[RPG] [BT][Rio] Delvin Anaris ~ Flame of Justice

[Timothy Collett]

Delvin stands before the executioner's block in the main square of  
Athol Margos as Marc Kiethson, self-styled "King of Irombrozia" is  
led up from the dungeons.  Clothed in black, arms and legs chained,  
he holds his head high as he walks along the avenue from the dungeons  
to the headsman's platform.  A large crowd has gathered for this  
event, of nobles and commoners both.  The nobles have pride of place  
around the platform, with armed guards between them and the rest of  
the crowd, ensuring that the peasants do not come too close.  Many of  
the onlookers shout and jeer at Marc, some even throwing things  
(though most of the projectiles hit only other peasants).  Some stare  
in awe, never having seen a condemned man with their own eyes--much  
less so prominent a figure, the leader of the long-standing rebellion  
in the South.

At last, Marc mounts the stairs to the platform, where he is led to  
stand just before the block.  Standing on either side of the headsman  
are Prime Minister Delvin and Minister of Finances Marche.  Behind  
the headsman, his axe is being heated in a flame.  Delvin holds an  
official scroll, marked with the seal of the Grand Justiciar.  He  
raises a hand, and the crowd falls silent.  Then he unrolls the  
scroll and begins to read from it, in a voice pitched to carry all  
around the square.

"Marc Kiethson, you stand accused of the crimes of fraud, murder,  
treason, and rebellion.  You have torn Riombara apart and caused the  
loss of countless lives, purely in pursuit of your own lust for  
power.  For these crimes, a death sentence was spoken upon your  
head.  Tonight, in this hour, that sentence will be carried out.

"Before you die, do you have any final words?"

"Delvin, you do not have the power to execute me! I, as King of  
Irombrozia, soverign of the Southlands, am beyond your power to  
condemn or praise! If you attempt to execute me, a thousand  
Irombrozians shall spring forth and slay you all! Irombrozia shall  
not end with me."

As Marc's rant continues, Delvin grows tired.  He leans close to Marc  
and says, "You wanted a duel?  Well, let this be the end of it,  
then...and who has won?"  Then he motions to the executioner. The  
hood of the condemned is placed over Marc's head. As the axe falls,  
Marc yells out his last words:

"Delvin, you shall die as you have lived! A tyrant to the last!"

Delvin raises his eyebrows as Marc's head falls into the basket.  A  
roar goes up from the crowd, entirely drowning Delvin's murmur of,  
"And to the end, he never recognized true tyranny..."

Then he turns to the crowd and raises both hands.  The roar subsides  
to a hushed murmuring, and Delvin announces, "Marc has been consigned  
to the Flame of Justice," pointing to the axe which the headsman  
holds high.  Its blade is still glowing slightly from being heated,  
and it bears the insignia of the Office of the Justiciar etched into  
it.  "Today, Riombara has struck a mighty blow against the rebels in  
Irombro.  Soon, the city which I have always held dear will once  
again fly a Riombaran flag!"

The crowd erupts into a mighty cheer, and Delvin stands there for a  
minute, letting the people celebrate, before leading the nobles back  
to the palace.  As he comes to the stairs leading down from the  
platform, the headsman calls to him over the cheering, "M'lord, what  
shall I do with the body?"

Delvin turns around.  "Ah, yes.  I almost forgot.  Marche, I believe  
you requested the body...you may have it for a day and a night, as  
long as there is something recognizable to send back to his family.   
The head, please have brought to my office as soon as possible.  I  
want to personally put it on a pike outside the gates..."

The executioner nods.  "As you say, m'lord Delvin."

Delvin's eyes flash as he descends from the platform and takes his  
position at the head of the nobles returning to the palace. He almost  
seems to skip as he leads the way...

--

"The only thing you can't trade for your heart's desire is your heart."
  ~ Miles Naismith Vorkosigan

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