"Knock… knock…"
Soft fell the sound of Achreos' hand upon the door of the Knave's bureau, twice given, not overbold.
"Enter."
The word came quick, edged and impatient.
Scarce had Achreos set foot within when the Knave was upon him—his hand fastening hard upon the lad's collar, drawing him near with sudden force. His face was alight with fury, breath sharp, his voice breaking forth unbridled:
"Why?—why!" he yelled again, louder still. "What thought moved thee to slay those two disgraced souls?"
Achreos did not flinch, though the grip was harsh. He lifted his eyes, and answered plain, without haste:
"You bade me do it… Your Grace."
For a heartbeat there was naught but silence—tight, waiting—
Then came the blow.
The Knave's hand struck swift across his cheek, a sharp report ringing in the chamber.
"I did… I did as thou didst ask—" Achreos stammered, ere the Knave's hand came down again, fast and cruel.
Smack! The crack split the air. Achreos opened his mouth, but—
"I—" he tried again, yet the blow found him once more, hard and unrelenting.
"Speak, boy! Speak the truth!" the Knave bellowed, eyes wild, chest heaving. "No lies! Tell me… why didst thou kill them?"
"Because I—I… I truly… ch—cherished them… s—so I… I rea—realized… that they… had begun to… become my weakness… s—so I… I slew them… that I might no longer feel weak…"
The young lad's words shook from his lips, each one trembling.
The Knave stared, eyes dark and hard.
"So, have you begun to stammer like the dead varlet?"
Before the lad could speak, the Knave roared:
"Out!"
The boy said nothing, though his heart pleaded. At last he whispered, voice small:
"Your Grace… may I… may I see my mother… just once… for the last time?"
A flicker, hidden and strange, stirred in the Knave. His voice came rough, yet yielded:
"Go… and comfort the Grand Duchess."
The young lad's eyes widened. Could it be so? A faint warmth brushed his heart. He moved slowly toward the chamber of his mother, who wept still, losing herself to grief, her cries soft and broken in the silent palace.
.....To be continued