The Archman

Chapter 53 - An Astounding Spectacle

"Are you sure that's what's best?" Idris asks, skepticism and worry plaguing his words.

"Yes. And I want you both there as well." Eira replies with vicious clarity.

Glynis and Idris pause nervously, neither of them sure how to proceed.

"It's just...it's not a pleasant sight, and I know how much you cared for him." Glynis warns.

"It's not for me. I want you both to bear witness." Eira reaffirms her stance, both physically and rhetorically.

There is a light tapping on the door to the bedroom, followed by a servant entering with an inoffensive quietude. "Commodore Kinsley has requested that you prepare to leave now."

"Good." Eira responds. "Tell him my parents will be attending with us."

"Yes, ma'am." The servant nods politely and leaves as silently as he arrived.

~

The sun creeps behind the horizon, a profound darkness overtaking the sky and plunging the sprawling cityscape into the nighttime.

Kinsley, Eira, Idris, and Glynis all stand on the steps outside the monolithic city hall, facing out towards the street, where a large wooden structure has been erected. Typically used as a busy thoroughfare during the day, the street is large enough to accommodate hundreds of people, who gather around the wooden structure and wait in anticipation. There are dozens of torches lit all around the street, providing enough light to illuminate the wooden stage in place of the sun.

Eira looks to the center of the stage with a quiet stare, her eyes locked on the noose hanging from the center beam of the structure, a trapdoor located directly beneath. Her attention is pulled away from the stage as she feels something grazing along her hands.

Eira glances over at Kinsley, who is dressed in his full naval uniform for the occasion. He is trying to reach over and take her hand in his. She quickly jerks her hand away, denying him without hesitation.

Kinsley continues looking forward, a belligerent frown subtly contorting his brow downwards.

Idris and Glynis stand in front of Eira and Kinsley, looking at the morbid structure with a pensive awkwardness. They were still not clear on why Eira was so insistent on bringing them along, but were in no position to reject her wishes.

More and more people gather around the stage, adding further to the mob of individuals congregating in the street.

These were people from all walks of life, all coming from varying professions and lifestyles, but they were all united in their desire to spectate an act of plausibly justified violence. Many of them were carrying assorted items of trash and waste with them: half-eaten pieces of fruit, moldy loaves of bread, and other useless foodstuffs. Those without compostable items were carrying small handheld rocks or pieces of wood, fiddling with them back and forth in their hands, antsy to make use of them.

Everyone's attention starts to collectively direct itself down the street, as the main performer in this evening's show starts to arrive.

Adrulac is being escorted down the wide street by eight naval officers, four of whom are holding an assortment of chains and vices which bind his arms securely around his shirtless body. There has to be at least a ton of metal restricting him, what seems like an excessive amount at first, but given what Eira's seen him capable of, it is indeed a reasonable amount. The other four officers form a perimeter around Adrulac, clearing the way through the crowd towards the wooden stage.

The crowd of onlookers grows increasingly temperamental, directing all the anger and upset which had been troubling them these past few weeks at the subject before them. People start to throw their projectiles of choice at Adrulac with wavering accuracy, but the sheer amount of things being thrown means that a good amount still connect with their target.