Damien and I stand off to the side of it as the rest of the guards drag the rebels up the stairs. The guard who seems to have taken charge, steps to the front, commanding the crowd’s attention.
“These are the faces of the traitors who attacked the Training Sector. These are the individuals who killed your sons and daughters!”
Outbursts of cries scatter throughout the growing crowd.
They’re falling for it. They really believe that what he’s saying is true and that these people are responsible for the attack.
I want to run onto the stage and tell them it was the king who ordered the attack, but I know they won’t listen to me. To them, I’m just some girl playing dress-up in their clothes. My word is nothing compared to the man in the Royal Guard uniform.
“Your king will protect you from these terrorists! They won’t get away with this treachery.”
Disgust seeps from me as the mob of Nazrelians cheer in response. The few of them who seem to disagree are hidden within the sea of anger.
The six rebels still on the stage begin to convulse violently. They look like fish flopping around, gasping for air. Blood starts to slowly drip from their eyes, ears, and noses while foam seeps from their mouths. Eventually, they all fall still.
“It is done!” The Royal Guard claps his hands once. “I urge anyone who knows more information to come forward. This is your home. These are your children. It is your duty to protect the Great Six Realms.”
Damien pulls me away, back into the tree line where Cylas is waiting with another vial. As the mist explodes around us, I can still hear the faint sound of chants coming from the heart of the realm.
Chapter 4
When Slader is thrown back into his cell, Kane and I are already waiting to bombard him with questions. It’s been four days since the executions and when I got back, he had already been pulled from his cage.
“What happened?”
“Did you see them?”
The questions come out at the same time, and Slader already looks annoyed at being immediately hounded for information.
“Jeez, can’t a Night Renderer get settled first?”
His dark sarcasm doesn’t mask the fact that he looks completely drained. The arrogant demeanor he usually wears has been replaced by exhaustion. I might actually feel sorry for him if he hadn’t alreadyused his powers to torture me.
“Yes, I saw them.” Kane and I glance at each other, but bite back our next questions. “It took until today to finally break one of them.”
“What did they say?” The question comes flying out of my mouth before I can stop it.
Slader takes a seat on the ground, leaning his head against one of the bars.
“He gave up the name of the man who has been organizing the different rebel groups in each realm.” He tosses a pebble at the wall across from him, and it rolls back. “I gotta give it to him, though. He held on for longer than I thought he would.”
“What about the others?” Kane asks.
“They’re dead. Once King Cimmerian got the name of the leader, he didn’t need the others.”
“And the one who gave up the name?”
“Lost to madness. I’m sure he’ll be fed to the wolves later tonight.”
For a moment I think he’s joking, but when he lifts his head, I realize from his expression that he’s not.
“So, what do you think is going to happen next?” I direct the question to Kane, who is probably more familiar with how the king operates.
“If I had to guess, he’ll send a team to retrieve the leader and hold a public execution.”
I let out a deep sigh and lay back, resting my head on my arm. Without a leader, the rebellion will fall apart. It’s already losing numbers each day, and with the king pinning the Sector attack on the rebels, the momentum has greatly shifted in his favor. I’m sure it won’t be long until the rebellion is all but a memory and the hope of a better future is nothing more than a distant dream.
The field where the Festival of Nightfall was held is now filled with people. I can tell from the different attire that there are visitors from every realm. I’m sure they were invited here to witness the execution for themselves so that they can go back to their homes and spread word of what happened.
