Life or Death (Part 2), Scene v1

A sea of spectators covered Salia Square just a few hours after dawn. Everyone surrounded the erected wooden platform that sat toward the rear of the square, even parents with their children. Salia stood tall behind the platform, twice the height of a normal person, also watching with her stone eyes. Even several Kival gathered excitedly, though perhaps they did not know the person today would be one of their kin.

Kismet peered out at the event from an alleyway to the side, hidden under a large cloak. From the street behind the platform came a small escort. In the middle was Isella. Her body had become so weak that she had to be dragged. The obscenities and curses roared from the crowd as they bound her arms to two wooden poles to keep her standing. Parents spat insults for their abducted children, and farmers for their stolen crops.

It hurt the Catheran that the young Kival would be executed. She didn’t seem to her to be deserving of death. Isella’s eyes wandered weakly over the crowd, looking as though she’d lose consciousness at any moment. The noise died down as General Raze walked onto the platform in her ornate silver-plated leather. “Citizens of Rokan. With the recent activities of the Kival activists, many of us have lost provisions, wares, and even loved ones. However, that is not all we have lost. We have lost our sense of security. It is because of the Kival activists that we fear for our trade, our crops, and our children. But we must remember, many of our friends—our family—are Kival, and they must not be blamed for the wrongdoings of the activists.”

Kismet scanned over the crowd, worried that Lucas may be watching. Although it would be more surprising to her if he weren’t there. “Many of us in this very square, have lived and laughed with, or even loved someone of Kival blood, and we must remember that. The Kival are welcomed with open arms in the Rokan Empire, but only those who choose to live in peace with the rest of us. It is now that we will witness the consequences of those who choose bring harm to us citizens, and disturb our time of peace. Isella Kamiel, once a citizen of the Rokan Empire, has been found guilty of these crimes, by aiding in the organization of raids on our villages and caravans, as well as participating in the murder of military personnel. Let her be an example to all of us, and remind us of the consequences for treason against the Rokan Empire.”

She found him amidst the crowd toward the front. His trembling was obvious even from where she was standing. He looked around frantically as the General continued. “Isella Kamiel. Have you any last words?”

A dead silence filled the square, but no words came. Isella hardly seemed able to keep conscious, much less speak. Perhaps it was more fortunate for her to be in such a stupor.

“Very well. May the Great Goddess have mercy on your soul.” Raze stepped off the platform as two people shifted Isella to where Raze delivered her speech. Once she was in position, everyone cleared off the platform. Excited whispers filled the crowd while a man’s voice counted down. “Ten… nine… eight… seven… six…”

Lucas’ eyes widened, his face in a panic. He looked back and forth, as if direly searching for something he couldn’t find. “…Five… four… three…”

The whispers grew louder in anticipation. Everyone’s eyes widened, unblinking. Isella, remained dazed, seemingly unaware of what was about to happen. “…Two…”

A large crunching squish replaced the final count, silencing the square. Isella’s body went rigid with small spasms, before dangling lifelessly by the arms. Blood trailed from the poles of the three spears that impaled her torso in a triangle from the floor of the platform. The crowd roared from the adrenaline and began trickling back to their daily lives with satisfaction. Kismet watched Lucas run away from the stage, shoving his way through the sea of spectators. Sara ran after him, following him into an alleyway away from the square. Kismet rounded the building to go into the alley from the side.




First: Kismet vs. Bandits, Scene v1
Previous: Life or Death, Scene v1
Next: Life or Death (Part 3), Scene v1