Chapter 686: Leaving Camp (Part Two)
When Ashlynn walked toward the edge of the camp where the Guild Masters stood, Isabell was still staring at Darragh’s lifeless body as her mind replayed everything she had seen from Ashlynn from the very beginning of the ’tribunal’ all the way to the execution of the traitor.
From the brooding look on Tiernan’s face, it was clear that he’d also been troubled by what he’d seen, though it was difficult to say which moments in the impromptu trial had struck the muscular guild master the most. Unlike Isabell, he wasn’t accustomed to violence, and even if he’d seen a public execution before, this one had been far more... personal than anything he’d ever witnessed in Blackwell County.
For Isabell, the show and spectacle that Ashlynn created as she drew the crowd into her rhythm had been completely overwhelmed by the cold efficiency with which the young lady had executed the traitor and her warning to everyone watching about the fate that awaited anyone who betrayed their close ones.
More than anything, the sight of the pained and coldly furious look in Ashlynn’s eyes when she ran Darragh through was an image she couldn’t get out of her mind and she kept replaying the moment over and over again, right up until Ashlynn startled her out of her thoughts when she addressed the pair of Guild Masters.
"Master Isabell, Master Tiernan," Ashlynn said politely forcing herself to maintain a certain amount of formality until they were out of sight of their ’guests.’ "I’m sorry you had to witness something so ugly on the night we finally reunited. I’m sure you both have many questions," she said, wearing a smile that felt polite but slightly forced and more than a little tired. "If you’ll come with me, Marcel should have the carriage ready for us momentarily."
"Ashlynn," Isabell said softly, deliberately refusing to match the young lady’s formal tone. "You don’t have to pretend with us. I know that must have been harder on you than it looked. If you need time to collect yourself before we go," she said, glancing at the large tent where Ashlynn had been waiting when they arrived.
"I can also be company for you if it would help," she offered, glancing apologetically at Master Tiernan. "We have time. The Lothians aren’t expecting us back for several days. You don’t need to rush on our behalf."
"No, you don’t understand," Ashlynn said, shaking her head gently. "But you will. Come with me," she said, holding out a hand to Isabell and nodding for Master Tiernan to follow them. "If you want to rest during the ride, that’s also fine," she added when she opened the door to her carriage.
Before she could enter, however, she was interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Constable Daithi, looking uncomfortable at having to interrupt her departure but clearly having decided that whatever weighed on him was important enough to come seek her out before she could depart.