The warriors dragged ten nobles up to the stage, and their cries of desperation filled the air.
"Please, spare us!" one noble, a Dragmin, wailed, collapsing to his knees. His head was bowed on the hallowed space of the platform, and his bound hands were clasped in frantic prayer. "We can make amends!… Please!!"
Another Dragmin noble stumbled forward, his face contorted with fear. "It wasn't our fault! We were just following orders! Please, you must understand! We have families who need us!"
"This is insane! Surely we can negotiate something in exchange for our lives!" shouted another noble, his once fine robe dishevelled as he tried to cling to even a shred of dignity, his voice trembling with fear.
A younger noble, appearing to be a young man, cried out in panic, tears streaming down his face. "I don't know what's going on! I had no part in this—please don't kill me!"
