Fire and Ice

Clean Cut

>Third Person continued<

The princess was shocked at this notion.
Was she really going to have to see another person die right in front of her?

She looked around at the faces in the crowds. None were shocked.
These men had already been to many gathering such as this. They were merciless dictators, already having lost there sympathy long ago.
This was expected. Lord Gray only associated with the strong and not the sensitive. Being a king, he had no time for relations and emotions in a kingdom of Ice.

His sons were also not surprised at the activities being proposed out here in the royal gallows. It was to be expected.
Wendy had killed their mother, they figured something like this was to occur; nothing less.

The Ice kingdom's royals all held the same expression.
Cold and still.

"Ms. Marvell has acted against the kingdom and its laws. Punishment set for the maiden is a hanging. Her acts leading to this was the exercise of authority on a colony that was not under her rule. The supplies, in this colony, owned by the kingdom under Lord Gray were stolen and used by her inappropriately. Ms. Marvell used the colonist men to sneak into the castle and kidnap the Queen, Lady Juvia.
Her illegal attempts have lead her to be thrown in prison and only to be pulled out and stand in front of you today, noose around her neck."
The older gentleman informed the crowds.

It was then the audience's attention was brought to the edge of the wooden stadium.
There stood Wendy, dirty and tied up. Guards were at either side of her, pressing her forward until she was on the stage.
Behind her was the executor. They wore a black rob and mask. Face covered only to hide the identity of the person completing the grim reaper's work.

"Any objections to the punishment to be afflicted onto Ms. Wendy Grandeeney Marvell must speak up now."

>Storm's POV<

The cold was finally getting to me.
Being out here made me uneasy.

By the time Nashi walked in, the execution began. The same spectators attended once again just like every time we gathered here.

While Sir. Tanaka spoke to the people gathered, I looked over to Princess Nashi.

She was shocked, almost discussed at the words he was saying. Her eyes were wide as she focused on Sir. Tanaka.
I guess she has never been to one of these before.

My focus was then taken off Nashi and given to Rin.
He had already been looking at me, which caught my attention the most. He looked to Wendy, then back to me. It was clear he disapproved of what was happening.

What could I do?
My father wasn't going to stop it, even if I told him to.

My step-brothers gaze went back to the stage, holding a stern expression.
I did the same.

I did understand how he felt though.
This didn't feel right to me either.
It almost seemed...wrong.

But she deserves it!
She committed the crimes that put her here.
It isn't my fault she was here today, standing to be judged.

Then...what's wrong?
I can't itch the feeling away.
It made me uncomfortable to even sit and watch.

"Any objections to the punishment to be afflicted onto Ms. Wendy Grandeeney Marvell must speak up now." Sir. Tanaka boomed to the crowd.

The stadium was silent.
No one dared to say anything.
Not even Wendy spoke.

Her face was still, frozen in a state of fear. Wendy's head was heavy, dropping low in hopelessness.

"Then the sentence will be followed through."

That's when I heard it.

Go

Without thinking I leaped out of the stands and out into the snow.
Quickly pulling out one of the swords on a soldier's belt sheath I raced onto the stage.

The lever to drop the floor under Wendy was pulled but to no success.

Pacing across the stage, I was able to cut the rope before it squeezed around Wendy's neck.

The bluette landed away from the hole, crumble down onto the icy wood.

A murmur in the audience was heard but ignored by me in the moment.

Wendy peered up at me in shock and fear. She still remained silent, not a word leaving her lips.
The scared maiden's eyes began to fill with tears. Still looking confused, she humbly sniffles into her hands in gratitude.

But I wasn't finished yet.

I stepped over to the maiden and clenched the rope still looped on her in my hand.
Wendy's face then turned to terror, thinking of the real reason why I stopped her hanging.

She turned away from me, still kneeling, and lifted her hair. This exposed her bare neck.
Wendy knew what need to be done.
Her fate would not be sealed but rope... but by sword.

I lifted the weapon I had in my hand and moved it into the right position.
In the sword blade I saw the reflection of a prince, with blue eyes and dark raven-black hair. His eyes held the look of darkness and pain.
But this is what I saw.
Not who I am.

With one clean cut....blue hair met with snow.