Free Forged In Death, Book 1 of The Death Wizard Chronicles by Jim Melvin

slightly—and the Chain Man froze.
    The Death-Knower’s belligerence, rather than anger Invictus, appeared to amuse him. “Of course, Torgon . As my subjects will readily attest, I am fair and just. Feel free to say whatever is on your mind.”
    “ YES! ”
    Torg spoke slowly. “I gave my word to Mala that I would allow him to bring me here to you. As of now, I have honored my vow. And I can sense in my heart that the noble ones are safe, which means that Mala has honored his.”
    “Go on,” Invictus said. “This is fascinating.”
    “Henceforth, I consider myself free of any bonds. I will now make every effort to escape. And there’s more. I tell you and all present that I despise you and your servants. This means, I suppose, that I plead guilty to your charges.”
    Bhayatupa, still poised on the roof of Uccheda, lifted his head and chortled. It was an eerie sound, deep and rumbling. Mala shook with rage, and the Kojin leapt up and down, pounding her numerous fists. The druids also reacted by re-creating their peculiar rhythmic humming, while in the background the crowd chanted, “ YES! YES! YES!”
    Regardless, the young sorcerer seemed unperturbed. He stepped off the balcony, descended slowly to the ground—his golden robes spread like wings—and landed as gently as a fallen leaf. With a quick little hop, he pounced onto the wagon bed and stared into Torg’s eyes. The massive gathering was shocked into silence.
    Sōbhana slithered within striking distance, but she was terrified. If Invictus attacked Torg, would she have the courage to defend him?
    “Ah, such entertainment,” the sorcerer said. “You enthrall me, Death-Knower. You are so  . . . interesting . And nowadays, I find so few things interesting. Being a god can be so boring . There aren’t enough challenges. Everyone does exactly what I say. Do you understand my predicament?”
    “I understand you are a spoiled child,” Torg said. “A wicked child, as well, blind to your failings. I can redeem you, if you will allow me into your heart. You will not regret it. But you must somehow find the wisdom to listen.”
    Somewhere in the clouds Bhayatupa laughed again. The crowd seemed to stir.
    Invictus’ composure began to diminish. “Do not test me too severely. I find you amusing, but not so amusing that you are beyond punishment. I can see that you do not fear for yourself, but what of your precious others? Do you truly believe that the noble ones are safe? Perhaps I could destroy them all with only a thought. Or even worse, I could infect them with an evil that would force them to perform my bidding.”
    “Not even you are that powerful,” Torg said. But Sōbhana detected doubt in his voice.
    Mala stood next to the wagon. Though the monster’s feet were on the ground, his eyes were level with the wizard and sorcerer’s. “ Pleaaaaase , my king, I beseech you,” he said, his fangs spewing poison. “Allow me to rip him to pieces.”
    “Nay, I have prepared a place for him of my choosing,” Invictus said. “There he will endure pain far greater than what you are suggesting. After a time he will beg to join us  . . . if he manages to survive.”
    Then Invictus raised his arms, and his voice again boomed throughout the valley. “You have heard for yourselves.”
    “ YES! ”
    “ The Torgon admits his guilt.”
    “ YES! ”
    “I will now pronounce his sentence.”
    “ YES! ”
    “ The Torgon will be taken to Asubha where he will be imprisoned until he repents.”
    “ YES! YES! YES! ”
    “No,” Sōbhana begged. “Please  . . . no.”
    Invictus abandoned Torg in the wagon at the base of Uccheda for three days, giving him nothing to drink or eat. Apparently Invictus intended to weaken the wizard even further. Twice the skies darkened and rained lightly. Sōbhana watched her king catch water on his tongue. The brief sprinkles appeared to entrance him despite his dismal situation, as if the scattered drops were things of