With Life

He wasn’t about to let me go to town without him going with me.

And when I sought to argue, he reminded me that someone was still out to kill me. Which persuaded me to relent.

He is right about that.

I summoned the carriage, and he rode astride in pace with me.

The window was down as I glared at him. Making clear my annoyance at his presence.

“You know who it is, don’t you?”

“A rival kingdom?”

“Hardly.” He snorted. “All the goods, your beloved king sends out to his people is circumvented by carriages bearing the Bartholomew coat of arms and rerouted to Malaise City. His city.”

“You’re saying Bartholomew is stealing from us?” I nearly laughed aloud. “He’d never need to. My King gives him all that he desires.”

“And he’d have no reason to need me dead. As it stands, he would be the regent until his children are of age to assume the throne.”

“I’m no obstacle to that.”

“You would be