B5C15 Roux

What caught my attention, however, was how many people were huddled within, easily five hundred– maybe more. They were clumped together in small groups, some huddling for warmth or comfort, and others staring around with wide eyes.

That changed the closer they got to the front of the temple, opposite us, where a large fire and several robed figures stood. They were too far away to make out much other than the grey cloaks and the names above their heads. I couldn't make out the details.

As the crowds of civilians got closer, however, the panic seemed to evaporate. Rather than huddle or cry, they sat on their knees, chanting and staring ahead with unfaltering focus. It didn't seem natural. They were too rigid, too stiff, too in unison. It reminded me of the Labour Caste in Mistral, who had held us down as ordered by Tyrian. What was going on here?

"I see we have guests," the robed figure at the pyre said. He didn't shout, nor did he seem to raise his voice, but it carried to us easily, despite the distance and the chanting – which didn't cease. I couldn't place the voice, even if I was sure I'd heard it before.

[...]

A scream from behind chilled me to my bone. One of the Labour Caste had been hit with a stray bit of flame, which was now eating up the side of her body. Despite that, she continued to chant, arms held above her head, face frozen in a rictus of terror.

I could go back and stomp out the flames – but that would leave me open, and directly in the middle of an entire crowd of innocent people. I'd make an easy target and so many would die with me, her included.

"Put out your flames!" the cloaked figure at the head of the temple commanded. The woman froze, but quickly seemed to regain control of her body and rolled to the side, dousing them. "Do not waste your life here, child. Come." He gestured for her to walk toward him.

"Don't!" I snapped back.

[...]

"Rejoice," the man at the front said, arms held high. "You shall become a part of something greater than you ever could before. Go now, go and be with her."

"No," the woman begged loudly. "No, please. No!"

Despite her words, the woman stepped past the man – and walked into the burning pyre.

Her screams echoed shrilly, before they stopped.

[...]

The Greycloak turned to us as we charged forward. Corvo was faster than me, unsurprising given my poor Agility. He raced forwards with both swords ready to cut the man's feet from under him, but the figure turned and raised both hands, revealing no weapon. Instead, he barked a single command.

"HALT!"

I tripped.

It was hard to explain, but I tripped. Both my feet had stopped working for an instant, and since my momentum was still very much forwards, I fell hard, only just catching the floor with my shoulder as I skittered forward. Corvo was no better, practically somersaulting into the steps leading up to the dais and cracking his head against it. He wasn't knocked out but he'd cut himself badly and gripped it with one hand. His swords flew away.

The other soldier took it far worse. His body locked up almost immediately and he fell onto his knees, eyes widen and chest rising and falling desperately. His entire body trembled, seeking to obey the command.

[...]


His eyes trailed over us, but lit up when he saw that one of our party had already reached the dais. "Come, General. It will be such delicious irony to see you be the one responsible for summoning her. Your grief, your pain and your anger will feed the flames and feed the ritual."

Corvo stood, unable to stop himself. He tried to reach for his weapons but his feet dragged him away before he could, almost like a marionette who had lost all strings but those that controlled his lower body. It was obvious from his face that he fought every step.

"I… I refuse," Corvo bit out.

"Oh, but you shall, General. Know that your pain will bring about the ruin of all you know here. Step into the flames."

Corvo's body shook. "N-No. I refuse."

"Step into the flames," the Greycloak repeated calmly. The power of his words seemed to become greater and Corvo groaned, shuddering forward.