Unholy - Andley (AU)

1

The count sat back in his large Blackwood throne at the head of the long dining table. No other chairs lined along the sides, nor was there another throne facing his at the opposite end of the table.

A luxurious spread of food was set before him over the black table cloth, but he hadn't touched it. The lord just sat, clothed in jet black garments worth at least forty servants a piece, the only skin visible being his neck, face and hands.

The white porcelain flesh stood out against the dark surroundings, framed delicately by long black hair, thick and well groomed.

A selection of black and chrome rings locked themselves around his long white fingers as they drummed repeatedly upon his knee. The same black metal decorated his ears, both shell and lobe, but were hidden beneath the ebony locks.

If someone weren't to know the count's personality, they would've described him as beautiful, as delicate and vulnerable looking. Actually, even those who were aware of his vindictive, disgusting nature would find themselves watching him curiously, admiring the pronounced bone structure, youthful, narrow face, perfectly shaped eyebrows and even the plump pink lips of the man who they were sure they despised so greatly.

After several minutes of the count just sitting and staring intently into the food with his icy blue eyes, he stood up to his full impressive height rather suddenly, and left the room. The food that had been prepared with such attention and care remained without having been touched once, however the servants who were barely given a slice of bread a day to survive on were forbidden to eat the count's leftovers. Very reluctantly, they had to watch as the perfectly edible food was thrown onto the waste pile in the servants courtyard. This would be cleared away every Sunday.

Of course they couldn't stay and think wishfully about the life that would never be theirs, they had many jobs to do, and today was especially busy. Three servants and four townsfolk were being hung, by order of the count.

The count had a right to oversee any and all hangings going on in the town which he held control over.

Although the sheriff of the county held the most power, he had placed several lords and counts in charge of separate towns. Count Andrew Biersack was given control over the largest town, Kyrax, as he was the wealthiest. The sheriff owned the large city.

However, sir Biersack was not a kind hearted lord, or good natured sheriff who would be lenient with his people. Quite the opposite.

He had control over the town guard, and therefore had a say in executions, of which there were many. Hangings, burning at the steak, beheadings, and hot tar pits were the most common, but the horrors didn't subside there. Extreme torture was present in the dungeons, even when the convicted person had nothing to admit to. Sometimes the torture would be atop the castle walls which overlooked the town square for all to see.

Stocks, bear cages, fed to the dogs, dunking stools, drowning and flogging were Count Andrew's favourite form of "public exampling". He could call for any of these whenever the sick fancy took him.

He also had a great like of violent entertainment, such as people who wronged him being publicly forced to fight against starved bears, angry dogs and even each other. If another person was chosen to fight instead of an animal, usually it would be a member of the criminal's family, or a close friend.

The people of the town of Kyrax were miserable. The rations were kept to the ultimate minimum, never enough to satisfy the stomach. The taxes were higher than even the richest man would be able to pay, and the peasants who were too ill or sick to work were forced down into the mines, usually never to come back up.