Impalent, as a thod of execution, is the penetration of a human by an object such as a stake, pole, spear, or hook, often by complete or partial perforation of the torso. It was used particularly in response to "cris against the state" and regarded across a number of cultures as a very harsh form of capital punishnt and recorded in myth and art.
- The Journey to the Afterlife
***Dedessia, the Sea of Souls, Crystal City***
***Elona***
Stop pouting, it doesn't fit your cute face. How about sothing sweet when Mommy is done with the official stuff? I try to lighten my daughter's mood and pat her head. Cylus is with my mother. She opted to take care of him while I am occupied by my duties... like deciding people's fates in the throne room. I glance at Shade's throne right next to mine and sigh upon finding it empty. Seria isn't the only one who dislikes hard working fathers.
I wonder why Chloe refuses to take care of Seria? She only helps when she has Tisha's assistance.
I know, Mom. But Dad simply ran off instead of allowing to watch him work, Seria answers in a dejected tone and glares at the empty throne.
You know very well that he is investigating the pathways up close to the mana storm. It's dangerous and anyone who ventures so close to a storm should be able to get out on a mont's notice. Your body is still weak and Shade doesn't want anything to happen to you. He will be back in the evening, I explain in a motherly voice. Which doesn't an that Seria would take such advice.
Sorry-
Oh, I know! How about joining in the kitchen after we are done here? We could try together to replicate sothing like chocolate. Shade will topple over when we surprise him with a good imitation. And you could learn a little more about my magic, I offer joyfully. And chocolate would be perfect for so blackmail. Shade never ntions it by now, but I am sure that a single bite is enough to get him addicted again.
Sorry-
Seria draws a deep breath and nods. I suppose that's as good as anything else to kill so ti. Though I suppose you can't teach anything new?
Sorry-
I cuddle her closer to . Sure! We will start with the complicated stuff and work our way downwards. Have I already taught you hearth magic? The first step would be to claim your own kitchen-
Stop it! The man who is kneeling in front of us screams at the top of his lungs. He was brought in by Aswang and so of his police officers. When we created our new society it was clear that we need a professional military and security force. Aswang and Manti stepped up right away to take the job.
I can't take the bickering any more! Is this really supposed to be sothing like a royal court? Just tell my sentence and be done with it! I listened to your idle talk for over ten minutes, and the longer I am here, the more it sounds like this place is just a day-crib... The man continues to spurt insulting lines, forcing to take notice of him. He is bound by crystal handcuffs which force his hands to the sides of his neck.
To be honest, Shade and I thought about calling this the 'Court of Souls'... you know... because all of us are really old souls and we will decide over the fate of others? Seeking help, I turn my attention towards Aswang and point at the man. Why is this individual here?
The man's eyes widen. You don't even know who I am? I am the clan leader of Zarant, the mighty Galhard! We shook hands when my people joined you!
I sigh. I am sorry, but we assimilated so many clans that rembering all the clan heads becos really troubleso. And to be honest, the whole clan-thing is kind of outdated. Did you really expect to keep any kind of authority after joining our society? If you want to be soone, you have to work hard to earn your place.
I blink and look back towards Aswang. He still didn't answer .
He was searching for supporters and talked to a lot of our higher immortals, promising them benefits and luxury. It sounded like he was trying to undermine your power. When we investigated where his funds ca from, we found out that he used a lot of his forr clan mbers for forced labour. Many of them were too intimidated to talk to us. They thought that everything happened with our knowledge. Luckily it was almost impossible for Galhard to keep them away from the other civilians, so we gathered a lot of dirt on him.
Aswang gestures at the shackled man. Since he is a higher immortal and misused his power, I brought him to you. It is quite clear that his actions resulted in a few unnecessary deaths. His forced labourers weren't treated well, I think further details aren't really necessary. Your new laws are quite clear on the point, but he insisted on his right to talk to you.
Yes! There is no point in any of this. I didn't do anything outside my rights. All I did was maximizing the profit. I didn't use any slave collars, so calling it forced labour is really far fetched! The man wriggles against his shackles.
I raise both eyebrows. So if you intimidate a low to the point that he or she is too afraid to seek the help of the authorities, you don't call it forced? Aswang, you seem to be involved in this case, what's your judgent?
Aswang shrugs. There isn't much to judge. The case is clear to . The lows in his care weren't treated any better than robots. It's a disgrace for those of us who wield power. Especially since the lower immortals don't have any chance of fighting back. Bringing him here was only a formality.
I massage my temple and smile at the shackled man. This is truly without precedent. You are the first higher immortal who was stupid enough to do sothing like this in our bright new world. What drove you to such extres?
I just protected what's mine! Did you really think that I would be glad about losing my harem? When they heard of their new rights, they imdiately ran off without even looking back! You are... The man continues his tirade with a stream of insults.
I force myself to keep smiling. This guy clearly has nothing to say for himself, he only insisted on his rights to postpone the inevitable. Maybe we should take away the right of an audience from criminals? There will always be dark elents in every society. I have no illusions about it. But what if there is a case which is truly debatable? No, we should stick to the current rule.
Finally I decide to interrupt his tirade. If Aswang is right, then it's quite clear to that your cris can only result in execution. Of course that's only if your actions really resulted in the death of our subjects. But if Aswang found proof, then that's a moot point. I trust my staff completely.
At last Galhard realizes his situation. You can't! Aren't you guys the ones who are trying to build a bright, new society? Death sentences are sothing for undeveloped nations!
I shrug. Maybe. But this is a harsh world, and the simple act of feeding a bastard like you seems like a waste to . Your soul will co back to haunt us soon enough. Maybe you will even be a better person if we reset your slate. But how about letting my daughter decide? Aside from her brother she is the only, truly innocent person in this palace. Seria, what to you think about death sentences for people who dirty our image?
Galhard's eyes widen and his expression shows hope. Then his pleading eyes concentrate on the cute angel who is sitting on my lap. There is no way that a little girl like her would sentence soone to death.
Unfortunately Seria already had her ritual and is far from being a simple, little girl. She studies him for a long ti. In the end she frowns and snorts.
Impale him in front of the palace. Then make a live stream of his struggle and publish the evidence of his misdeeds. Everyone should know that even higher immortals have to answer to justice. We have to build a society and deal with the fact that a few of us hold the power to extinguish many. There can't be the slightest doubt that we would punish those abusing their power. Otherwise this whole society experint will fall apart soon enough.
I pat Seria's head. You are so smart. But impaling in front of the palace? That will be ssy and stink. Are you sure that it isn't Angrod who is speaking there?
Seria's voice brightens. Oh, you are right. Maybe a simple beheading would suffice. We can save the truly cruel stuff for people like Moonray. Can we go to the kitchen now? I think you promised to teach hearth magic!
Of course. I stand up and guide Seria out of the throne room. In the anti the gaping imbecile who interrupted my ti with my daughter is dragged to his feet and escorted away. We really have to find a better way to deal with people like him. But as long as we keep integrating the other clans, we will always get a set of foul apples along with the good ones.
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