Charles dropped Themo in the middle of the unfinished building meant for Malik’s living quarters and backed away. Malik crouched down to look at Themo’s face. His heart filled with hate as he looked at the dwarf. How could Themo be the same species as someone like Naveck?

“Excuse me, Malik?” Naveck broke the silence.

“Yes?”

“May I say something on behalf of Themo?”

Malik’s eyes narrowed. “You will not dissuade me, but go on.”

“I understand what Themo did was inexcusable. Half the reason we’re in this mess is that he made a decision without consulting us, resulting in disaster,” Naveck took a deep breath, “But please, Malik. Have some mercy. If you do this, it’s a slippery slope. The reason is just in this instance, but where does it end?”

“I have been deceived or manipulated from the moment I awoke. I’ve been angry and frustrated, but I have been patient. I did not act impulsively in these instances, and I don’t act impulsively now. My children are not prizes to be found and sold. I sentence him to death,” Malik’s voice cut through the air. The dwarves grieved but knew that they and their clan would do the same to any outsider.

Naveck slowly nodded his understanding, “Then please, have more mercy on the other three. They were convinced by Themo to take the easy road. They are flawed, but I think they can pay for their crimes with something other than their lives or exile which is the same as death.”

Malik looked at Naveck’s pleading eyes. His heart told him that the traitors all deserved to die, but his mind told him to think about Naveck’s words and what consequences the sentencing of the other three may bring.

“I will consider it.”

Naveck seemed satisfied, and backed away, eyes glued to the ground.

Malik turned his attention back to Themo. He bent, grabbing him and lifting him up by his beard. The dwarf didn’t even cry out at this point. His eyes fluttered in and out of consciousness. This death sentence was mercy in itself.

There was no further speech or ceremony. Malik simply lifted Themo’s beard and sliced his neck with a claw. A small wheeze escaped before the valley was enveloped in silence. There was no sound as the blood pooled around Themo. A slight breeze made his beard quiver.

A status flooded Malik’s vision, not allowing the moment to sink in for him.

Choose Imprint

1: Rune of Truth - Lies within this building will cause lasting pain

2: Rune of Sturdiness - Sturdy as a dwarf. Durability boost

3: Rune of Comfort - Stone Wing Spire is safer. Feel comfort within these walls. Boost to rest and recovery

The first option is what Malik truly wanted. He was sick of wondering what the intentions were of everyone he met. However, the second option gave the building tangible safety and promise of longevity. The third option was also something that enticed him. He thought about the young gargoyles that would live inside. All he could really ask was that they felt safe and happy.

But that third option would be an illusion, wouldn’t it?

The first option might seem harsh. What kind of lasting pain? He didn’t know. But, it would solve many of his problems. Stone Wing Spire was teetering on a total collapse in its infant state. Malik couldn’t afford to place his trust in anyone with ulterior motives.

He selected the first option and supposed he could repurpose the building at another time.

The dwarves, and even Charles, gasped. Malik looked down and saw that Themo’s body was crumbling and sinking into the ground. A large golden light erupted from where his body once was and started to move. The light burned lines into the foundation in wide arcs, forcing Malik to leap back. The golden light picked up speed, scorching the ground until it blinked out of existence. In its place, a large rune covered the entire foundation.

Malik knew that his Founder’s Imprint skill had upgraded and his chest filled nearly enough to trigger a Level advancement.

Malik turned his attention to the dwarves, “I know that Themo was your friend. I’m sorry that you all had to witness what happened here tonight. I want to say thank you for helping me retrieve what is precious to me despite the circumstance. You all have my sincere gratitude and I hope we can put this behind us,” Malik paused, scanning the dwarves' faces, looking them each in the eye. The stout men masked their emotions well behind their beards, their eyes giving little away as well.

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“If it’s any consolation,” he continued, “Themo will live on through this building. As long as it stands, so will his memory.”

This brought a twinkle to the dwarves’ eyes. “Thank you for the words, Malik. I believe we all need some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Naveck said. With that, they all filed back into the burrow except for the three prisoners. Sam and Charles also remained present.

Everyone looked at Malik expectantly. The gargoyle rubbed his temples. The last thing he wanted to do right now was to deal with the prisoners, but he might as well get it over with.

