knees, a gesture of beseeching. Germanicus rolls his eyes. “Get up runt. There are four men stationed on the perimeter here. Do you believe we would leave the prisoner unguarded?”
“I cry pardon, Dotore. I am a foolish boy.”
He looks at Sylvia. “And you Lady-Dais. You have been an errant girl, following in the footsteps of a capricious boy. You both deserve serious sanctions.”
“I cry pardon.” She pleads.
He looks at Dante. “I hold you most of all responsible. It is you who is to lead by example, you arrogant, capricious lad. You have much to learn.”
Dante glances down and holds his tears at bay. He knows his time as recruit has ended.
Dotore laughs. They both look up in surprise. “And yet I cannot fault you. You have showed initiative, resolve, sensitivity and compassion. Let me see the weapon you have chosen.” He demands.
Dante throws him the sling. Dotore looks it over. “A fine weapon. And you are a crack shot with it. This will knock him unconscious while you believe him to be dead. Talgath will wake up in a terrible state of agony, worse than when you started. This weapon is better suited.” He extracts his long rifle with a sniper scope attached. “You ken?” He asks.
Dante nods. “Ai, Dotore.”
Dotore goes to the window with his sniper rifle. “Seems I can’t make a formal accusation anyway as you were never here. You ken?” He eyes the couple.
They nod their heads vigorously. “Ai, Dotore,” says Dante. “Ai, Sai-Germanicus,” agrees Sylvia.
“If I finish the job and see you both here, perhaps I’ll change my mind. Vanish at tempest halt, the same way you came.”
“Ai.” They waste no time and leave.
Germanicus lines up his sites, takes careful aim and squeezes the trigger. The bullet’s aim is rapid, accurate, and takes off part of Talgath’s skull. He slumps down and is still. “You were once a brother of Gilleon, Talgath.” Germanicus signs the cross. “Christ be with you. May you choose better in the next life.” Shep nudges his muzzle into his side and he warms to his embrace. “Let’s go boy.”
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Book 4 - Available in early 2020
Book Three is the latest installment of The Brotherhood of Merlin series, and unfortunately Book Four will not be available until the winter of 2020. However, if you’re really enjoying the Brotherhood universe, I’ve got great news for you.
On September 1, 2019, I am releasing the first book of my series, a new spin-off series from The Brotherhood of Merlin, called The Hound of Hell: Book One. Many of the events parallel The Brotherhood of Merlin and involve Merlin’s leader of his spy network, Renault, aka The Hound of Hell.
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