Eradin walked around fuming, he didn’t often allow his emotions to overflow. He looked at himself in the mirror and brushed his white hair back in place, taking a deep breath.

They almost fucking had it.

He walked out and considered the leaders of the Guard. “So does anyone want to explain how one of your ranks turned against us so blatantly?” He asked.

None of those gathered dared to speak. Their eyes shifted around the room.

“Nobody?” He looked at every single person. Letting them feel his gaze linger over them.

Pure white essence jumped from Eradin’s fingertips and wrapped itself around each of their throats. He could have destroyed them immediately, but he wanted to watch them disappear.

They struggled and clasped at the wispy tendrils which were now dragging themselves into their flesh but it was no use. Their faces grew purple, eyes bulged and spittle began to dribble down their chins. He watched as the last of the life left their eyes before releasing his grip and letting their limp bodies drop to the floor.

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“Stick them around the city, as a warning.” He motioned to one of his servants. He didn’t care enough to remember their names. They quickly scurried to the bodies and dragged them out of the dungeon cells. Water dripped lazily in the distance.

“Now, Marlow. How are we progressing with the transportation of the Qursan Ledger?”

A wide man, with ragged long dark hair who didn’t look much like he should be wearing the robes of an Archmage emerged from the group of spectators. He didn’t look scared of the Emperor, even though he undoubtedly was, and Eradin appreciated that.

“We are still in the early stages, your majesty. We don’t want to disrupt the flow of power. But we have moved perhaps five percent of the contracts, ready for long term transport to Eradinium.”

Eradin smiled and thanked his senior adviser. “Keep up the good work. The time has come where our greatness is under threat. We must take steps to protect ourselves from outside influence.”

Eradin turned and focussed his will to the empty space next to him, in full view of the senior representatives he had invited to watch the ‘interrogation’. A rip opened in the air, inviting everyone to peer through to a location outside of the city. A greenish glow started to permeate through the dungeon as the light filtered through.

Eradin smiled as he regarded his ghoulish army. Thousands of warriors of death. Unfeeling. Unwavering. Loyal to the end. Having the power to walk through vast spaces never got old, and he had Dariea to thank for that. He looked over his shoulder at his shocked spectators. Only Marlow didn’t look horrified. He stepped through the portal and left the grimness of the dungeon for others to sort out.