A part of Morwin was happy. Happy that Lord Demarian found the one piece of clothing that linked Justicar to that inn. Happy that he wouldn’t have to be the one to go and reveal Justicar’s dealings. That he could masquerade as this so-called Ally of Justice while secretly wanting this organization to fall. Morwin shook those thoughts out of his head. He didn’t know what to believe or how to feel.

  “Morwin,g Galvin whispered, his voice hiding a whirlwind of rage. “Please tell me you did not leave that somewhere and forget about it.”

  “I’m sorry,” Morwin spoke. “What is he going to do now?”

  “Now he is going to investigate. He will be the scariest Minster of Labor and find all those who aided in the escape at his gem mines.”

  Morwin watched as Demarian approached the inn owner and exchanged some words. He could not hear what was being said from where they sat. If they got any closer, they’d risk being seen. A man stepped forth from the crowd of people weasring a colorful robe adorned with many sapphires and a pendant on his chest, similar to the keepsake that Morwin had.

  “Oh no,” Galvin breathed.

  Morwin recognized that man. He’d come to the De’Shai manor multiple times when Morwin was younger. He and his father always discussed business. Morwin caught glimpses and whispers, but he’d been too young to understand what they were saying. All he remembered was around the time of the Battle of Rathalin, this stranger stopped by more and more often.

  “Who is he?” Morwin asked.

  “Ashwin,” Galvin said. “He is a Screener. Dragikiri who’ve honed their skills beyond comprehension in a specific gemstone. He can use sapphires in ways no one imagined possible.” He sighed. “Those poor patrons. Their minds are going to be broken.”

  One by one, the soldiers ushered a different resident forward. They handled them like livestock, giving no considerations of gentleness.

  Morwin balled his fists. No, this was not the Lord Demarian he knew. He would not treat these people like animals. That man stood for more than that. He was one of the men who gave inspiration to Morwin for what he should be like. And here he was, smiling with an ominous cruelty as the patrons were shoved and thrown forward.

  Ashwin approached one. With a wide palm, he struck the first person, grabbing hold of his face whole. The resident screamed.

  “He could focus some essence to make this a more pleasant experience for them, but Ashwin is not very known for being a pleasant man.”

  After some screaming, the knelt person fell forwards. Not dead, but also not really alive either.

  Ashwin looked at Lord Demarian and shook his head. One by one, the others were ushered up to the Screener and the result was the same each time. Some screaming, then they fell. Before long, a pile of bodies accumulated, with the inn owner having a horified expression, pleading with Lord Demarian to stop his actions. But the Minister of Labor did not listen. The cries of that feeble man fell on deaf ears, as the reputation of that inn owner was reduced to shambles.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  “What exactly did the Screener do?”

  “When someone becomes as powerful in sapphires like him, he can basically read minds,” Galvin answered. He then turned to Morwin, a serious and stern look on his face. “When you ran to our room, did anyone see you?”

  “Everyone,” Morwin whispered.

  “Oh Agnius save our souls,” Galvin whispered. “They will know you’re involved.”

  Morwin clutched the sapphire necklace, now devoid of any heartbeat. “No they won’t,” he answered. “Thanks to this thing.”

  “For your sake and mine, you better hope that’s the case.”

  Their questions were answered when Lord Demarian let out a cry of anger, slammed his sword into the ground, and picked the inn owner by the collar.

  The scene before Morwin shook him. “Galvin,” he breathed. “Lord Demarian, he doesn’t look too pleased.”

  “Yeah no kidding. I’m afraid there’s nothing we can do.”

  Lord Demarian dragged the man back to his inn and tossed him inside. With a snap of his fingers, a couple men from the legion stepped forwards. Morwin didn’t need enhanced sight to see they carried rubies in their palms.

  A circle of fire formed around them before all being directed into a single point. The inn owner ran for the door, but a powerful blast of fire tore the doors from its hinges, the wood splitting in two, some scraps disintegrating immediately.

  Before Morwin knew what happened, the building was in flames, smoke rising higher and higher and filling the air with the scent of acrid ash. He could hear the screams of the innowner.

  “Galvin please,” Morwin spoke. “You have to go help him. With the gems, you might be able to pull him out of there!’

  Galvin slowly shook his head. “It’s just the two of us,” he said, the sound of quiet resignation in his voice. “That man won’t be escaping.”

  Morwin lunged from the bush. An iron grip held him back and yanked him back down. He tried to Absorb some essence from the igians, but they were devoid of any essence within them.

  Maybe he could get the amethyst to the innkeeper somehow. But by then, his screams could no longer be heard. The only sound in the clearing was the thunderous crackling of the intense fire.

  “This is why we fight,” Galvin spoke. “To go against people like this. This is what I wanted you to see.”

  “Did you know this would happen?” Morwin demanded.

  “No. But I knew something would happen. I expected all of the patrons to die, but I guess the Minister of Labor has some mercy within him today.” Galvin drew in a deep breath. “I think we’ve seen enough. Let’s get going.”