The Pious Guard that lined his halls remained completely still, shadowed by the line of pillars on each side. One of the door guards called through the messaging pipes. The call carried to the receiving end at the training grounds. A networking of messaging pipes for every section of the castle, and then others for each sections sub-sections. The place was massive, largest in the Empire.
As he waited, going through slow precise motions, in the manner of black crane's dance. Spinning, his sword cutting through the air, balanced, like no other.
The solder who was called for would be here in no time. No one let the Emperor wait. Finished with his steps Seleroc sat on his heels. The floor was cold. The guards sat as well. A knock came, Seleroc nodded, and methodically a guard stood and opened the door. The solder stepped inside nervously, out of breath, it was his first time in the presence of his holiness, the first time inside the great hall. He bowed deeply, kneeling and touching his hands and head to the floor.
“Come toward me.” Seleroc said, with a calm and seeming soothing tone.
The boy, who had but a week left in basic training, was terrified now. He didn't want to show it. He breathed in deeply, to suppress the emotions, as he was taught. Seleroc nodded once again. The boy stopped, kneeling again, and prostrated himself before his leader.
“You will die today. I will slice both your arms off before honouring you with a decapitation. You better fight for your life.” Seleroc's voice was soothing, yet sinister. A smile crossed his lips. The boy was sweating, terror shown in his eyes. He could not ease his mind, he was too focused on that sword. Slowly rising, they drew weapons. Steel sounded against steel.
Feorick strode down the corridor toward Feladean's bureau. The payment for returning Seleroc's sword would not be enough for what he had witnessed a week prior.
He was still angered.
He closed his eyes again, involuntarily he remembered. After returning to his camp to find that Seleroc's men were not there, he turned toward Pelio's home to see smoke start rise in the sky. Feorick rushed back to the house. His mind was a blur with movement through the forest. He saw the family tied up together outside in front of their home, oil covered them. The men rode their horses around the family. Chilling laughter met the glow of a fire. All of horsemen held a torch above their head. He ran toward them in a bid to make them stop. He watched as the torchs met the oiled kindling. The flames quickly spread. The screams of the children, and Pelio's wife tore through Feorick's ears. He could make out Pelio's eyes distinctly looking in his direction. He didn't scream. He just stared at Feorick with fearful intent, unnaturally calm.
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