The scene was incredibly brutal for everyone who watched on. Absolute horror showed on the face of the owner and his daughter. The guards behind them took two steps back, their scalps growing numb. They were nothing more than hired mercenaries, but if they continued to associate with the Golden Dragon, whom had incurred the wrath of this Mage, they would definitely not be spared.
All but one of the guards threw down their swords and helmets and begged to be spared their lives. Willem grinned and made the puppet guard gesture toward the exit. The crowd of drinkers ran out hurriedly, grabbing whatever booze they could before spilling out into the street. The guards pushed their way past the drunks and ran for their lives, thankful to be spared by such a magnanimous Mage.
Once he was done with his brutish display of power, he released the magical hold on the guards. The one guard with his throat cut was unequivocally dead, and although the other was still breathing, it was clear he was brain-dead. His eyes maintained a white color as he slumped over lifelessly.
In the end, all that was left was about ten or so Golden Dragon family members, the elder guardsmen as well as the owner of the Inn and his daughter.
"I do not know what my family has done to offend you young master, please tell me if there is a way I can repay you in exchange for you sparing my family." The leader understood more than anyone in the room how frivolous and conniving Mages were.
Having had dealings with the One True King personally, the Dragon Family head understood that a Mage could not interfere in normal human affairs as part of the law. This was a clear violation of said law, and if the Mage allowed him to live, he intended to bring this matter directly to the King.
Choking back sounds of severe anxiety, the Golden Dragon leader spoke. However no matter how much he tried, he dared not raise his head to look upon the young Mage.
"Do you truly not know what I came here for? Then I will ask this of you, pray tell what resides within your cellar? If there is even a sliver of untruth in your words, you will meet the same fate as your guards."
Normally Willem was not so long-winded. He preferred to slink into the crowd and become an innocent bystander, he never appreciated the attention nor desired to stand out. However, this was all an act meant to show the true character of the owner of the Golden Dragon family. The longer he maintained this pressure, the sweeter his revenge will be. Once he is done torturing this elder with words, he intended to deliver on his promises.
The leader of the Golden Dragon family looked back and forth at his attendants with an expression of extreme anger. He truly did not know that something was being held in his cellar. As he looked at the elder guardsman, he could quite plainly see a scowl on the man's face. Despite being partially hidden by the full helmet he wore, his expression showed more than words could ever say.
"It would appear the culprit has been found. Your elder guardsman and those on his payroll have taken something very precious to me, and it would appear as though he did not deem you worthy enough to be part of this venture. Leader of the Golden Dragon Family, offer me his head and I will consider this matter settled."
Willem tapped his foot and motioned for all the Golden Dragon family members to descend the stairs. Those who were already on the first floor had prostrated themselves before the Mage in the hope that showing such reverence would save them from the same fate as the guards.
All the Golden Dragon family members quickly descended from the second floor to the first, including the elder guardsman and the young daughter of the family leader.
The guardsman knew there was no escape for him, but he truly believed that if he was quick enough he would be able to sever the head of the Mage before the latter had time to react.
The leader quickly placed himself behind the guardsman as his family members prostrated themselves to the Mage. Included within this group was his daughter, and for a brief moment he saw the young Mage glance in her direction.
A cold smile grew on his face as he rubbed his hands together.
The first floor was a peculiar sight, with eleven people all huddled together prostrating themselves in front of a young child.
"Young master is truly benevolent, of course we will do anything you ask of us. There is no one among us who would dare defy your will. Forgive me for asking, young master, but perchance are you currently engaged to anyone? I ask because my daughter when previously we spoke had expressed an interest in you. Truly she must have felt that you were magnanimous and without equal in this world."
The Golden Dragon family leader was used to using such words without meaning. A lifetime of taking what he needed and avoiding troubles caused his tongue to turn silver.
However, it was quite clear to Willem what the leader had intended. In order to ingratiate himself with the boy and no longer incur his wrath he offered up his daughter. The face of the young mistress twisted into a slight frown before going back to a smile. If it was anyone else, they would not have noticed such a small detail. However the person in front of them was a Mage, who had already enhanced his vision with magic.
