B6C15

Once done, I took a step towards the King, and then another.

"Stop!" he barked. I felt the command hit me. Wash over me. I kept moving. "Halt!" he yelled. Same effect. "Put down your weapon! Stop! STOP!"

"Charisma," I said softly, casually. "It's a funny thing. In small numbers it seems to be innocent. Convincing someone to spend a little more, to like you, to listen to your point of view. There's nothing wrong with that because the person on the other side still has the choice to say no. I thought that was alright." I shook my head and sighed. "I never realised how monstrous it really is."

Lord Roux had shown me, but even then, I had questioned it – for his Soldiers had remained loyal to Vale and fought alongside Mistral's own. He'd impressed his will on the innocent civilians, but that might have been obedience through fear. I should have known better.

"How does the Noble Caste rule when they are so much weaker than the Hero Caste?" I questioned. "I thought it might be an arrangement. Something that helped both parties. But it's different, isn't it? Oh, I'm sure some Nobles are honourable and do well. Maybe most of them. But then, there will always be those like you, won't there? Those who take it further."

His good hand lashed out when I came near. I kicked viciously, sending the dagger flying and earning a cry from him. My foot stomped down on his chest, pinning him flat and preventing him from moving.

"Convincing someone to listen to your point of view is fine. But what you did to her, and what you no doubt did to others, was not just that. You imposed your will on them. You mind-raped them."

"STOP!" he screamed.

Another wave of force hit me. I had to grit my teeth to ride past it but beat it I did. A little blood ran down my chin from where I'd bit my tongue. My teeth were bloody as I smiled. I took Crocea Mors in both hands and raised it up to eye-level, the tip pointed down towards his heart.

"Just like you're trying to do the same to me."