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SHEIDHEDA SENT OUT a warranty for John's and Emori's heads. They approached the guards on their own free will out of nowhere, but they weren't questioned why they had their hands up in the air and approached with nothing but clothing on their bodies. They must've known Falo lost to Sheidheda before it even happened when she was getting murked.
Now, they were on their knees in the palace to Sheidheda's pleasure. They were definitely saying what he wanted to hear. Falo cocked an eyebrow. She did wonder where the Sanctum residents were as of right now, where they were hiding. Wherever it was, Madi would be there. She hoped it would forever be safe.
"Of course, we'll kneel. Was there ever even a question?" Murphy asked Sheidheda in something that wasn't really genuine. They had a plan, they were playing it well.
A follower of Sheidheda's dropped bags on the ground.
John observed the fabric. It was bags to put over heads when someone was going to execute you. John frowned, "Why do I get the feeling this is goodbye?" they got on their feet.
Sheidheda sprawled his arms out in the open space around him. "The palace is mine now. So is the farmhouse. For you, that-" he began to list off what he controlled for he wanted to see what they would control. Falo stared them down.
Emori cut him off. "We'll take the machine shop." she spoke rather eagerly. They gave her looks of suspicion.
John rolled his eyes back. "You need a mechanic to run the reactor," he turned to his lover, hand facing her. "She's your girl. Besides, you wouldn't want your favorite chess partner to live in a tent, would you?" he asked.
"Fine. Go," he shooed them away. They quickly collected themselves and ran to the door to leave. "Who's next?"
Sheidheda's followers told him the Children of Gabriel and the convicts were next on the stubborn list. Falo watched as Emori spoke to Nelson, and Nikki to John. Lost causes, both of them, she thought to herself. She didn't think they were going to kneel to Sheidheda. They would be slaughtered.
Once they stood in front of Sheidheda, he spoke to them to give a speech. "Convicts, Children of Gabriel, welcome to the new Sanctum. Things have changed quickly, but the future is full of promise, and to reap the benefits of this bright, new day, I ask only you take a knee to show your loyalty, a simple gesture that binds you to a contract with a single rule — if at any time you do anything that I deem disloyal, you die." he hissed.
Nikki spared a glance to Nelson. Seemed like quite the deal to Nikki. But she wanted more off that. "And if we refuse?" she genuinely asked.
