Chapter 42: Red Eyes
The next morning, the city of Rammstein did not awaken to the warm embrace of sunlight but instead to the blood-curdling screams of its citizens. Panic surged through the streets. What they saw was beyond comprehension.
The citizens who woke up early to open their shops, walked to City square only to witness a horrifying sight that had no explanation. Everything was all but fine the night prior, it was silent and peaceful, there was no threat since the area was under the City Guard.
They were even happy to see the City Guard commit their night patrols although the patrols did end before midnight against the wishes of Estefan.
Thousands of severed heads lined the city’s major squares, marketplaces, and even in front of the homes of those criminal factions.
All were mounted on pikes, some crudely placed where no pike could be found. These were not random victims instead they were criminals, their names written on blood-stained parchment nailed to their foreheads. Beneath each list of crimes was the unmistakable seal of Baron Estefan Angeras.
Some wept in terror. Others vomited at the grotesque sight. But not all were afraid.
A surprising number of citizens stared at the heads with relief, even satisfaction. Loved ones lost to these criminals would finally find a semblance of justice. Whispers of support for the new regime slowly replaced cries of horror.
Frejlurd, Commander of the City Guard, received the report moments after waking. Upon arriving at the scene, his boots splashed in blood pooled on the cobbled ground. The stench of decay already hung thick in the morning air.
He was shivering. But he forced himself to stand tall in front of his subordinates. "Who did this?" he asked sharply.
One of the guards ran toward him, handing over a piece of parchment nailed to one of the heads.