“Every time I do, it is worse. Worse for me and for the victim of his brutality.” I furrowed my brow. How could that be? Dead was dead. “I know the limits of my oath,” he said after catching my frown. "The king can't make me kill anyone but those threatening his life or his rule.” Arnik and the rebels had been after both. “For traitors,” he continued. “There is a difference between a quick death and one that is drawn out and painful. When I have attempted to refuse him, the compulsion to act builds and builds until it seizes me and I cannot resist. I have nailed my feet to the floor to try to
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