Far away from the forest, on a flat field, surrounded by houses and farmers, is a castle. The castle is in the style of a stone keep, shape of a parallelogram with a tower in each corner.

Each wall is 15 feet tall and each tower is 20. The entrance to the castle is a steel gate. Above the gate is banner with a black helmet on it. On the opposite side is a large keep. Between them are the great hall, the garrison station and the bailey.

A rider enters the keep carrying a message.

"What do you mean they haven't killed him yet?", yells the duke, "I wanted his head not their excuses."

Messenger:"I understand sir but this isn't a normal man."

Duke:"You think I don't know that? If I could I would send my army out there to burn the forest with him in it. But their waging war right now with the elves in the east. Damn it all! And on top of that, Lord Armstrong bought almost every mercenary band. He must be desperate to win this. Get out, and call in Hick."

Messenger:"Yes sir."

The messenger exists the room and a tall dark tanned man enters. This was Hick, commander of the keep's garrison.

Hick:"You called for me sir?"

Duke:"Yes. Get in close the door. Have a drink."

Hick:"I don't drink sir."

Duke(after a short pause):"Right. Forgive me. This war is getting on my nerves. As well is that fucking phantom."

Hick:"Don't worry sir we'll get him."

Duke:"Will you?" No one speaks for solid 4 seconds. "Tell me Hick. What do you think about mercenaries and bounty hunters?"

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Hick:"They are the lowest of the low. They believe money, women and booze are more important than serving their country and their people."

Duke:"Hm. And your soldiers. Are they any different?"

Hick:"Of course."

Duke:" No, they're not. The only difference is that they serve this country. They both get paid, and they both spend it on booze and women. And what do you think about this phantom?"

Hick:"I think he's a coward that hides in the dark and doesn't have the courage to face his opponents."

Duke(laughs):"Then you don't know the story. He showed up out of nowhere and started killing bandits. Eventually he came to the eastern capital and offended lord Armstrong. He was supposed to be executed but he got away. The lord sent mercenaries and bounty hunters to bring him his head but every time he did he just got their heads instead. For the past three years he's been on the run. Most men with bounties don't survive longer than 6 months. He became a beast, a predator. Do you still think he's a coward?"

Hick is speechless. His eyes are wide opened like he saw a ghost.

Duke:"All men kill for a reason. Hunters kill to survive, mercenaries kill for money, knights kill cause they were ordered to or cause they feel like they're serving their homeland. HE kills cause he can. He doesn't think about it. It's as if killing is secondary only to breathing. Does that spark you up, Hick?"

Hick:"Sir?"

Duke:"You've been the local champion for quite some time. Must be boring huh?"

Hick:"It's been... difficult, to find an opponent."

Duke:"Well you just might get one if this isn't take cared of."

A knight barges into the room "Sir Hick we have a problem."

Outside the castle walls a few dozen peasants have gathered. They're yelling:"Give us back our crops! What are supposed to eat? You selfish pricks, I bet you're not even sending it to the front lines!"

Fifty knights get out with spears and shields. They surround the peasants.

Hick gets out:"What's happening here?"

Peasant:"You're taking all our crops. We have nothing to eat."

Hick:"People please. This is all for our troops out in the east. Without it they will starve and we will lose the war."

Peasant:"Well then get more supplies from the other lords! And why isn't the central capital doing anything about this?"

Hick:"It's not that simple, we can't just ask them."

The duke gets out, "Hick, what's going on?"

Hick:"Sir please, go back inside!"

Peasants:"Thief! Stop stealing from us! We will work for you no longer!"

Duke:"I see. So this is a rebellion."

Hick:"Sir I'll take of this."

Duke:"No you won't. I will. Him, him, her, her, her, him, him, her and him. Execute them."

The knights grab the peasants and prepare the ropes for execution. The people scream for help and beg them to stop but they don't even look at them. The peasants stand on barrels ropes together. The duke stands in front of the people watching "THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON'T OBEY. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON'T FOLLOW THE RULES. LET THESE PEOPLE BE AN EXAMPLE. SHOULD ANYONE DISOBEY ORDERS, THEY WILL END UP LIKE THEM OR WORSE!"

He signals the executioner that pulls the rope and the peasants are hung, their necks are snapped.

The people that watched cry. Their tears fell on the ground like rain. A cold breeze covers the field and the people slowly with their heads lowered, return home.

Duke:"You see Hick. This is how peace is maintained. Fear is stronger than love. Remember that."

Hick:"Yes sir." He looks at the dead bodies and feels pressure on his chest. He sees this as something unnecessary, but he has to follow orders. It will be a cold night.

End of chapter 4