Snippet #2472349

When the Queen had tasked him with hunting down and killing his traitor of a father, he'd expected it to take quite awhile. Years. Possibly decades. Especially since it was actually her first order after he became her military commander and he would have many things to keep him busy. He also knew that if he had turned traitor and ran he wouldn't be easy to find either.

So to say that not even ten years after being given the order, and having only been able to spend a month or two each year actively searching, stumbling across his father in the streets of newly conquered city was a surprise would be an understatement.

“Well...this is...unexpected,” his father said.

“Unexpected but not unsought.”

“You've been looking for me I take it.”

“For the last eight cycles.”

“At the queens command I presume.”

“Of course.”

“I don't suppose you'd consider just letting me go, would you?”

“No.”

“Still...bitter then?”

“What in the world would I have to be bitter about.”

“So, nothing personal about this then?”

“Oh, I didn't say that.”

“So you ARE bitter.”

“And I said you've done nothing to me to be bitter about.”

“Ah. Sarcasm. But I'm sure you understand it wasn't intentional. You know how busy the position is. Inspections, patrols, training, promotions, briefings, missions, and of course you have to keep your own self in top condition.”

“You made time for Dalmar.”

Xanthom visibly winced, “About that-”

He was cut off as all the surrounding shadows struck at him, wrapping around his arms, legs, torso and neck. “Xanthom, you have betrayed your Queen, your Country, your Province, you people, and you have betrayed me. Prepare to die,” and Ivagio drew his sword.

The shadow bindings shattered and Xanthom spoke again, “You don't have to do this,” he said, palms held outward.

“Yes, yes I do. And I am GRATEFUL for the opportunity!” he said and slashed his sword through the air. “You forgot what was at stake! You yourself should be grateful that this is your punishment! She could have wiped out our city! She could have chosen to have ME killed for your crimes!”

“Son, you don't really understand what's going on here, you need to let me expl-urk!”

“NO!” he screamed at Xanthom, who was now being suspended in the air, arms held out to his sides, feet bound together, and this head pulled back, “You don't get to explain!” And then in a flash Ivagio had crossed the intervening distance and struck his sword straight through Xanthom's heart, “You get to die.”