A low, strangled moan came from the body on the cross. Winter Kay ignored the sound.
‘We stand on the verge of immortality. To achieve our goal we must be steadfast, our hearts filled with courage. Do not be dismayed by delays. All great causes suffer some reverses. It is how we overcome them that dictates our greatness.’ He stared out over the red-robed warriors, then took a deep breath. ‘Return to the dining hall and eat, my friends. Enjoy the evening. There is much work to be done during these remaining winter months, and much hardship to be endured. Go now. Relax and enjoy yourselves.’ He turned towards the two men closest to him and signalled them to remain. The other Redeemers filed slowly from the hall.
Winter Kay twisted his chair and sat down facing the dying man. Person had bitten through his lip and blood now flowed through the gag and down over his beard. ‘You really are a disgraceful spectacle,’ said Winter Kay. ‘There is nothing about you that is remotely admirable.’
‘A shame about Petar,’ said Marl Coper. Winter Kay transferred his gaze to his aide, and stared hard at the thin-faced young man.
‘I thought you did not like him, Marl.’
‘I didn’t, lord. He was, however, a fine duellist and had performed adequately in the past. He was also appallingly bad at cards, and I shall miss the vast amounts I won from him.’
‘What do you wish us to do about Macon now, lord?’ asked the second man, a sandy-haired, middle-aged nobleman named Eris Velroy. He seemed ill at ease, and his eyes kept darting towards the dying man on the cross. Winter Kay held his gaze, noting the sheen of sweat on the man’s brow.
‘Is something troubling you, Velroy?’
‘Not at all, my lord.’
‘Ferson was your friend, was he not?’
‘Not exactly friends, my lord. More . . . acquaintances I would say.’
Winter Kay gave a cold smile. ‘It never ceases to surprise me how few friends the doomed have. One moment they are surrounded by smiling faces, the next they are utterly friendless.’ The man on the cross suddenly cried out. His scream, though muffled by the cloth, was shrill. ‘Oh, he is really beginning to bore me now,’ said Winter Kay, rising from his chair. Leaning against the cross was an iron club. Hefting it Winter Kay smashed two blows to the dying man’s legs, snapping the bones. Ferson screamed again. He tried to draw himself up on his arms, but his strength gave out and he sagged down. Within moments his breathing had ceased. ‘Now, as to Macon,’ said Winter Kay, laying down the club. ‘He has proved more resilient than one would have hoped. Had he died during the duel with Person we could have closed the matter quietly. Indeed, had Petar and Sholar succeeded the issue would have been over. However, we cannot continue to send individual assassins. Macon will be wary now.’ Winter Kay sighed. ‘Unfortunately we must take decisive action of a larger nature. This will necessitate some planning, for it will first involve the elimination of a secondary threat.’
‘From what quarter, lord?’ asked Marl Coper.
‘Gaise Macon is the son of the Moidart. It was my hope to enlist him to our order. He has all the qualities we seek: courage, single-mindedness, and an abhorrence for weakness and the endless stupidity of compassion. Those same qualities, however, would ensure his enmity once his son was killed. It is essential, therefore, that the Moidart is dealt with before we sentence Macon. Choose two men, Marl. Go north with letters from me to the Moidart. He will welcome you. While at his castle kill him, and make it appear the work of assassins. The Moidart is no stranger to assassination attempts. Once he is dead we will deal with his son.’
Marl Coper remained silent for a moment. Winter Kay knew what he was thinking. The Moidart’s reputation was unparalleled. Harsh and deadly were the two words most often used, but even these did not come close to doing him justice.
‘He is older now,’ said Winter Kay, softly. ‘His body is a mass of burn scars that plague him constantly, and he has a festering wound in his groin, that will never quite heal. He is merely a man, Marl.’