The men cried and begged but their pleas entered deaf ears, he paid them no mind. Shade who was laying infront of his chair stood up, he was the executioner.
Although the panther was one of the smallest four legged beasts he had met it still stood at 160 cm which is as tall as some grown adults.
His dark green eyes gazed at the accused with cold cruelty. Some of the men peed their pants, tears and snot filled their faces as they begged with all they have to no avail.
Excruciatingly slowly Shade opened his mouth and bit of the head of one of the men, he spat it out a second later, Ashborn could see the disgust in his savage eyes, I guess even he doesn't eat trash, he thought.
This seemed to not only shake the remaining men but even the towns people, fortunately he had ordered the kids to not be allowed to see this or they might be traumatized.
He could see some people in the crowd shaking, some grabbing the hands of their loved ones but he did falter, this world was cruel, if he was going to create a clan that rivals the old nobles he needed people with a strong heart and will.
He looked at his two companions, Thea did not seem shaken but Anitta was shaking a little, she noticed his look and steeled her heart.
Shade nolonger bit their heads, he cut them off with his large claws which were as sharp as the sharpest of blades. Six heads rolled in a few seconds.
The bodies were moved by a group of men amongst the towns people. Thea, why are there no women amongst those accused? Thea sighed.
I don't know if to call it fortunate or unfortunate for women but Tiger was... What the term for people who look down on women? She asked Anitta.
There isn't quite one, this world respect strength more than anything so it considered normal for men to look down on women, only women who are bloodline holders are respected in this world but I suppose sexist would suffice, but that just anybody who holds prejudice due to ones sex.
Yeah, so to Tiger, women would either only work in the kitchen like i did, be cleaners or become his plaything, none were actually in his inner circle.
Oh, I see, that stupid though, not everything needs physical strength, wouldn't one cripple their own organisation If they deny capable people opportunities simply because of their sex? But I suppose Tiger was a stupid man.
Your views are very idealistic, amongst bloodline holders that is true, sex does not matter only capabilities but unfortunately we are no different than ants to those people.
On our circle though, the world of normal people things are different. Men hold most of the power, even if a woman is more capable than a man in something she's unlikely to have it.
Like I said, this world respect strength the most, this is true for bloodline holders and normal people, the one with the biggest fist rules and unfortunately in most cases, that happens to be men, said Anitta.
And people with power are unlikely to willingly give it to others. I see, so I suppose the women were both unlucky and lucky. They suffered in the hands of Tiger and because of that they are not going to die today.
I guess you can say that, said Thea. The town people were loud so none heard their conversation. Okay call the next person, he raised his hand and the people quieted down.
The next person was called forward, his body was shaking uncontrollably. If you have grievances with this man please step forward, Anitta shouted.
A few seconds passed, nobody came forward. You don't have to fear, we promise you safety, if this man had ever harmed you, please step forward.
A few more seconds passed, then a group of people stepped forward. What crimes did this man commit against you? The group of people looked at each other with none saying a word.
Lady Anitta, spoke an old woman, I knew this boy since he was a little child, we did not come because he sinned against us but because he helped us.
He only joined the gang of these thugs because his family would be harmed otherwise, we only came to ask the Lord to show mercy.
As it was stated before grandmother, the severity of their crimes will determine their fate, the Lord is just and fair. She was really selling this lord idea, he thought with embarrassment.
What the lords verdict, she asked? For crimes against the people of this town, you have been found not guilty, happiness appeared on his face. However it is true that you served the tyrant regardless of your reasons, punishment is due.
The man paled, for this I sentence you to 10 years of service, you will work for 10 years to serve and better the lives of the people of this town, in the near future you will report to lady Anitta for your duties.
Thank you lord, thank you, the man said with tears before running off to a woman who was standing with two children, a boy and a girl, they all hugged and cried together.
There were over 40 men who stood trial. The next seven were executed, another was given a sentence of servitude, however unlike the first, his was for 30 years.
Half of that time will be unpaid labour, he will only be given the basic necessities. He thought that sentence was harsh but Anitta looked at him like an idiot.
You were very generous, too generous, although his crimes were not severe enough to warrant death he would've been made a slave for life in the cities.
A few more men were killed, the people seemed immune to the sight now, ofcourse the children were taken to the back and had their eyes closed before every execution.
Of the 43 men, 41 had been judged and 11 of them lived, the rest were executed. There were two left to stand trial and there was also sticks but he was not to be trialed.
He looked at the two remaining men, he told Anitta to call them last so it was no coincidence they were the only ones remaining, they looked calmer than most.
Either they knew they were not guilty or did not fear death. These two were the ones he saw the day he killed the ash serpent, strangely he found them locked up in the basement when he went to Tigers place.
So we meet again, he said with a smile.