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"A weak one." Kúter told Cliff. "A weak ruler only listens to bootlickers and arsekissers. His or her kingdom fails as a result of it and taking no action shows that they are either weak or a coward." The Dzárg told Cliff whilst looking at the bandits. "Execute them for their crimes or leave one alive and break their legs as a message to every bandit in this land." Kúter told the party as he stepped on the shoulder of the dead wolf and crushed it as a scare tatic and a not so subtle message to the bandits.

" I agree with Paz - I think there has been enough slaughtering going on. We are no better than murderers if we kill them when they have surrendered." Malek paused in thought.

" They definitely shouldn't go free, they will surely harm, rob or kill some other innocent passers-by. If we tie them up, who will find them? Guards? Or perhaps more bandit folk that will just release them?"

All of Malek's words did little to help him decide on what they should do. The sight of the bloody remains around the cart were highly unpleasant - whatever they chose to do, he hoped it would get them back on their journey sooner rather than later.

"What about magic? A special binding spell or perhaps some sort of signal that will get the guards to come here and arrest them all?"

"Guards." said Paz in a sceptical manner. He wasn't one for laws or those who enforced them. Still between that and killing them it seemed like the lesser of two evils. He looked at Kúter crushing a dead man's bones as he continued. "The leader fine, but killing the rest of them? I don't know. It just..." Paz let his sentence trail off, shook his head and sighed.

Keler munched some more on the leg. Cracking as his teeth began to get at the bone. "I say kill. Allow me to stay a while to grow my Unkindness more." He said softly. "A bandit less on the road is a citizen safe from being mugged or worse. Right?" He looked over all of the bandits, trying to look for sincerity, or the idea that they meant it that if they surrendered and live.. they would stop this crime.

"But that Dzárg gets on my nerves with his words, such focus on ego and power and battle." His molars grinding on the food in a displeasing manner. "Ah, such focus on weakness too. Me thinks that Dzárg is trying to overcome his own weakness, why else would he fixate on it so much.."

Jun-Li smirked as he watched the proceedings. "Why not spare them all, and give them a chance at redemption?" He questioned. "More often than not, criminals like these have no other option available to those with skills such they have, and most would jump at the chance to have a paying, semi-legitimate job." He continued, knowing the place that these bandits now dwelt in, a shadowy place between right and wrong.

He took a few steps toward the bandits and gestured to them and himself. "If that's not enough, let me take command and full responsibility for them. Help guide them to be somewhat honest, so to speak." He finished, breaking out into a full grin.

Mizu fluttered towards the bandits, staying a bit more than an arm's length away from the closest one. "You guys don't wanna die, right?" she asked, smirking. "I don't know, it just seems like such a waste when they can be useful."

"A wolf without its brain is little more than a pair of fangs." Zhao said, returning to his regular form and dusting himself off ceremoniously, though there was little in the way of dirt upon him. Neither was there blood upon his hands, for that matter. "I would dispatch the leader and let the rest go. Unarmed, of course. Without their leader, their morale and organization will dimnish, possibly leading to failure to execute plans or even cause desertion."

He was quoting almost entirely from a book he had read. In truth, he had little knowledge of such things.

Kúter wasn't one to let words get to him so he ignored Keler. "They may be useful but they have proven to be cowards who give up as soon as they start losing the battle and are the type who would slit your throats in your sleep." The Dzárg told the party as he walked over the dead wolf whilst retrieving his spear from it's body.

Malek looked in disgust as Keler crunched on the bones. He wondered what kind of person would do such a thing in such a carefree, everyday manner.

He turned to Jun-Li, "I think it's very optimistic of you to think that these bandits would willingly reform from their devious ways so easily. And as for taking command of them yourself - do you really want to be babysitting a bunch of criminals, when we are so early into our quest? I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them, and we can't afford any extra trouble when we are on...." he lowered his voice to a whisper, "....such an important mission."

"Lack of a leader would surely just cause a new leader to rise up, would it not?" Malek posed his question to Zhao. "They may regroup and come after us again for revenge."

"I don't know, whatever we do please let's not just release them. This journey is bound to be filled with untold dangers and I'd rather not start it with vengeful bandits on the loose."

He let out a sigh. His hand had begun to ache from holding it up beside his conjured knives, so he lowered it to his side and gave it a shake, leaving the blades still sat as a visual disturbance in the air.

The Decision

"I have heard you all and considered each of your opinions on the matter, and while it seems most of you desire us all to slaughter all of the bandits wholly and completely, I have heard the best cases made by those who wish to simply punish the hand not the knives, in other words slaying our hydra while sparing the rest. As such I have decided that we will slay the hydra while allowing those who live to walk away with their lives." The Prince said point to the bandits muttering a quick set of phrases, a rune appeared on the forehead of each bandit save the hydra. "However, should any of you harm another living being purposefully and without the truest and utter need, you will die. Instantly." The Prince said to the bandits who stood, bowed in understanding and fled.

