A low murmur began to build among the thousands of citizens packed into the stone bleachers as Marcus's words echoed across the arena floor. People who had suffered under Governor Cassian's high taxes and brutal rule began to stand up, their collective anger finally bubbling over after years of oppression.
Citizen 1: He speaks the truth! The blacksmith saved the royal child!
Citizen 2: Down with Cassian! Down with the tyrant!
Governor Cassian: Silence the crowd! Use physical force if necessary!
Lady Serena: You cannot assault thousands of your own citizens, Cassian! Look around you, you have lost!
Governor Cassian: I have two hundred armed guards in this city! I have not lost anything to a child!
Leo: You have lost the loyalty of your men, Governor. Look at their eyes.
The Guard Captain slowly unbuckled his sword belt, letting his heavy broadsword drop to the stone floor with a loud, ringing clatter. One by one, the elite soldiers standing along the arena perimeter followed their captain's lead, disarming themselves in front of the stunned nobleman.
Governor Cassian: Treason! This is utter treason! Captain, pick up your blade!
Guard Captain: My oath was sworn to the true line of Aethelgard, not to a greedy usurper who starves the people.
Marcus: Let my son pass! Open the central gates!
Governor Cassian: Keep those gates locked! I will draw my own blade and finish this myself!
Lady Serena: You would murder an anointed king with your own hands?
Governor Cassian: I will do whatever it takes to retain my power!
Governor Cassian unsheathed his ornate, jewel-encrusted rapier and drew back his velvet cape, stepping past Lady Serena toward the grand stairs leading down into the dusty arena pit. Leo stood his ground, resting one hand on the white lion's neck while the beast growled, its white fur bristling with lethal intent.
Leave a Comment