The guards stood before me, their faces etched in disbelief as my soft declaration hung in the air. After a tense silence, the captain grew a malicious smile.
"I was hoping you'd say that. I guess obedience is too much to expect from a filthy slut like you. Take her!"
Though their faces were hidden behind gleaming helmets, their eyes betrayed reluctance. They weren't as oblivious as their captain and had sensed the seething discontentment of the crowd.
"Please come quietly," one said, her voice taking on a hint of pleading.
"Shut it and capture the bitch!" the captain snarled, fixing his gaze on the soldier.
The woman flinched and shrugged apologetically, moving toward me in unison with the rest. I sighed and dropped my staff, letting it shatter into stars. Perhaps it was unwise to make a scene. The guards straightened with a glimmer of hope, but they quickly stiffened in dismay as I raised my hand.
