Lord Sagi rode into the Capital, like a man on a mission. He ignored the walls of steel and iron that protected the city of commerce. He ignored the harsh, blood red of the flags posted on either side of the main rode, which led to the town square. He also ignored the torches in the dark night that belonged to excited citizens.
Sagi did not stop his horse until he had ridden up to the wooden, slate platform that marked the direct center of the Capital. The platform was home to all method of punishment for criminals.
A gallows stood, stained with dried blood and urine that nobody seemed to notice anymore. Along with the gallows, lay a chopping block, suited for decapitation. The block was in a worse state than the gallows but it was a common sight. The third method of punishment was in the midst of preparation. A coal burning stove stood, hot with the fire that would heat up the brand. The long metal iron, with the large cursive “R” on the edge of it, was resting in the heat.
The crowd surrounding the platform fell quiet when Lord Sagi made his entrance, everyone in the land knew who the man was. The Lord dropped down from his horse and walked onto the platform to begin the sentencing. The moment he arrived, two large, heavily armored guards, as well as Habberforth, brought a struggling Antony out onto the platform.
Following them, came the man that most in Arodesa revered, with a healthy dose of fear. Everyone watched, with baited breath, as the The Inquisitor walked up to the prisoner in question. The man was tall, thin and sported a long, greying beard. His dark purple, silk robes billowed around him in the warm wind as he walked. The man turned to face the crowd, though he addressed the prisoner. He spoke in a cold, commanding voice which did not match his fragile appearance in the slightest.
“Former handler, from the house of Habberforth, also called Antony, you have been charged with the theft, by way of defiling a Flower. In this way you have stolen from both, Lord Sagi and your former employer. How do you plead?”
Antony lifted his chin in proud defiance, knowing the question was simply a formality.
“I only did what the little whore wanted,” the man spat out.
Sagi took a menacing step forward at Antony’s words but he was kept at bay when The Inquisitor placed a wrinkled hand on his shoulder.
Antony smiled. If he was going to suffer then he, sure as hell, wanted to make the lord to suffer right along with him.
“As you have admitted to your guilt,” The Inquisitor spoke again, “The following punishment has been requested by both Lord Sagi and Sir Habberforth.”
The older man returned his gaze to the eyes of the crowd, the torches they held making his eyes sparkle in the dark.
“No one is to give this man food, shelter, or employment. He is now an outcast of society and will be branded with the sign of a rapist.”
“No! Stop! You can’t do this!”
Murmurs arose across the sea of faces at the sound of a female voice that had cut through the silence.
Moments later, a women with raven hair and a curvy figure pushed through the people around her. She had the same dark hair and olive coloring as the criminal on the platform. Her large breasts were barely concealed by a sheer, green tunic, belted around her waist in gold. Her outfit provided little to the imagination but it was her protest that attracted everyone’s attention.
People did not say no to The Inquisitor.
At her words, Antony’s face had become pale. A reaction that did not go unnoticed by Lord Sagi.
“Please!” She begged, finally arriving at the front of the platform. “He couldn’t have done what you said. He doesn’t even like men! He’s in love with me!”
“And you are?” The Inquisitor asked.
Habberforth took this as an opportunity to gain himself attention.
“You have the pleasure of speaking with Antony’s sister, my lord,” the man spoke, a smirk playing about his lips. “Her name is Gwen.”
The older man’s eyes widened, “He loves you?” He asked the girl.
“Don’t say another word!” Antony growled out in terror, knowing the penalty for incest.
Sagi slapped Antony across the face for daring to speak before addressing Antony’s supporter.
“I assure you, Gwen, I would not punish someone who did not deserve it.”
The woman stopped and stared at the handsome Lord, completely wrapped up in his smoldering gaze. She felt herself getting wet the longer she looked into his eyes.
“I... but he couldn’t have,” she tried weakly, still caught in Lord Sagi’s gaze.
“He did,” Sagi spoke, his tone insinuating that all discussion on the matter had ended.
“Do you have someone to take care of you?” the lord asked, seeing a possible opportunity to hurt Antony, one last time.
“N-no m’lord. My brother took care of me and I... I took care of him,” she blushed, having the grace to look embarrassed.
“Work for my house Gwen,” he offered to her.
“No, Gwenny!” Antony interrupted. “Everything is going to be fine. When this is over, people will eventually forget about it! I’ll still take care of you.”
“Young man,” The Inquisitor interrupted, “You have obviously committed an additional crime. One which is not so easily forgotten. Do not make promises that you can’t keep.”
He turned to Gwen, “I would take Lord Sagi’s offer if I were you. You are lucky to have been offered protection.”
She nodded, meekly, and moved to stand at Lord Sagi’s side, turning her gaze to the ground. Gwen may have been relying on her own sense of self preservation but that did not quiet the sadness she felt. First, over the idea of leaving her brother. Second, because she knew she would have to witness his punishment.
