"Did you ever stop to consider," he said, pausing to run a gloved finger along the edge of the platform, causing it to sway slightly, "that perhaps your Chief of Operations wasn't the hero of that particular story? That perhaps he was merely... a convenient scapegoat? Or better yet, a carefully crafted myth designed to instill fear in the hearts of other kingdoms?"
Fletra's eyes flashed with defiance, her mouth opening to defend the Chief's honor, but the man raised his hand, his scarred face twisting into a cruel smile that silenced her more effectively than any shout could have.
"Spare me your blind devotion. The faith of the uninformed is as worthless as copper in a platinum mine."
He moved closer to the platform, reaching up to grasp one of the chains.
"Do you know what's in that cauldron?" he asked conversationally, as if discussing the weather over tea rather than implementing a torture device.
