Last Argument of Kings (The First Law, #3)

by Joe Abercrombie

Produce this bastard, if you can, so-called First of the Magi! Work your magic!” “No magic is needful,” sneered Bayaz. “The king’s son is already with us in the chamber.” Gasps of consternation from the gallery, sighs of amazement from the councillors, stunned silence from the Closed Council and their aides, every eye fixed on Bayaz’s pointing finger as he swept out his hand towards the wall. “No other man than Colonel Jezal dan Luthar!” The spasm began in Glokta’s toeless foot, shot up his ruined leg, set his twisted spine shivering from his arse right to his skull, made his face twitch like an angry jelly, made his few teeth rattle in his empty gums, set his eyelid flickering fast as a fly’s wings. The echoes of Bayaz’s last utterance whispered round the suddenly silent hall. “Luthar, Luthar, Luthar…” You must be fucking joking.