Free M. K. Hume [King Arthur Trilogy 04] The Last Dragon by M. K. Hume Page B

children were also born on this hallowed soil. For generations, Deva has served as a sanctuary for all natives of these islands and as a conduit for the wealth that came from the new tribal traders of the Middle Sea. The Roman Empire may be dead, but Deva presented a sense of order and honour in an uncertain world. My wife is a Brigante woman, or she was until the Picts raped her to death in the fall of Deva. My father died at the city gates with the other members of Deva’s council as they attempted to parlay with you and your evil master. They were unarmed. They were killed where they stood, like felons rather than true Britons. I claim the right to judge you and to be your executioner, as do my fellow citizens, those who have suffered and bled because of your greed.’
    ‘I played no part in Deva’s destruction,’ Mark protested, as the men with Causus strode, limped and hobbled to the centre of the hall. But the words came out as a whine rather than an accusation. ‘Modred chose to send a message to Artor which told the High King that the old ways were gone and finished. You were his victims, not mine.’
    ‘But you said nothing to Modred that could have saved us,’ roared an old-young man with wild eyes and a crazed expression. His face had a red scar that ran from his right eyebrow across his nose to his jaw, while his arm had a wrapped stump where his forearm and hand had once been. ‘I am Jacobus ap Lorweth, and my kin are both Roman and Deceangli. My mother was born within spitting distance of your accursed hall, Mark, and she was killed in her own house while surrounded by her grandchildren. Why did you permit the Picts to kill children, you traitorous bastard? Why did you turn your face away from your own people?’
    ‘You have the right, citizens of Deva, to demand reparation from all of the Deceangli nobles assembled here.’ Bran’s voice was hard, for he had found it difficult to hear the stories of these two men and learn that they were true Britons who had been irreparably wronged by Modred and Mark.
    ‘I have been appointed as the new magistrate of Deva since the old was executed by Modred,’ Causus said slowly. He gathered his gravitas around his stocky form as if he were donning an invisible cloak. ‘We have decided already that we will not call for judgement on anyone but Mark, a man who had the power to save our people, but chose to remain silent and comply with the orders issued by Modred. Perhaps the Matricide would have stayed his hand had Mark insisted. Perhaps it is Mark who should take the ultimate responsibility for the actions of the traitors.’
    ‘Then you may announce your judgement,’ Gawayne called from the Otadini camp. ‘It is clear to me that you are owed a large portion of the blood price paid by Mark’s and Modred’s tribes, and that this traitor should be judged by the people of Deva.’
    Voices rose in vociferous agreement. Inured to the predictable moral weakness of the kings, Bran smiled sardonically at their eagerness to pass on the unpleasant task of judgement to other shoulders. He was aware that many of them must be feeling a twinge of guilt at Deva’s fate, for Artor was the only ruler who had made any attempt to save the city.
    The men of Deva conferred briefly, and then Causus Gallio faced the assembly.
    ‘Then we demand the body and soul of this creature. He would welcome death as a release, so we decree that he shall live. He dreads any return to the cells of Deva, so we decree that he shall rot there. I hope that he will remember the dead of our city until his last breath, and I pray that his victims visit him during the long nights and cluster around him until he howls to his gods for release. Even then, we will keep his husk alive to suffer as we have suffered. As my father often said: So let it be written: so let it be done .’
    Mark began to shriek in a voice far more powerful than his ruined body should have permitted. As he was dragged away, he