“Exactly. And Borlee would probably be cheerleading Edge all the way, goading him until he fired the first volley. Then, once the war was in full swing, Borlee could take out Edge himself when the guy was the most vulnerable. And with both the battle lord and his daughter out of the way…”
“Borlee could assume the leadership and leave Tanger to take the fall, with no one being the wiser. Son of a bitch. Bastard was more cunning than anyone knew.”
“Yeah. He had the perfect disguise and position, and used it for all it was worth.” Mattox didn’t ask what Yulen had planned for the second. He was looking forward to seeing justice served, especially for Caralas’ sake.
Yulen found a soldier, who led them to the section where Edge’s men were camped. A guard standing in front of the tent assured him Borlee was inside, then turned to let the battle lord know D’Jacques was there, but Yulen stopped him.
“No. I need you to leave.”
“Sir?”
Yulen jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “Go,” he repeated in his authoritative voice.
The man gave the tent another glance, then hurried away.
Raising his hand, Yulen gave the signal, and a squad of thirty men encircled both the tent and Edge’s men. The other battle lords emerged sleepily from their shelters as they were notified that something was up with D’Jacques. Seeing the large cadre of armed soldiers, they lowered their own weapons and watched to see the drama they knew was coming play out.
Yulen waited for Atty and Caralas to join him and Mattox, then called out to the man inside the tent. “Reech Borlee! Front and center!Now.”
It took a few moments for the man to emerge. When he finally stepped out, two guards took him in custody while a third guard divested the man of his weapons belts, and searched the second for any additional weapons he had hidden on his person. He gave Yulen a nod to let the battle lord know the man was clean.
Borlee stared at Yulen as his hands were secured behind his back. “What the fuck is all this about, sir?”
“Did you or did you not enlist a Blood to take out Lorgon Edge, Battle Lord of Vega City?”
Borlee looked confused. “Lorgon? Why would I want to kill Lorgon? He was my best friend.”
“Because we just stopped a Blood who managed to get inside this compound and kill him with one of Atty’s arrows. He told us you had promised the Bloods they could have Alta Novis in payment.”
The man gave him a puzzled stare. “I did no such thing. I never spoke to a Blood. Hell, I wouldn’t know how or where to get in contact with any of those heathens.”
“Then how did he know your name? Why did he tell us such a thing? They were the last words he uttered before he died,” Mattox added.
“He couldn’t have! I never spoke to no Blood!”
Yulen glanced behind him and made a gesture. Johna walked up to join him.
“Well?”
“He was shocked to hear Edge is dead. He almost doesn’t believe you.”
“Then will you believethis?” Caralas came up from behind Mattox to stand beside him. Her tunic and pants shone a dull red from Edge’s blood. “You had my father killed, you worthless piece of shit!”
“I did no such thing!” Borlee yelled back. “I never made a pact with Bloods to have your father killed!” He stopped and laughed nervously as he glanced around at the soldiers and the other battle lords standing behind them. “Go ahead! Test me, or whatever the fuck you Mutah freaks do to tell if someone is lying. I never wanted Lorgon killed.”
“That’s because it wasmeyou wanted taken out,” Caralas said through gritted teeth, revealing her ace. “I was the only thing standing in your way to keep you from obtaining Vega City for yourself. With me gone, my father would have no heir.”
“She was the most vulnerable,” Mattox stated. “You knew Edge was guarded at all times by his men, but Caralas not so much.”
“You also knew that if you had Edge taken out, suspicion would automatically fall on Tanger, Battle Lord of Red Rock,” Yulen continued. “That’s why you went with a Blood. That’s why you had them steal arrows from my wife’s cache. So that when they succeeded, blame would fall on us. On me and my compound, if not directly on Atty. And if that didn’t pan out, you still had Tanger you could fall back on.”
“And I’m telling you you’re way off base with your ridiculous accusations, D’Jacques! I didn’t contact any Blood, and I damn well didn’t order Lorgon Edge assassinated!”
“He’s lying,” Johna confirmed. “Something he just said is a lie.”
Panic was rising in the man’s face. “You’re going to believe that Mutah bitch?”
“Of course, I believe her. She can see things we Normals can’t. Like the fact that your face changes whenever you lie, whether you’re aware of it or not.”
