I press a hand against Merrick’s chest and shove his body away. It falls backwards and hits the ground with a cracking sound from his skull. Lysen, who had only a view of his friend’s back, yelps and startles toward the body. His instinct to help Merrick is instant, and he draws his sword as he moves, but realization of what’s actually happened takes a moment longer—long enough that he walks straight into the cell without regard for his own life.