However, Sam spoke before Malik could get a word out, “What exactly happened here?”

“My class. I have a skill that can augment buildings through a blood sacrifice. Whether it be mine or another’s. I wasn’t sure it would work.”

Sam frowned, “Well, clearly, it did. I ask again, what happened?”

Malik resisted the urge to throttle the little brat, “Themo’s sacrifice created a rune. Uttering a lie within the boundaries of this building will cause ‘lasting pain’,” Malik said, hoping to see a look of worry on Sam’s smug face.

Instead, Sam’s eyes brightened, “Oh, that’s incredible. Do you mind if I attempt to question these three?”

Both Charles and Malik looked at Sam in surprise.

“I’d prefer to question them myself,” Malik said.

“I understand, but please give me a chance. I’ve always fancied myself as an investigator. If at any time you wish for me to stop and take over, I will not argue,” Sam pleaded.

Malik had never seen Sam look or sound so excited. It was nearly as off-putting as his normal sour nature. “Uh, sure, Sam. Let’s see what you have in mind.”

Sam looked ready to explode in dance, but took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and relaxed his face. When he opened his eyes, they were back to their intense disdainful selves. Turning to the three traitors, Sam launched into his questions.

“Is it true that the three of you conspired against Malik and Stone Wing Spire to steal one of the eggs and sell it once reaching your clan?”

The three dwarves nodded uncomfortably.

“Is it true that Themo was the ringleader?” Sam appeared to be holding his breath, hoping to uncover an extra layer of their plot.

The three dwarves nodded once more.

Frowning, Sam told them, “You need to speak. Yes or no,” and asked the question again.

The three dwarves all answered, “Yes, Themo was the ringleader.”

Sam was visibly disappointed, “Is it true that you all have family that you’re desperate to return to?”

“Yes.”

“Is it true that once exiled, you plan to return to your clan without retaliating in any way upon Stone Wing Spire?”

“Yes,” they intoned simultaneously again.

Just then, Werander fell forward, smacking his face on the ground and screaming. “Make it stop, make it stop!”

“Is it true that you plan retribution on Stone Wing Spire?”

“Yes, yes!” Werander yelped. His body began to relax, but he still whimpered slightly.

“What does it feel like when you tell an untruth here?”

“Like glass breaking in my veins. Even now, it feels like small shards course through them. Make it stop, please,” Werander begged.

Sam looked back at Malik and Charles. The pair raised their brows.

“I am impressed, Sam. I wouldn’t have thought to ask them those questions in that manner. Continue,” Malik nodded.

Sam smiled, “The only way to ‘make it stop’, as you put it, is to continue telling the truth and refrain from lying.” Sam held his breath. He wasn’t sure if that’s how it really worked, but the rune didn’t activate agony upon him, so it must be true.

The dwarves nodded their agreement.

“Werander. Do you renounce any plan or intention of causing harm upon Stone Wing Spire in the present or future?”

Werander took a deep breath, “Yes.” No pain was inflicted upon him.

“Good,” Sam then resumed his questioning of all three, “Is it true that you would rather pay for your crimes through hard work and the betterment of Stone Wing Spire rather than exile?”

The three dwarves thought for a moment. Bogart was the first to answer, “Yes.”

Eltig and Werander followed soon after, “Yes.”

“Good. Do you swear to follow Malik’s orders until he feels that your punishments have been fulfilled?”

“Yes.”

“Lastly, do you swear to cause no harm to any Citizen or hatchling of Stone Wing Spire?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Malik, is there anything you would like to ask?”

Malik thought for a moment, “Yes. Sam. Do you promise to never question me in that manner at any time?”

Sam laughed and bowed, “Yes, Malik.”

Malik snorted in amused relief, “Good. Take them back to the burrow. Leave their bonds on until tomorrow, just in case I think of anything that you didn’t cover during your questioning, Sam.”

“My pleasure,” Sam said, still jubilant.

Charles looked at his son in amusement, “I suppose I’ll be off to bed as well. What a day.”

“Thanks again, Charles and Sam. Get some rest.”

Malik had already had a nap and his mind was not tired. Now that it was quiet and there wasn’t much to do until the morning, he decided to take a midnight flight over the forest and see what the beetles were up to.

Launching himself into the air, he left his worries behind him for a brief escape.