Ashborn knew he could not dodge in time, his only option was to attack, he tried to release another wave of ash but nothing came out.
I'm out of blood essence, he thought with panic. Just as he was thinking about a solution Shade jumped out of the shadows. He hit Tiger mid air towards the large cloud of ash.
He used his body as a foothold to jump towards Ashborn, this move pushed Tiger even further into the ash. Ashborn sighed with relief.
Thanks big guy, thought I was gonna die there for a second. They heard screams in the ash cloud. Tigers men who were still alive paled.
Within a few seconds Tiger ran out of the ash. His entire body was covered with burn marks, his skin had dark spots that were turning to Ash.
His eyes red with anger, he roared to the sky and ran towards Ashborn like a mad beast. He was slower,much slower than before, his movements were sluggish and pain was visible in his eyes.
Ashborn grinned, what happened to you? You look like an old corpse, Oh wait, could it be how you naturally look? I wouldn't be surprised considering how old you are.
Ashborn mocked, normally Tiger would not mind the insults but it seems the pain was driving him mad, he ran at him and tried to stab him in the chest but Ashborn just sidestepped and plunged his dagger into Tiger chest.
The place got quiet, Tigers body slowly dropped to the ground. Ashborn kneeled next to him, fatigue visible in his eyes, running out of blood essence was not fun, you wanted to know my name?, he asked with a heavy breath.Although you failed to defeat me I'll still tell you so you'll know who ended your pathetic life even in the underworld.
My name is Ashborn. Ash..born? Tiger asked with his dying voice, I remember...I remember that name, you're her child. Hahaha hahaha cough cough, he coughed blood mid laughter. What so funny?
To think even in death that bitch still managed to cause me so much trouble. He turned and looked at Ashborn, I should've killed you the day she died.
You should've but regret won't change anything now will it?. You will die like a rat Tiger, by the hands of the woman you hate, I hope you rot in hell. Ashborn said as he plunged his dagger into Tigers throat.
Having dealt with this threat he felt relief flood his body, for the first time in a while he relaxed, truly relaxed. Without the threat of Tigers claws hovering over his throat he didn't have anything to worry about.
He looked around and noticed more people were surrounding them now. Is he dead, is he truly dead? He could hear their whispers and the relief in their voices.
He saw Thea and Anitta in the crowd, Anitta was crying while Thea had a smile on her face. Ah yes, I still have to deal with something.
He saw Stick trying to sneak away along with a lot of Tigers men. If you move one more step I'll kill you, he said in a cold voice. If it wasn't for this fools interference he would not have been in danger.
Well he might not have been able to kill Tiger either so his interference was kind of helpful in a way but that meant nothing, he was going to make him pay for all he did in the past.
They were gathered at the town centre, all the towns people were here. He was sitting in a very large chair with red cushions and gold linings, he believed this was the famous kings throne, he found it in Tigers room. A group of men were kneeling before him with Anitta and Thea standing on his right and left side respectively, they were Tigers men, those who remained atleast.
Please sir, we didn't want to do any of those things, Tiger forced us, we had no choise. Liar, shouted the town people hearing the mans plea.
Anitta had suggested holding the men to trial, the towns people would be the one to judge, this would give them closure for all the suffering they had at these mens hands.
Alright, as by the new laws compiled by the new lord, you will be hold to trial, the people will be the ones to judge, your punishment will be determined by the severity of your crimes
He noticed some of the men pale, you, come forward. She pointed at one of the men. Is there anybody in the crowd with grievances against this man? Asked Anitta.
He had designated the role to her, not because he found it troublesome or something, no ofcourse not, he was the Lord, it was unbefitting for him to take such roles, yes that it.
A couple came out of the crowd,they looked to be around 40 years old, what crime did this man commit against you. He he.. stuttered the woman as tears were streaming down her eyes.
She couldn't finish her sentence so her husband took over with, rage noticeable in his voice. He alongside others came into our house and forced themselves on our 15 year daughter before they brutally murdered her.
Ashborn felt disgust rise in his throat, he frowned. You said there were others with him? Point them out,said Anitta in a calm professional voice but others could tell she was fuming inside.
Ashborn wasn't saint nor would he call himself a hero but even he had things he couldn't tolerate and this was one of them. The couple pointed 5 other men whose faces became as pale as corpses.
Stand up and come forward. They did as she ordered. My lord please, this is slander, we did no such thing, they are framing us, one of the men said with tears but even Ashborn could tell he was lying.
Is there anybody who has grievances with these men? Multiple people came forward each recounting the cruel things they had suffered in their hands.
Most had a similar story to the couple, there were a even few women who had first hand experience at being their victims who were not killed but made to live with that trauma.
The more the people talked the angry Ashborn got and the paler the mens faces became. Even Thea was frowning, disgust visible in her eyes.
What the lords verdict? Asked Anitta, he had informed her of his ambition to rule and create a place not lesser than those big cities he had heard about.
She thought if he intended to rule then they cannot address him by his name, ofcourse he objected to this so the decision was to call him lord in public and by his name when they were alone, this would make him more respectable to the people but it did have it downsides.
This would give the people the impression that he was far above them which would make connecting with them harder but it would also give his words more weight which he needed if he wanted to maintain order.
He raised his eyes and looked at the men infront of him, my verdict is death.