Destroyer of Worlds

5

Perched on the top of a five-bar gate, the Libertarian watched the churning fur and feathers and the little black storm moving back across the grassland towards the distant campfires. 'Sometimes justice comes red in tooth and claw,' he mused wryly.

Manipulation sometimes involved big gestures, and sometimes only a little shove, particularly when one knew the subtle motivations, deepest fears and heartfelt hopes of a person, the kind only voiced to a lover in the dark. He was growing increasingly desperate as events moved towards the final reckoning without the clear outcome he required, but here he felt success.

Ruth knew he had guided the vile boyfriend to the woman purely so that the well-dressed thug could beat her until she bled. But the Libertarian knew Ruth would not blame him for that, oh no. Unconsciously, she would draw connections between Church and the Libertarian. She would know Church had passed on the knowledge of Scott and Rachel's relationship, had brought the two together so that sickening violence could ensue.

For if she believed that the seeds of the Libertarian were already in Church, it was only a small step backwards from the terrible, monstrous Libertarian arranging for a woman to be near-beaten to death to the current love of her life. What lurks in Church's mind? she wonders. He laughed. What hidden hatreds? What ability for abuse? What contempt and violence? Perhaps he doesn't even recognise it himself. But is it there, ticking away, ready to explode?

A small thing, the thin end of the wedge, perhaps, prising her apart from her love, pushing her towards Veitch — a simple man, but always a protector of women. And thereby pushing Church towards the Libertarian.

Yes, he thought, a fine outcome for a night's work.