Some sneered, some cheered, some cried. But all watched as the bound figure walked up the wooden stairs to the hangman?s noose.
It was not common to see such a spectacle in the plaza. It was rare enough for the demigods to amass in such a way publicly, let alone for their faces to be of such mixed emotions. So too was it rare for great guilds to amass in such numbers when not in times of war. On one side of the crowd, The Guild Knights were severely weakened in numbers as their former kinsmen stood among their Dragon Council masters. Their duties of espionage complete, the spies were now free to walk openly to the guild they were truly loyal to. Opposite to the Guild Knights, the Dragons stood with smiles of satisfaction on their faces. Satisfaction with the coming fruit of their work in the shadows.
?Quiet, everyone!? said the demigod Retse. His voice was booming and overpowering. With the power Talad granted him, he silenced those who would not end their chatter, distinguishing not between pleas of mercy or bursts of pleasure.
He turned back to the guarded Dermorian prisoner who was now at the height of the gallows with the noose firmly about his gilled neck.
?Shalmaneser! Your crimes have been determined in the closed court of the Gods! In your denials, thou hast admitted your guilt! Speak now, and perhaps the servants of Talad will show you mercy!?
Unarmed and in chains, Shalmaneser stood before the gathered crowd. ?Oh, so now Shal shal speak?? he said, half laughing his pleasure with the pun. His clothes were stained with blood of many colours, the markings that not just a few citizens of Hydlaa recognized him by. However, it seemed that this time, his own blood outperformed those faded stains left by past prey on the stage of his fabric. His capture must not have been a willing one.
?Isn?t speaking my mind what got me into this trouble, old friend? Then fine. I will entertain you as I have entertained you before.?
He coughed deep in his throat as blood was freed at one side of his mouth. Some in the crowd noticed the bleeding as well as the blackening of his eyes, arousing both cries and cheers which were met with further mutes by the demigods.
?Know this. While this face has been a plague to some of you, I have only been the greatest friend and patron to others. To some, I have been your stepping stone to fame and good fortune, whether through friendship or betrayal. In supposed absence, my name was cursed and praised, yet I was all the angel near you listening under another name. And if you think I have not been of influence or action, know that ??
?ENOUGH of his stalling! As foretold, he has said NOTHING that would bring him mercy.? The robed figure of a Diaboli spoke in stern language from his company among the demigods.
?Just one more thing then,? Shalmaneser said, turning to the Diaboli?s masked features. ?Your mother was a really good lay. I mean, wow, it was like-?
And with that, the prisoner fell through the floor of the gallows, noose firmly about his neck.
But the rope snapped, weakened perhaps by some secret intervention. And the ground became intangible, the brick far under his feet replaced with an illusion by some work of magic. And he fell through the floor of the gallows, through the grasp of his chains, through the stone of the plaza, through and through and through?
