Chapter 141

"For you all the punishment will be Ten strokes with the rod of correction!" those around me cry out for mercy for them because chances are you will descend if you aren't strong enough to with stand the blows, the whip is made of fire.

"If you do not survive, it means you are not strong and if you are not strong then you can not lead my ranks! Bronkle bring forth the rod and heed my words!" the Bronkle does as it's told and begins the whipping, it's long enough to hit them all in one go, they endure, trying not to make a sound as the heat tears their flesh and scorch their backs. I walk over to Simon and stoop down to him, I lift his head "look Simon, take a good look at them, this is what you've caused with your reckless actions, look at the result of your handiwork"

He looks at them with his lips bitten inwards, after the final stroke they all collapse but not before casting looks at Simon, the head squad leader was the first to get back onto his knees then stand before helping the others up, I smile and release Simons face "very good, very good indeed, you took your punishments without a sound and still manage to rise Shakor and Vigo select your best from among your ranks to take over as Captains"

They don't hesitate and call out "Finch!" "Wade!" the Two come through the crowd and stand besides their leaders "pass your Captains badges to them" they do as they are told and gives them a few words "ranks! recognize your new captains!" "hoozah! hoozah! hoozah!" "alright, Shakor and Vigo you will both now be my Generals," their eyes widen as I'm sure they thought I was putting them out of the ranks completely.

"Come forward" they do and I give them General Badges" I slit my wrist and hold my hand to them "drink" they drink, I look at them and they bow "do not let me down!" "you have our word my lord, we will not repeat the same mistake twice and will follow you" "good, my people your new Generals!" everyone cheers "go, get treated squad take your captains to get treated" they are taken away.

"Now as for you Simon, you have caused me too much loss and given me too much disobediance, summon the Warlock"

Cass runs through the crowd "no my lord please I beg! no!" she knows full well what it means when I summon the warlock "Cass please leave! this is my punishment, go back" "you'd do well to listen to him Cass as I still haven't forgotton your stint, you are inevitably to blame for all this, had you not set up that place then Melina would not have been caught and them Simon would not have had to do what he did, the more I think about it, the more I realize, it really is your fault! bring her here to the podium too!"

"No! no! my Lord no! please I will take all the punishment let her be, please I beg of you"

"I will give you the choice Cass, if you can survive Five strikes from the rod, alongside Simon I will release him, if you can not I will have the warlock do my bidding" "Cass please get out of here now! leave!"

Simon pulls against his restraints trying to get Cass to leave, she stares at him long and hard and a tear falls down her cheek "I'm sorry Simon, so sorry" she looks down then back up at me, all tears have gone "I will take the strikes my Lord, it is only right that I accept the consequences of my actions and the domino effect it caused after" "CASS NOOOOO!" "Fine! I accept and commend your bravery Cass, Bronkle!"

Simon is brought down next to Cass "what have you done Cass!" "making all my wrongs right, I am ready my Lord" "begin!" Simon turns his head to face Cass and she reaches out to grab his hand, she winces when the first strikes but she doesn't cry out, simply bite down on her lip to swallow the pain, Simon never once takes his eyes off her, right up to the very last blow "it is finished, you are both free to go!" "t-thank you for your mercy my Lord" Cass says before collapsing.

"Cass!" "guards unchain him" they undo his shackles and he stumbles across to Cass, he rolls her over onto her side and check to ensure she's still breathing, then lifts her careful not to touch her wounded back "do I have your permission to leave my lord" " Simon" he looks up at me "do count yourself lucky that you have someone who cares for you dearly, I trust you have learned your lesson and we will never meet at opposite ends again" 

"Yes my Lord" "very well, you may go and get the both of you treated" "thank you my Lord"

He hurries away with Cass in tow and I turn to the others "we have come a long way together, I do not enjoy making my own people suffer and feel pain, we are one so I expect us to act as such, do let this serve as a reminder to everyone do not go against the cause acting on our own! now we will have to go out and raid more packs to add back to our ranks, go and make ready! dismissed!"