He raises his head at the jangle of keys. The gaoler opens the door for an immaculately dressed man he knows as Lord Commander Volk.
‘Lord Commander,’ he rasps. ‘There’s been some terrible mistake. My men and I were apprehended at the city gates and led here.’
‘No mistake, Captain,’ says Volk, standing over him. ‘You and your men have been arrested on my orders.’
That hits him like a bucket of iced water. ‘What? I don't understand. We snatched victory from the jaws of defeat at the Battle of Bandesh, we persuaded the Traitor Lord Gan to his hidden fortress where we brought him to justice. We are heroes of the empire!’
‘Yes you are,’ says Volk with a rueful smile. ‘And you disobeyed orders to do it all.’
He opens his mouth to speak but finds no words to fill the void opening in his gut.
‘No one is above the law, Captain,’ says Volk. ‘You will be executed tomorrow, in secret, uncelebrated, and anyone who dares breathes your name will meet the same fate. Good day.’
Paddy Dobson
26th December 2023