Read The Great Bear: The Adarna chronicles - Book 3 for Free Online

would have sounded like an admission of love or transgression. From Ashferon, it was simply a statement of respect. Ellasand had loved her occasional debates with the grand inquisitor – she always said she found him entertaining, although Martius could never understand why. He is highly intelligent, but there is something missing. Nevertheless, even Ashferon, for all that he seemed to lack some basic aspect of the human psyche, had guessed – had seen – what Martius could not.  
    Jhan Guttel was telling the truth.
    What have I done? As quickly as the thought struck him, another followed. If Guttel is telling the truth, then more than one person is trying to kill me. ‘You have many enemies, Martius.’ Turbis’s old admonishment rang in his ears. ‘You must be careful…’
    Ashferon was observing him, a heretofore unseen expression on his face. Is that pity?
    “Why did you continue if he was telling the truth?” You are an inquisitor. You should know the difference.
    Ashferon took a long time to reply. The silence filled with accusation.  
    You are no better than the Emperor. You have become what you despise. The power has finally driven you mad. But Martius knew the truth and clung to it. I have been consumed with anger. I wanted revenge. No one had threatened his family before . No one had hurt Ellasand.
    Ashferon spoke, finally. “As I said, that and I allowed myself to believe that you might possess a greater insight than I…”
    It sounded like respect.“But you are an inquisitor,” Martius weakly protested. He took a deep breath and let the rage he had pent up for days dissipate as if it were a physical thing. It felt like he had exorcised a powerful spirit.
    “I was an inquisitor.” Ashferon shrugged. “And you are Felix Martius.” It was as if that simple statement was enough. A small smile – it may have been rueful – played across his lips. “Besides, I’m a private citizen now.”  
    Ashferon had never revealed why he left his post, but Martius did not need to ask to know the answer. Mucinas Ravenas. Ashferon would not do the work of a despotic emperor. A strange moral boundary for an inquisitor, but a moral boundary nonetheless.  
    “You never cease to amaze me.” Martius smiled and the last of his anger abated. Strangely, despite the fact that Jhan Guttel still sat bound to a chair, colour slowly returning to his face, a smile did not feel inappropriate.
    “Sir?” Villius asked, his tone formal once more. “I knew you would do the right thing, sir.”
    How quickly your faith is restored. “Thank you, Villius.” Thank you for dragging me from the abyss.
    “Forgive me, sir. But what should we do with him now?”
    It was a good question. Jhan Guttel was a thief and rogue. There was no doubt that the world would be a better place without him. He was a citizen of the Empire though, a citizen who had been attacked, seemingly without provocation.
    “Please don’t kill me.” Guttel pleaded. Tears coursed down his cheeks. “Please. I won’t tell anyone. Just let me live.” His rheumy eyes bored into Martius. “Please, General. I swear.” He looked towards Tituss and flinched, though the great giant did not move. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
    Martius’s legs carried him to stand before Guttel. “Tituss,” he addressed the behemoth looming over them all. “Would you kindly release this man’s bonds?”
    In answer, Tituss removed a small knife from his belt and cut the rope binding Guttel in one smooth and practiced motion.
    Guttel winced as the bonds released. He brought his hands up, clenched and unclenched them slowly, wincing as he did so.
    “The blood flow will return shortly,” Ashferon stated quietly. “There should be no permanent damage.”
    “Thank you.” Guttel sobbed the words as much as said them. He looked into Martius’s eyes, the light of life and hope returning by small increments to his face.
    I almost kill him and he thanks me. It struck Martius as