Clang!
The sword slipped from Kasmeri's fingers, its steel echoing like a cry of betrayal as it struck the stone floor.
Kasmeri could not believe that he got distracted and let go of his weapon. How could he let it happen? He shook his head to wake himself up from his current stupor.
"You were deceived," King Heimdal said, his voice low and deliberate, eyes narrowing beneath a storm of thoughts. "Someone's been feeding you lies... twisting your fury, bending it to their will. Using you—to kill me, and further their own ambitions."
Kasmeri hesitated. Just a fraction of a moment. His fingers twitched, and the tremble in his hand stilled. Then he bent, retrieved the sword, and with a smirk, leveled it at the king's chest.
"You are lying," he hissed, voice thick with contempt. "Your mind games won't work on me. I am no fool, Heimdal." He spoke the king's name without honor, without the slightest respect.
