---
He tried to hide behind his butler, then pushed the older man away and started laughing again.
John watched Fartray carefully. Fartray was the only direct witness outside John's group who had watched Ned die from close range. Ned's two followers had observed the battle from farther away, but one had already fled. The other had disappeared behind the ruined building while John's attention remained fixed on Ned.
John could not allow clear witnesses to escape. Fartray knew about the trap, the guns, and Ned's death. Leaving him alive would create another serious danger.
John lifted one hand, and a small darkness appeared near his fingers.
Fartray saw it and screamed. "No."
He fell backward and crawled across the stone. "Do not put me inside it."
His butler stepped between them.
John looked at the older man. "Move."
The butler's face became pale, but he remained where he stood. "He is Count Aqua's son."
"That did not protect Ned."