"As for their leader, he will be slain in as humane a way as possible. He will not be consumed, Muurae nor will any of our foes without my express ordering. Do we understand one another?" The Prince said narrowing his eyes at the Muurae.

His Response
The twin shadows looked back at the feeble few and their prince, ominous be his ways be he friend or foe. The two drew a small distance between their impaled prey, walking in pair step by step, even their expressions matched, for one would act while the other mimic'd. Though only one could speak the other can still listen; be as it is they were very much one in the same, even by shadow they were linked as too with the hydra and his pain.

"Do you think it wise to be so kind? A couple of cut-throats they be, not some mere peasants fester'd in demise.. Weak they may be, or equally we may be.. Mercy you say? I could only wish the same." His head tilted to his side with but one eye narrowed while the other full, arms limp as his voice croaked "Hehehe.. talkin about and letting opinions sway.. my patience dwindles and they're souring my day, let me tie each one up.. and show them my merciful ways."

A sound metal could be heard, the rattling of barbed chains as they fell from his sleeves, his mimic did the same though her's be of shadow. The two closed in on their captured foe, one on each side and ready to bind him so. Though not by means as anticipated, but each to his own limbs of two, maybe even a head or more to ensnare with this painful mesh before tension could be made to an already imprisoned soul. The twin shadows looked back once more, making his point and intent all the more clear. Like the monster he is, he invoked his words, slowly pulling away with chains in force. If impalement wasn't enough, then being torn in two would do. Using his strength and marble'd foe's flesh, he could tear his limbs or more in full force. However he enjoyed the growing agony, and wished well that he heard these final words.

"Ever wonder'd why the cage'd bird cries? Hidden away, as he slowly withers and dies.. never free even if for a time.. for when he is caught he'll sing his very last chime.. That my dear friend is why the cage'd bird cries, now cry for me.. while I tear at this hide!

Using his incantation to muster his will, the two gave one final tug with all their might. These chains that were once his imprisonment, now his most cruelest of weapons, he longed to enjoy the sight as others felt his gruesome blight. His smile was wild, he loved this so, but the other seemed complexed as if only putting on a show. He seemed fully intent to heed yet disobey the prince's words, he really was cruel for this is his way

Malek smiled and nodded as the prince spoke.

"Excellent decision Valadrir! The best of both worlds - not killing them, but not letting them go free without incapacitating their ability to harm others. I must say that I am 100% satisfied with your wise and noble decision. It is clear that you are a dutiful prince... and not a bloodthirsty, power-toting egomaniac like several members of the group seem to be."

He clapped at the prince in appreciation.

Knowing the others a little better now, he did not mind openly insulting those who deserved it.

The sound of the crazy Shift muttering words came to Malek's ears and he looked over as the strange man of the Abyss started to perform some kind of action with his chains. It looked like too much enjoyment was being had by the shadowman with his kill, and there was definitely no sign of a humane kill going on - more of a prolonged relish of each unpleasant moment.

"Just do the deed will you!" Malek shouted to Farqual. "Amuse yourself in your own time and not have us waiting while you savour whatever sick satisfaction you seem to be getting from bringing around death."
He hissed as he spoke and his eyes flashed as they had done in the throne room earlier.

Keler looked at the prince and a simple blood stained grin came from him. "I eat what I wish." The Muunrae said simply, he wasn't to be chained or caged on that simple thing. "Have you not heard of how we gain strength, how our changing grows?"

Stepping forward Keler grinned. "I will do as I wish to these beings. The only thing I'm here.. is for power and interest. That's all. But if you permit me to do something.. I can make it so they live but won't be able to harm another with their hands." Two fingers on his eye. "If.. I may?"

"Interesting." Kúter commented after the decision to spare the bandits had been made. "I can give the coward a quick death." He told the Prince. "You intend to cut their hands off?" Kúter asked Keeler.

The Prince looked at the Muurae and the Abyssal one with an obvious malevolence. Whatever the Prince was thinking, they likely wouldn't want to hear it. But, as suddenly as the darkness had appeared, it left his eyes and once again the radiance was as pure as starlint. He drew himself up, and looked at Cliff.

"Take care of it." He said simply, having no desire to cause any creature to suffer more than necessary. Even when they deserved it.



Cliff finally stood, as if he had been wairinf patiently this whole time for orders. "As you wish, my prince." Cliff said, snapping his fingers allowing a small golden flame to appear in his hands. He slowly walked over to the shadows, ignoring the sharpness of them and touched the small mote of flame to one of the tendrils thereof. It started slowly, picking away at the darkness then all at once consuming the very essence of shadow, in a near instantaneous flash of light, the darkness was gone, Farqarl was lying on his rump, and Alma who had resumed her Raven appearance, sat on his head quite clearly unharmed. But what of the bandit leader?

When the party could see once more, after nearly being blinded by the light of Cliff's magic, they saw a bleached white skeleton picked clean of all flesh. It was morbidly beautiful in a way. The bones smooth and polished in appearance. Upon closer inspection, all of the corpses had become skeletons in much the same fashion, whatever the case, they were now short a hydra that would not be missed.

