Page 55 of The War is Coming

“He smells wrong,” General Gasgoyne commented.

“He looks wrong as well,” Blake said.

“Answer me, Blake. Are you going to give me sanctuary? Ashton promised me you would.”

“We’re all shifters here; your lies won’t work, and you will address the King by his proper title of King Blake or Your Majesty,” Frederick growled out.

The shaman sighed. “King Blake, are you offering me sanctuary or not? I can tell you about what Barnabus is up to.”

“We already know what he’s up to. About The Rising, the spear, his shadow and contacting rogues. Plus, he tried to release demons from Tartarus, but failed,” Blake said.

The shaman's mouth dropped open in surprise. “You know everything?”

“We do. So, tell me why I should give you sanctuary,” Blake said.

“Because I’m a shaman, I can help you,” he replied.

Blake scoffed. “The only reason my Regent let you through the wards was to stand trial for your crimes.”

“What? No, you can’t do that,” the shaman shouted, sounding panicked.

“You’ll stay here until your trial, which you understand is just a formality,” Blake told him

“If I were you, I’d start praying for a swift death,” General Delinga said.

Blake looked at the two Generals and Frederick. “Let’s go.” And ignoring the shaman’s calls, the four men walked out of the cells.

General Delinga closed the main cell door, cutting out the sound of his shouting and walked out into the sunlight.

“I never knew someone could smell so wrong,” General Gasgoyne said, shaking his head.

“He was never the best shaman, only looking after his own interests and those who could pay him, but he’s changed a lot since I last saw him. He always had a strange smell to him, but if I didn’t know better, I would say he smelt rotten.”

“I agree, he does indeed smell rotten,” General Delinga said.

“We need to know everything he knows, as I’m sure he has secrets to share,” Frederick said.

“Sergeant Cowell is our best interrogator,” General Gasgoyne said.

“My son is ours. We can get them both here together. If he has secrets, they can find them all out,” General Delinga said.

“Good. Once Tudor and Puff wake up, we can hold his trial. If you want, I’ll let you think up a creative way to kill him,” Blake said. He took a breath, as if breathing in the fresh air. “If it was just down to me, because of what he did to Phil and Clara, I’ll rip him to pieces, but he was instrumental in dragon and gargoyle deaths, so get thinking and we can run your ideas by Puff and Tudor.”

“We’ll do that, thank you, sire,” General Gasgoyne said.

“Guys, I think you can call me Blake,” he said to them.

“We shall endeavor to remember, sire,” General Delinga said with a laugh.

“Gah, I’m off. I need to catch up on things. I’ll see you both around. Frederick, walk with me.”

“When you send your men in, can you message me and I’ll come and watch? I’m always interested in interrogation techniques,” Frederick said to them.

“We will.” The generals promised.

“Thanks. See you later,” Frederick said to them and then followed Blake.

“Did you talk to your mate and Zeus last night?”