She sprawled on the ground and attempted to take off running. He pulled her backwards by the neck, and she wrapped her fingers around his gloves but knew there was no way she could release him or, for that matter, defeat him. He was stronger, and twice her size five winters ago. She had no doubts that his skills had improved during that time. Instinct took over, though, and she continued to struggle as he pulled her up to a kneeling position while his hand formed a vise grip around her neck. She heard more footsteps from behind her and instinctively tried to turn her head but he held her fast. “Gilroy, I haven’t done anything wrong.” She repeated her plea. Cold metal from a laser pressed against her temple. “Do you have any rank in this nation?” he growled, as he pressed the laser against her skin. “No…my lord.” Meah relaxed her body under his grip, and lowered her head to look at the ground. “Do you address the first commander of the Gothman army by his first name?”
