Espex The Demon Mage. (1)

Chapter 27: Grand Hall.

The three boys walked slowly through the cold, snow covered woods as they approached the village Dypes spoke out.

"Remember we don't talk to anyone about what we do in these woods."

Espex and Haya just nodded and continued to walk forward. The sun was slowly setting and the air was getting bitter. As they got closer to the village a group of four men walked through the snow to meet the three boys. The people approaching were very known to the boys it was the village guards. Each a powerful man in their own rights. They all wore the same attire a large blue robe that covered their entire muscled bodies. Each man as strong as an Ox and as fast as an eagle. Of the three men the middle one stop and pulled up his hand pointing to the boys.

"Halt," The boys did as they were told. "Dypes, Espex and Haya you three boys will come with us at once to the great church." His voice low and commanding. He was the head of the guard, his name was Treth. The boys did not fight these orders nor did they answer back they simply followed the three guards towards the great church in the middle of the town. Approaching closer to the bold doors of the church Espex and Dypes saw their gran Fure. She stood with a saddened frown on her face. She opened the door to the great hall, inside all the main people of the town stood in a circle. At the very back on a chair was the village leader. She sat on a large wooden chair engraved with many weapons all around it. She had long brown hair that went to her lower back and large red lips. She was a beautiful woman apart from the ugly scar that crossed her face. It started from her left cheek and ended on her right eye brow. She was leader because she was the strongest. The three boys were lead into the middle of the people to be surrounded at all sides.

"Do you know why you have been called here?" The great leader Ashra said. They all stood quite, for they did not know why they were summoned to meet the leader. "Well I will tell you. You have been using magic." All three boys' eyes shot up in surprise and guilt. Yet not a word was said between the three. "We have known for a while now. You three smell of mana manipulation." Ashras voice becoming venomous. "You know the rules, you must be punished!"

Fure stepped forward bowing her old head. "Please Lord, they are but children they know no better. Have mercy."

"Silence old hag or I will silence it for you!" A shift and brutal answer given by Ashra. Fure just sank back into the crowd.

"What evidence do you have we used magic?" Dypes asked.

Ashra looked at Dypes with cold brown eyes. "We followed you fool." Hollowness filled the boy's stomachs.

"Are we to be exiled then? Lord?" Said Dypes once more stuttering with nerves.

"No, you will be punished far worse than that. The last lord was weak and kind I am not." Ashra stood up from her chair. Her figure was perfect; one would think she was a model rather than a fighter. She walked closer to the boys. Dypes looked at Espex and Haya and gave them a nod. All three clasped their fists in readiness for anything that would come. "You Dypes though being the weakest of the three are clearly the most intelligent. Haya you the fastest warrior in generations and Espex a demon in human skin." She spoke casually but the boys could feel the insults within. "Your punishment shall be this. I am going to kill you personally." The crowd all looked at her with large eyes of surprise and pity for the boys. The lord's word was law no one could go against it. Fure tried to lunge forward but was held back by others. "This service I do is because you three are the greatest we have seen in an age. To die by my hands your lord is the highest honour." Ashra got a few meters away from the boys and readied herself for combat. "Come at me. You may fight three on one."