The Flame Lord sits in a chair situated on top of a balcony, connected to the castle's master bedroom. He watches the courtyard as the gallows are being set up for the traitors to hang. Once everything is set up, he yells for the executioner to approach.
"Men, go and stand on the platform," the Flame Lord yells.
All the men solemnly walk up onto the board where the rope rests. There are 26 men total, and only 7 stand on the board. The executioner grabs the hanging rope and situates them around the seven standing on the board.
"I am going to make an example out of all of you," the Flame Lord starts, "An example of what happens when you betray the king. Let them hang, executioner." This will instill the fear I need for subordination, he thought as the board was dropped, and the seven men hung, limp.
The other 19 men stand, afraid, knowing that they will die. One, however, spoke up. "This is madness! What good will this accomplish? All you're doing is just killing off good people who did nothing wrong! You didn't tell them to do anything! If anything, the reason the 'traitor' got away was because of you!"
After the man finished his speech, the Flame Lord had only one thing to say: "Does anybody else volunteer to die? No? Good." The Flame Lord jumps down from the balcony and fips into a landing. "I'll execute this one myself."
The Flame Lord draws a sword of pristine white, with a grayed hilt and handle. Obscene and tortured energy swirls around the blade, with the faint echos of screaming coming from the souls trapped inside.
"The Sword of the Damned…" the head commander said in awe.
"A smart one, I see," The Flame Lord responded, "Then I'm sure you know what'll happen when I cut down this bastard with it?"
After saying this, the Flame Lord prepares to slice the offending man in two before a hand lands on his shoulder.
"That's enough, Cameron."
Alice stands behind the Flame Lord with a stern look, but also a small hint of fear.
"These men did nothing wrong… At least give them a second chance," Alice protests.
Hearing Alice say this, the small remaining humanity kicks back in.
"You are very lucky today, men," the Flame Lord says, "I don't usually spare cretins like you." I can just kill them all later, he thinks to himself, all of them are useless to me, anyway. The Flame Lord resheaths his sword and walks away.
"Leave the gallows standing," The Flame Lord continues, "I think we'll see more traitors in the future."
Later in the evening, Alice and Cameron, the Flame Lord, sit together in the throne room, the brilliant orange still steaming though the windows.
"I have plans, Alice," Cameron starts, "Plans of conquest."
"I don't like what you've become, Cameron," Alice responds, "I-"
"I'm not your Cameron anymore…" he retaliates, "I am the king of flame, and you… are my queen, and I want you to start acting like it."
"Yes… my lord," Alice whispers.
"Bring me Prince Luke," Cameron orders, "I wish to see him."
"But-" Alice tries to say before being cut off.
"I told you to bring me Luke."
"As… as you wish."
"Better."