The Lothian Court, and perhaps the entire Great Hall, held their breath as they watched Lady Ashlynn reach for the Holy Flame Blade.
Everyone thought they knew what was about to happen. The Marchioness would place her hands on the hilt of the weapon and give the formal order to Ignatious to act as her headsman and claim the life of Abbot Recared. That wasn't the moment they were waiting for.
The moment they were waiting for was the moment that a High Inquisitor became a simple headsman to execute a member of his own order. No one living had ever seen such a thing, but they were certain that it wouldn't be an ordinary execution.
But Lady didn't rest her fingers on the hilt of the Holy Flame Blade in Ignatious's hands, or even hover above it while she gave her orders. Her fingers wrapped around the hilt wrapped in braided gold wire, gripping it firmly and confidently as she drew the blade from its ornate sheath.
