Flashback ( PDFDrive )

“Actually, I was thinking more about cutting off that ruby,” Keefe
told him, pointing to a large stone pierced through the skin on
Cadfael’s stomach, right above the dip of his spiked metal diaper. “I
could keep it with the jewel I sliced out of Dimitar’s ear when I beat
him at sparring. And I’d be doing you a favor, ’cause, dude, that is not a
good look.”
Bad idea to anger the scary ogre, Sophie transmitted.
See, and I think it sounds like a whole lot of fun, Keefe countered.
He didn’t even blink when Cadfael drew a dagger from a sheath
hidden in one of his bracers and said, “I bet Ro likes that smart mouth
of yours. So maybe I should cut out your tongue.”
Keefe smirked. “I’m pretty sure she’d thank you for that.”
“I would,” Ro agreed.
Cadfael gritted his teeth. “Then maybe I should gut him, so you
have to crawl home to Daddy—or your pathetic husband.”
“No gutting today,” Gethen cut in as Sophie’s stomach turned all
kinds of sour. “We have a different message to send.”
“And if you want your payment, I suggest you cooperate,” Vespera
added to Cadfael.
“Oh, so you are getting a treat!” Ro said, standing up and clapping
her hands. “Tell me, Cad—what’s the going rate for treason these
days?”
“Anything I want.” He sheathed his dagger and turned back to face
her. “That’s the beauty of setting my own rules. But have fun sulking
with your goblins.”
“Are we ready?” Ruy asked.
Vespera turned back to Sophie. “Since you have all started arming
yourselves, I expect you to empty your pockets before we go. Same