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More than anything that had happened, Willem Saye was a boy who kept his promises. When he promised the leader that even a sliver of a lie would result in his death, he was quite serious.
"I do remember telling you, Golden Dragon leader, that even a sliver of a lie and you would be met with the same fate as your guardsmen. For you to make me a liar and court death in one small sentence, even I do not possess such skill and bravery."
Willem was quite finished with this verbal torture, and the second act was to begin. He could tell that his words and actions easily shaved ten years of life off of these Golden Dragon members, and his last words were the proverbial final nail in the coffin.
"I-I-I did not mean to, I mean I didn't, I would never... P-please, please spare my life. Take my d-daughter, my f-f-f-f-family but please spare my life. It was h-him, he was the one who took away your p-precious i-item. Please kill him and spare me."
The family leader was beyond tears, loud sobbing could be heard as he dropped to his knees. He raised his hands in prayer as he begged for his life, like a dog begging for food.
"Family leader is very astute, I do intend to take your daughter. If she is willing to serve me loyally, then I will spare her life. As for everyone else in this room, your fate was sealed from birth and for that I can only offer my condolences."
Black tendrils raised from the floor as if a monster had suddenly invaded the hardwood beneath their feet. To their horror a death sentence had already been passed before they could even fight back. Light sobbing could be heard before gushes of blood filled the room.
Black spikes flew from the sleeves of Willems robe and pierced the throat of the family leader and the elder guardsmen. From the spike a thin black disk spread out, cleanly severing their heads from their body. The bodies of the two slowly fell down, as if time had slowed, and their heads rolled to the feet of Willem.
After a few moments had passed, only one person remained alive. Kinsey checked her body over and over, waiting for a sharp pain to suddenly echo out from somewhere on her body. Instead, she quickly realized that she was the only person to be spared from the Mage's wrath. His words were true, and if she gave her life completely to him she was assured she would not be killed.
She changed from prostrating to kneeling and dared not look up at her new master. Before she knew it, the clothes she was wearing that had been dyed blood-red from the blood of her family had again taken a beautiful yellow color. The blood congealed in front of her and was quickly moved back into the bodies of the recently deceased.
With his magical abilities, Willem forced the blood that had spilled from the families wounds back into their bodies, before controlling them and forcing them to stand. Blank expressions filled their face, they were clearly dead but they walked as if they were among the living. He made the elder guardsman and family leader pick up their heads and go upstairs. The family followed behind them, and once they had reached their respective rooms he released his magic from them.
Their bodies fell lifeless to the floor and once again began to spill blood. Soon enough, the blood would be dripping from the second floor causing a very disturbing scene. He was hoping to avoid this by having his friends leave quickly.
"Go fetch what is mine from the cellar, I will come back downstairs once I have finished my business." Before accepting the bow from his new attendant, he made his way to the second floor.
Kinsey quickly walked to the cellar and opened the doors, and what she saw caused her face to fall. Completely unknown to her, eight children were tied together and sleeping. She quickly made her way down and woke the children from their slumber. Upon seeing this young girl attempting to undo the bonds that held them, a look of concentration appeared on their face.
Solemnly, Arin spoke. "Young miss, you should leave this place quickly. Forget about us, these monsters that have taken us hostage do not care about human life. You should escape yourself and find help from the guards."
Her heart fell, if these children knew she was a part of the family that had kidnapped them... What would they think of her? Of course she had no knowledge that these things were happening, but even if she did so what? She was weak, and could do nothing but obey her Father's orders. In her eyes, she had just traded one tyrant for another.
She quickly undid the restraints and assured the children that everything is okay, the bad men had been defeated. They can escape without fear of being attacked or injured.
Eleanor looked anxious. "We quickly have to go and make sure Willem is not hurt."
Kinsey had a peculiar look on her face, but held her tongue. She dared not do anything without first consulting her new master. After she undid the bonds, she led them upstairs to the main entrance.
As she did, Willem descended the stairs with his face hidden. Carrying a sack and backpack beside him, he placed the sack into the hands of Arin.
Arin opened the sack and found fifty pieces of gold inside, and his heart raced.