πππ Β πππππππ Β πππ Β πππππ Β , Β with Β hedges Β bracketing Β the Β world Β in Β even Β rows. Β The Β slew Β of Β bodies Β has Β already Β pushed Β through Β the Β greeneryβhad Β parted Β it Β in Β two, Β then Β parted Β with. Β It Β was Β the Β Val Β Faim Β way. Β By Β now, Β it Β was Β branching Β in Β other Β parts Β of Β the Β palace, Β just Β a Β wild Β and Β merry Β crossing Β over Β the Β evening Β grave. Β From Β his Β bench, Β Matthieu Β can Β only Β see Β the Β fallout: Β snagged Β bramble, Β trampled Β rosehip, Β a Β few Β ribbons Β thrown Β over Β trellises. Β The Β crowd's Β glimmer Β soughed Β off Β like Β scales. Β Something Β to Β be Β said Β for Β creatures Β left Β alive Β too Β long. Β They Β outgrow Β their Β habitat, Β in Β the Β end. Β This Β is Β what Β remains: Β dead Β skin, Β dead Β morals. Β Garottes Β of Β silk Β and Β a Β gallows' Β aria, Β where Β the Β man Β doing Β the Β maiming Β is Β the Β headliner Β for Β the Β night. Β Wellβnot Β the Β only Β man. Β Fortin Β had Β tendered Β his Β pound Β of Β flesh Β as Β well.
The Β Chevalier Β leans Β his Β sword Β on Β his Β thighs, Β blade Β flat Β with Β the Β earth. Β He Β scrapes Β the Β whetstone Β over Β the Β edges, Β careful Β at Β the Β downturn, Β over Β and Β over Β in Β the Β gathering Β dark. Β The Β lanterns Β flicker Β like Β corpselight Β around Β the Β gravelled Β path. Β Under Β their Β radius, Β he Β has Β to Β bow Β his Β head Β to Β examine Β it. Β Could Β use Β some Β more Β scrubbing, Β if Β you're Β the Β sort Β that Β balks Β at Β blood. Β Could Β use Β an Β oilcloth Β on Β the Β hilt. Β It's Β hard Β work, Β polishing Β off Β a Β man's Β bowels. Β It Β wouldn't Β do Β in Β a Β parade; Β wouldn't Β do Β at Β all. Β He Β tests Β the Β cut Β with Β a Β prod, Β minding Β his Β fingers. Β It's Β not Β his Β best Β blade. Β It's Β not Β the Β one Β he Β used Β for Β Auclair. Β He Β supposes Β that Β makes Β this Β killing Β a Β rather Β humdrum Β affair. Β Not Β much Β of Β a Β novelty, Β is Β it Β ? Β Teach Β a Β mummer Β enough Β party Β tricks, Β and Β the Β thrill Β deafens. Β The Β shine Β rubs Β off Β around Β the Β dozenth Β tumble.
He Β picks Β up Β footsteps Β down Β the Β alley. Β Something Β in Β him Β jerks, Β and Β something Β stills. Β The Β Chevalier Β schools Β his Β face Β in Β a Β tight Β pull Β from Β brow Β to Β chin. Β He Β levels Β the Β broadsword. Β Squares Β both Β feet Β around Β the Β hold. Β The Β movement Β is Β hewn Β from Β a Β soldier's Β bone, Β and Β so Β it Β is Β soothing, Β as Β much Β as Β bone Β can Β be. Β Matthieu Β Samuel, Β ringmaster Β on Β a Β carnage Β cabaret, Β speaks Β without Β turning.
"Not Β the Β escapade Β you Β imagined, Β 'm Β afraid. Β Spot's Β taken Β for Β the Β hour."












