Punishment and Mercy

[*Midnight]

((OOC: The following post contains scenes of mild torture if you think you wouldn't like this please stop now.

Deep within the Tower of the Wyrm Jentia strode grimly towards her appointed task she had no idea why SwanÂ’s Son had asked her in particular, it was not administering punishment she minded, already in her short time as a mercy killer she had wielded the blade that had ended a criminalÂ’s life, but those others had been murderers, rapists , evil men who had deserved the punishment that the law had prescribed them, their deaths had made her feel, not pleased with herself but satisfied she was implementing justice this was different though. This was different though some poor sod from the hive that had been caught stealing because he was starving his punishment did not seem in proportion to his crime. Her reflections were cut short, she had arrived at the door to the cell he was being held at, she took a deep breath and a moment to steel herself before she used her free hand to reach to her belt and take the key she turned it and slid back the bolt the door opening with a deep grating sound she stepped through it and surveyed the room before her.

The cell was basic as one would expect the lack of a bed however would suggest it is not the one he had been housed in during his brief stay at the prison but one he had been brought to specifically for his punishment to be carried out the brazier burning in the center of the room confirmed this. Then there was the man himself stripped to the waste he was shackled to the wall he was lean and muscled his skin possessed of a healthy tan and his dark hair hung around his shoulders, after days of neglect in the prison his face sported a few days growth of hair which complimented his overall appearance to give him a dark rugged look. Jentia mused that he would look rather attractive were it not for the look of abject terror on his face. Terror which she seemed to be the focus of, or rather the iron she carried in her right hand was the focus of. She began to heat the branding iron in the flame. He was staring at her she had best say something. She spoke crisply and calmly in a cool tone that suggested none of her inner conflict.

“Tumos Klaarsan you were apprehended for the crime of thievery by the Harmonium the Fraternity of Order have found you guilty and sentenced you to be branded as a thief, a sentence which will be carried out by the Mercykillers.”

He recoiled as far back as his chains would allow and stammered a reply.

“Please it’s not that simple, there are no jobs in the hive no opportunities for us, I have a family to feed.”

Jentia was not unmoved by his plight and she resolved in that moment to help him, in her own way

“None the less you have broken the law and you must face punishment for it, a punishment which will mark you as a thief and make it harder to repeat your crime, something which in the long run may well save your soul.”

Her tone softened slightly

“I happen to know there is a job for an apprentice smith at the foundry you seem like a young strong man I’ll speak to them and see if you can be afforded a chance.”

A look of hope dawned on his face

“You’d do that for-“

She cuts him off

“Yes and should you let me down the punishment for a repeat offence will be much more severe and it will be one I carry out personally. Before we get ahead of ourselves there is the punishment at hand.”

She pulled the brand from the flames the end of it white hot now

“This would be easier if you knelt”

She waited for him to do so and without warning pressed the brand forward against his forehead there was a sickening stench of burning flesh as the man before her screamed loudly the noise ringing around the small cell and bouncing of the walls she forced herself to look down at the brand at the damage it did and felt her convictions strengthened. He was not an evil man, he was worthy of a second chance, worthy of forgiveness, but before he could be forgiven he had to do penance for his crimes. There was room to be merciful to those deserving of it, but mercy had to begin with punishment, and this she began to understand is why she had been given this task.

[*Selebius]

Outside the cell Julius waits for her, the gears and pistons of his Mechanus forged armour whirring and clicking as he pushes away from the wall he leant against. The red light of the torches dances over the angles and polished plates, reflected and throwing shadows in interesting ways making his appearance almost surreal.

You are a rare one, namer.

Stepping a bit closer he folds up his helmet- no need to hide his face from her. His movements are smooth which is rare for a man of his bulk, his eyes are fixed on hers like a predators.

You do not enjoy this.

He gestures at the cell's door and the whimpering man behind it.

I wonder if he survives. I wonder if he learned. Most of all I wonder if we see him again.

A smile plays over his lips enhacing his already predatory appearance. The smile is cold, with a hint of sadism but also somehow... disappointed?

I doubt anyone will want to work with him... or buy from him now that he wears the mark.

Hunger and cold are wicked... they make people do things.... yes. I think we will see him again. Do you look forward to it?

[*Midnight]

As Jentia exits the cell she recognises the man waiting for her by his distinctive armour as he talks her fingers close involuntarily around the haft of the branding iron in her hand as he folds back his helmet her eyes stare back at his bare face her gaze doesnÂ’t leave his as if openly daring him to follow through on the threat his body language presents.

“Enjoy this no, if I enjoyed it would be a hobby not a duty.”

