Chapter 73

  The Realm

  While Selvin’s battered and broken body hung limply from the pole in the dirt floor basement, the thunder trailed off into the night. Ben wiped his bloody hands on a towel as wiped the sweat from his chin onto his shoulder. “Anybody want seconds on this old piece of shit?”

  Thorin shook his head. “No, I’m tired of seeing his ugly face. Let’s be done with this. She’s waiting.”

  Haldir pulled on a clean shirt and sniffed through his nose. “I agree. This has been fun and all, but we have a long journey ahead of us.”

  “Alright.” Ben pulled his knife from the sheath on his waist, then slid his hand into Selvin’s hair and lifted his head until their eyes met. “Now, I get to go be with my wife and daughter, and there’s not a fucking thing you can do about it anymore.” He slapped the blade against Selvin’s forehead and raised his eyebrows. “I told you I was going to kill you, asshole.”