Role

Chapter 3

--Two Days Later--

"Coxan, Coxan! LET ME IN!" shouted Iderah, "Hurry!"

Coxan Cwain was unamused and purposefully took his time undoing the seven
locks on his front door. Iderah, meanwhile, beat impatiently on the door as
if it were a drum. When the final lock was undone, Iderah pushed herself
through the door and slammed it behind her, panting fearfully. Coxan Cwain
eyed her up and down, noting her bruises and blood stained dressing down.

"That ain't your blood then, hm? What've they had you up to this time?"

"It was a complete cock-up, Coxan! Atavia's gotten old and stupid, and she
didn't do her research on Grigori Felport at all. Coxan... Coxan, I think
I killed him..." Iderah trailed off as her speech devolved into gentle sobs.
"I've done so much bad stuff... I've never killed anyone. Never! And now
Atavia's going to kill ME! I ran! I didn't know what to do!"

Coxan Cwain rubbed his white goatee thoughtfully before saying, "Nah, she
won't put you away. I've got a crazy idea. Even seen it work before,
long time ago."

Iderah raised a brow. "Tell me, I'll do anything!"

"Right then, what you do is, you turn yourself in to the guard and get
executed for murder. That'll get Atavia off your back, sure as can be."

"Hells bells," muttered Iderah, "You were right about crazy."

"Sure, but I know one thing you don't."

"What?"

Coxan smiled, revealing a well-worn set of wooden teeth. "I know the
executioner, and he owes me a favor."