She turns around and draws closed the eye slot on the cell door behind her and then glances over JuliusÂ’ shoulder checking they are alone.

“You’re right though in time he will come to fear cold and hunger more than what we can do to him, so I will give him an alternative even if I have to get him a job cleaning out the cells.”

Her voice is slow and steady almost a low growl in the other MercykillerÂ’s direction.

“And this will stop him from offending again and this is how justice is best served and you will I am sure be praying for my success because that’s why we do all this isn’t it? Justice. Or is this just a hobby for you?”

She doesnÂ’t seem intent on waiting for an answer as she goes to make her way past him.

[*Selebius]

His laughter is echoing in the corridor the sound not very pleasant and answered by a fearful whimpering in a nearby cell.

There is nothing wrong to enjoy one's chosen profession... as I enjoy mine.
Justice has to be served but the way we do this is ours to choose. Mercy.... shall be none of them as are we not called Mercykillers for exactly this reason?

We will see if this.... trash will take the second chance you are offering him.

His lips curl into a faint smile, a smile that does not reach his eyes.

But no... I do not pray for you to succeed. If you fail the failure is yours.... and yours alone. Justice did not fail then.... only a frail mortal failed at her task.

He chuckles dryly.

Justice is bigger than both of us. It shall not.... cannot fail.

[*Midnight]

She walks passed him walking away as he talks, she struggles hard to keep her composure, not to be provoked by his words or the dry chuckle that erupts from the manÂ’s throat she almost makes it to the end of the hallway before she turns around rounding angrily on him, she regrets it almost as soon as she does it but her course is set now so she takes a breath to compose herself and to keep her tone calm and level although icy cold.

“And what would you do? His sentence has been carried out according to the law. Any other punishment you’d inflict is just you indulging your own disgusting whims, don’t try and tell yourself different.”

She takes another deep breath again to compose herself, her countenance a carefully arranged expression of calm so in contrast to the turmoil behind it.

“He’s committed a crime, and he’s been punished for it, his debt is wiped clean, if he commits another crime he’ll be punished again, and it is something I’ll do myself without hesitation, but if that happens I will do it with a clear conscience knowing I have done all I can to prevent it.”

[*Selebius]

He listens to her calmy and does not hide his amusement over her rather strong reaction. Indeed it seems that he enjoys the Paladin's anger and conflicting emotions- and so he decides to push her just a bit farther.

A clear conscience. Perhaps repeating it again and again will be enough that one day you believe the words you just spoke.

His voice, deep and rich, has no troubles to reach her despite the distance between them. Ignoring the barbs she threw at him he does not let himself baited to attack her on a (too) personal level.

The punishment was according to laws made by the Fraternity of Order. How much do you think the Guvners care about Justice? Do you think their laws are made with our ideals in mind?

Food for thought, namer.

I for myself serve Justice.... not the Harmonium, not the Guvners.

[*Midnight]

She responds resolutely his challenge strengthening and igniting her faith causing her to forget the doubts that had lingered in her mind before the sentence she had just carried out. She stands her ground.

”Yes a clear conscience because I know what I do serves justice.”

A smile crosses her lips as she turns his words against him

“Justice that is bigger than us, it must be enshrined by the law, it is not for you as an individual to decide what is just unjust, that way leads to chaos.”

[*Selebius]

Of course he feels her change of mood, feels her finding her resolve again. His smile is... pleased? Yes, pleased, almost smug.

Better. This is the spirit, now you believe what you say. You looked pathetic with all those doubts in your face.

There is a pause before he adresses what she said last and it is clear that he enjoys the verbal sparring with her and he enjoys it even more when he feels her hostility towards him.

Something enshrined lost its purpose. It becomes something to be worshipped, to be admired and looked upon, but it is not used anymore.

Also.. don't you agree that it is law that must be just and not justice bending over for law?

Too often we act upon Laws made by self serving, egoistic mortals who use this very laws to escape Justice.

So are you still willing to follow that laws? Even if it requires to abandon justice itself?

[*Midnight]

She does seem surer of her convictions now though whether she seems grateful or even pleased is doubtful her tone is less filled with bile now slightly more reasoned.

“Justice cannot exist without law though it is something so powerful that one individual such as you or I cannot decide what is just or unjust we are again just like you say frail mortals fallible. Law is how we are held to account what keeps justice just. When it is left to individuals to decide what is just that again is when we run the risk of chaos.”

[*Selebius]

He laughs lightly and then... bows to her.

Well said, namer. Lets make this perfect multiverse you are speaking of, shall we?

But until everything works together like Mechanus' cogs I think we will have to be vigilant and remember that it is us who serve Justice.