"I think something needs to be made clear, Muurae." Talira, the shift assassin, said to Keller. "We are not a rag tag team of slaughterers hell bent on killing everyone and everything in our way. We are adventuerers in service to the emperor. So feeding on still living creatures is not only out of the question, but will result in your permanent end. Noble or not your clan would not dare move against The Emperor. In fact, this goes for all of you. I'll not tolerate random killing sprees, act like Goddess-fearing men and women or get lost. Rienthas be damned, I don't care if he did order me to keep you all safe. You [&@%!] this up and I'll not only let the bandits get you, I'll thank them." Talira said obviously still worked up from battle, judging from her execution of the Ox, she wasn't lying

"I think what she's trying to say is keep the bloodshed to a minimum, and we will all get along swimmingly." Valadrir said trying to smooth things over. "We will continue another league or so and set up camp for this cycle, now let's just get out of here..." Valadrir said his voice ended sounding hoarse as if he was choking back some kind of emotion. With a shake of the reigns, the caravan began to move slowly down the road. Cliff helped Faqarl to his feet, and pressed on.

Mizu fluttered over to the prince and gently took a seat on his shoulder as a perch. "You mind?" she asked, a hint of mischief in her voice. She held no malicious intent; she was just gleeful to sit on the shoulder of someone so important without asking. Oh, how she loved breaking rules, even unspoken ones.

"Not at all. I'm glad for the company honestly..." Valadrir trailed off, visibly shown from the events that had come to pass.

Mizu shrugged and got comfortable on the prince's shoulder, a bit disappointed that there was no shooing or arguing. Oh well, she would be able to get a rise out of someone eventually.

"Well, it isn't so bad." she mused as she looked to the sky from her perch. "Could've been some innocent people. I mean, they did attack us first, you know."

"That's not really the point, killing, even when it seems justified, is wrong. While the world will be better off without them, they still had lives of their own. Aspirations, dreams, and... Memories. They were sons and daughters of people just like us, now they're bleached bones in the dirt." Valadrir, solidifying his position in being an emotional, angsty teen.

"Oh boy, talk about a downer." Mizu responded, humming to herself as she lazily inspected her nails. "You're gonna inherit your dad's throne, right? Crown prince and all that? Don't you think he has to make hard decisions like that all the time?"

Catching herself before she went too far with that train of though, the Sidhe cleared her throat and continued. "I'm just saying, greater good and all that, right? It's either them or some family on the outskirts of the city. Besides, that curse that your friend placed on them seems like it'll do the trick."

"You will make a weak emperor." Kúter told the prince. "unless you harden your heart and step up to the task of making hard decisions. If you do not, you will fail during times of war and risk losing all alliegances." The Dzárg informed the prince. "Crush your enemies and show no mercy. Others will think twice about attacking you and you can use fear itself against them." He said to the prince. "Needless slaughter is for goblins and other vermin." He told Valadir. The Dzárg viewed all goblins as vermin after slaughtering 90% of their race 50 years ago after a goblin warband destroyed a village. Before that, the goblins had been a nusiance and only attacked villages. They were usually defeated before any real harm was done to the villages but the Dzárgs did not take having a village of theirs razed to the ground so they declared war on them. It was a quick war due to the superior tatics and fighting skills of the Dzárg army.

As the cart moved on its way again, Malek was glad that the bandit escapade was over. He hoped they could spend the next few hours leisurely strolling in the night, without encountering anymore resistance.

He ripped up the piece of paper that he had drawn his knives on and put the bits in his pocket.

"It takes more than just fear to be a good emperor, Kuter. While this may deter your enemies, it does little to inspire the people. Those that live an honest life and work hard want a leader who can show both mercy and diligence, aswell as toughness. It can take a lot more strength to spare someone than to kill them."

He did not care if the Dzarg gave a response or not. He knew what it would be without any words needing to be said.
'We show no mercy. A leader needs to crush his enemies to show them that he is worthy...bla, bla, bla'

Being around these maniacs made Paz uncomfortable, it was only a matter of time until one or more of them started murdering and torturing people. "Good thing Kuter isn't an emperor then." said Paz. "Personally I don't see why circumstance of birth should determine who rules over who. A noble having a disagreement with another noble, sending out the people they rule over that weren't fortunate enough to be born nobles to kill people who just happened to live somewhere else. It's crazy."

"For other races, prehaps." Kúter told Malek as he kept his eyes on the remaining bandits. "Emperors are not warriors." The Dzárg told Paz. "They are glorified kings and rely on legions of warriors to protect them. Most are ill trained in the use of melee and have met their downfall when their legions have fallen to their enemy." He told Paz. "Some merchants would serve better as advisers. Some warriors would serve better as kings and queens. Your birth does not have a role in it and you must fight to earn your desired place." He said to both Paz and Malek.