"Take them away."
The guards lunged. They hauled Elder Watson to his feet first; he thrashed wildly, screaming at the top of his lungs. "Please! Have mercy! I don't want to die! I'm sorry! Please!" His voice cracked into a high-pitched wail, legs kicking uselessly as they dragged him backward.
Elder James fought too, but dirtier—clawing at the guards' arms, shrieking, "I'm innocent! He's framing me! My king, have mercy!" His denials rang hollow, desperate lies that fooled no one.
The crowd parted like the sea, murmurs turning to outright boos as the men were hauled toward the grand doors.
The doors slammed shut behind them with a thunderous sound, cutting off their screams mid-plea.
A tense silence swallowed the hall, heavy and electric. Everyone stared at the empty space where the
