The Burden of Destiny | Sequel to The Aura Within

31 | Raise Your Banner

The malicious smile on Darnic's face lingered as he looked down at the injured prisoner. He whipped out his handkerchief and proceeded to wipe the freshly-stained dagger, instantly staining the pure white cloth crimson. His amusement grew as he watched the bleeding prisoner wither in pain. Serves the fool right for defying him.

Darnic looked over at the other prisoners in the room. Seeing their terrified faces send a euphoric chill down his spine. There was nothing more satisfying than seeing the weaker tamed by the stronger. They knew that fighting back would lead to their death. What better way to keep the torment going in an endless cycle. He would have to personally thank Claudius for leaving him in charge of this castle.

Although, he wouldn't mind inflicting torment upon the fallen queen herself. Unfortunately, he was given strict orders to not lay a single hand on her. Claudius wanted her alive for something big. Darnic hoped for a public execution, but that was simply wishful thinking.

The prisoner he injured finally stopped moving. He became nothing more than a fresh corpse to throw into the pyre. Darnic motioned for one of his knights to gather the body and get it out of his sight. As soon as they were out of the room, the general walked around the crowd of prisoners in search of his next defiant victim.

"I hope that this display has shown you all what happens when you cross the Obsidian Knights," he spoke authoritatively. "We are the New Rule, and as your New Rule, you must remember that rebellion of any form will not be tolerated."

Among the prisoners stood a senior knight. His face was still recovering from cuts and bruises inflicted on him by that sadistic general for interfering with his torture session with one of the castle's maids. People had watched him continuously beating her with an iron rod and did nothing about it. It was his duty as a knight of Rota to protect the innocent from people like him. That's why he shielded the maid from his wrath and took the beating himself.

The people around him were just like him: war prisoners. While he was almost positive that the rest of the prisoners wanted that man to die, he knew that they were too afraid to stand up against him. They'd rather have their lives intact than die fighting back, but not him. A knight would always remain loyal to their true ruler.

They live to fight for Her Highness, not the Imperial King.

"Now then, if there is anyone who wishes to object this standing, I order you to speak now." Darnic paused his pacing as his eyes scanned the crowd. "Rest assured, I will find out regardless of your honesty. When I do, I will not be merciful in your punishment."

"Is that so?"

"Roman, no!" the seamstress hissed.

From the sea of prisoners emerged the senior knight. Darnic recalled who this man was. How could he ever forget the face of those he punished? Roman, the once-mighty soldier of the Rota Knights, had been reduced to a mere prisoner, yet here he stood tall and unwavering. The soldiers at Darnic's side were ready to apprehend him until Darnic signaled them to halt. If anyone could handle this situation, it would be him and him alone.

Many of the prisoners looked at Roman incredulously. The last person that disobeyed Darnic ended up dead moments ago, yet he was willing to stand his ground against him. How could someone be both brave and foolish at once?

"Hmph!" Darnic snickered. "It appears we have a martyr. A worthy one might I add!"

The room went completely silent. Roman had witnessed many misdeeds during his time livelihood as a knight. However, he always raised above it and prospered. While the odds may not seem in his favor, he refused to grovel at the feet of a power-hungry monster.