Crumbled

The Face of The Law

Bramstone's eyes were wider than Walz had ever seen them. Kei's mouth twisted into a horrofying smirk. Just looking at it made Walz uneasy.

       It was not his first run-in with the Commander. The last time, he'd barely escaped execution. According to the laws, no one besides Bramstone was allowed to kill Walz, but Kei was manic. He didn't follow the laws of the land, even though he was supposed to enforce them.

       Kei had always seemed a little unhinged to Walz, the gleam in his eyes was a bit too dark, the curl of his lip too sinister. It set Walz on edge every time. But, then again, it may have just been because of the torture he had endured under Kei's command.

       Walz watched Kei warily, expecting some sort of snark from his enemy, but instead heard laughter.

       "Honestly Bramstone, this is ridiculous. I've been tracking your boyfriend here across the entire kingdom, knowing he was the spy we were looking for, but now, I find him here with you!" Kei laughed, a sound that made Walz's blood run cold.

       "What message shall I give the king when I come back with his own son as my prisoner? That he's raised a petty criminal capable of treason?"

       The boy spat onto the ground between Bramstone's feet. Walz glanced at his friend's face, seeing the angry red blotches that lined his cheeks. This was the final straw for Walz.

       "Look you power-drunk bastard, you better get out of here before your Prince orders your execution! The utter disrespect you have shown to your district's leaders is unacceptable! You realize that Bramstone could strip you of your title faster than the blink of an eye. So you better step of your high horse, and shut up!" He piped, grabbing Kei's collar, and pushing him into a tree.

       Bramstone stood behind the two boys, feeling a mix of emotions, mostly fury. How dare Kei insult him like that! Does he not know who he is! He fumed silently. Bram knew he should stop Walz from harming the only cheif of law in Tisha, but he didn't really want to. Especially since he had just been spat at.

       "-lock you in the dungeons, you overgrown miscreant! Get your grubby hands off me!" Kei screamed, punching and clawing at Walz. Kei twisted from Walz's grasp. This action surprised both of the other boys.

        Kei wrenched Walz's sword from the tree, and turned it to the others. Bramstone immediatley dropped his bag, but Walz did nothing.

        "Drop your bags, and surrender, both of you!" Kei pointed the sword towards Walz's chest.

   "I said drop your bags," the shorter boy repeated, leveling the point of the sword at Walz's heart.

    "You'll never be able to kill me. It'll tear your underdeveloped soul apart, and mulch you up from the inside," Walz replied, ice in his voice.

       "Walz, you idiot, stop this madness! Need I remind you of the last time your arrogance got the best of you?" Bramstone whispered, shoving his hands into his pockets.

        "Bram, bring that up again, and I'll strangle you!" Walz retorted, turning towards his friend.

        "I'll do worse if you don't drop your bag right now!" Kei yelled, digging the point of the sword into Walz's side, right between his ribs.

       "Idiot, now you've done it, turn back around!" Bram hissed, shoving his friend to the side.

       Walz hit the dirt like a rock, and he scrambled away. Kei turned towards Bram, his eyes flashing dangerously. Bramstone punched him square in the jaw, and Kei dropped to his knees.

      Bram spit in the Commander's face. Kei attempted to wipe it off with his hands, but found he was unable.

       "Kept my bag on me for a reason, commander," Walz said, tying another knot into the rope around Kei's wrists. When he was done, he gave Kei a swift kick behind his knees. The boy collapsed again.

       "And that was for the dungeons," Walz said.