Archolia Chapter 41 - The Knight

Sir Ivan does not hesitate in setting out for the town square.  He finally has a solution for his witch problem.
“You cannot do this!” The witch yells when Ivan announces her execution to all in town square.
“It is done.  The constable is on his way,” Ivan responds.
“On this day in front of these witnesses, our Queen, Her majesty Chalyela Fletcher has approved the execution of said party, Witch Tregereth , who shall be executed by being thrown into the pit of the beast, “ Town Crier Bertram reads from the official  scroll.
As if in anticipation, the beast roars and growls deep within his pit.  Fog billows out of the endless hole in the ground along with the putrid smell of long dead meat and decomposed flesh.
“Come with me!” Constable demands in his rough, deep voice. 
“What?  You are making a mistake!” Witch Tregereth pleads. 

“Now!” The constable barks out, swinging his heavy sword upward in one effortless motion.
Town Crier Bertram rings his bell, gathering a crowd to witness the execution of the Witch.  It has been ages since anyone has witnessed an execution.
The executioner takes his place at the pit.  He knows that the beast will be satisfied for a long time with fresh human flesh filling his belly.
As the witch approaches the pit, Town Crier Bertram continues reading from his scroll, “You have been accused with the crime of witchcraft and other heretic practices outside of the realm of the Watcher.  You shall be tossed into the pit of the beast.  Should you escape the clutches  of the beast, you shall be returned to the pit until you are indeed dead.  Because of the nature of your crime, you will be allowed no final words.”
Tregereth naturally resists going to the pit, but is forced to the plank by the constable and executioner.  Unable to chant a spell to overpower so many at once, she has no choice but to obey.
The witch opens her mouth to speak.  For fear that the witch would chant a spell, she is not allowed an opportunity to so much as open her mouth. “If you speak one word, you shall also feel the wrath of my sword in addition to the teeth of the beast!” The executioner threatens.
The witch slowly walks across the plank.  Her blood red eyes find Sir Ivan.  She would give anything to curse him one last time, but the executioner’s threat has frightened her.  If she can get him to look her in the  eye, she could curse him without words.   She stares, willing him to look at her, but  Ivan is careful to avoid her eyes.
The witch continues to stare at Ivan to no avail.  Her hate for him is so strong that she risks it all to attempt one last curse.  She opens her mouth to begin the incantation, but immediately feels the executioner’s weapon pressing into her stomach. 
Her eyes bugged in fear, staring a fire gaze at the man who has caused her destruction, she is forced to back up until she is at the edge of the plank.
She hesitates, but is pushed in by the executioner’s weapon.
The witch tumbles and falls into the fog until she can no longer be seen.

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