Era of Ezri

Stampede

I felt a series of small explosions inside my chest, subconsciously I raised my hand to my heart where my fingers picked up on this erratic thrumming that was anything but human but still felt like a part of me.

Me and Blaze continued to share our moment until a man who'd previously stood amongst the line of individuals behind him approached, tapping his shoulder to gain his attention.

The lanky figure was wearing a long black coat like the rest of the group he'd been standing with and although I'm sure my eyesight had been enhanced, courtesy of the mad scientist, I couldn't make out the hooded man's face.

My ears picked up on a strange noise I could hear over the quiet fussing of the Glorians in the Square, it appeared it was too subtle for anybody else to detect but I could sense it was close and I didn't have to wait very long to find the source of chains clinking. 

Two burly men came charging out of the room below the stage, dragging an unconscious man wearing a black bag over his head and heavy handcuffs, he was also lacking clothes apart from a pair of tight black shorts and describing him as malnourished would've been an understatement.

The long chains attached to the man's wrists and ankles continued to rattle as they trailed along the hard ground until he was yanked up the stairs and dropped by Blaze's feet.

Now he was closer, I could see an array of purple and black blotches colouring the man's skin as well as a series of deep cuts, there was no doubt this was the prisoner who was about to be executed.

There was a clearing of a throat and everyone's attention was drawn to Blaze as he stood leaning on his staff, prepared to address the audience. 

"Good morning again Gloria Bridge, I know it's been a while since I've spoken to you and I'm glad to see most of you look healthy and well.

However, today I'm not here to indulge in conversation, instead, I have summoned you to witness the execution of a man who has attempted to infiltrate our security and destroy our community.

The man you see before you, who previously went by the name Morris, is in actuality a spy sent by one of the other factions. But with a little persuasion, he admitted his real name is Salvador.

This man who you see before you will be sentenced to death..... and the crimes and charges against him, you might ask? Theft, assault against an officer, murder in the first degree and last but not least, espionage." Blaze turned his nose up in disgust as he looked down at the prisoner before not so lightly kicking him to wake him from his slumber.

"It's clear," Blaze chuckled "it's clear this man was sent by our neighbours to steal information, weaken our defences and then invade our faction." Blaze spits with venom.

"Not only has he murdered Lawrence Allard of the Creators who was a nobleman of this faction but he attempted to steal documents with information detailing our battle strategies along with the number of Glorians residing here in Gloria Bridge, crimes that surely enough would've led to our demise if he hadn't been caught."

Blaze looked out at the huge crowd of people spread before him, examining the faces of everyone here as though he was speaking to us all individually.

"I'm sure everyone here is aware of the punishment for committing four or more crimes."

Silence.

Harshly, Blaze cracked his staff against the wooden stage.

"Well?"

"Death." Everyone responded in chorus.

"That's right." Blaze boomed, a small smile causing the corners of his lips to lift.