Keeping Order

Keeping Order is the twenty-ninth chapter of Tales of Sheol'gotha:  Shadow of the Abaddon.

Synopsis
In Valon's absence, Palus, while dealing with problems such as infighting and black market trade within the legion, has been forced to hang a number of soldiers, and assign others suspended sentences with the intent of carrying them out at a later date. Those caught stealing or trading illegal items would have had their hands removed, but that would have been counterproductive to their military goals. Imma explains what happened, causing Palus concern over the matter of marrowfiends. He details to her what sort of lord Haebin is, and how he is scarcely active in his region, causing any number of problems for those that live there. He suspects something going on between the vampires, but doesn't assume it to be a good thing.

Palus settles down for the night, but is awoken by a soldier who alerts the general to the culprit being found for a report of stolen supplies. When Palus arrives he finds it to be Schurr who is accused, and though Palus tries to dismiss it, Gadden arrives to push for punishment. Schurr admits to doing so and Palus is disarmed, unable to overrule the decision or appeal it. Refusing execution, Gadden promotes lashes, and Palus fails to get any information out of Schurr whatsoever.

The next morning Schurr is led to the center of town to be lashed by a whip containing both studs and barbs. Asus rushes up, demanding this stop, but Soltas drags the siegemaster away and Palus explains to him that this is happening regardless of whether Asus wants it to. When Asus admits he took the supplies, Palus points out that a lashing will happen regardless, but Schurr already admitted to it. The lashlayer declares the number to be assigned, and at Valon's gesture begins, tearing through Schurr's back. Each stroke comes faster and harder until he hits twenty-six, at which point he stops. Valon declares that anyone else caught disobeying will suffer worse, and demands the soldiers prepare to march, causing a rush of movement.

Palus and Asus approach Schurr, finding the behemoth breathing heavily. Asus asks why Schurr didn't tell them the truth, to which Schurr states that friends, eso-adara, and brothers don't break promises, and that he had promised to protect Asus.

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