Death or Disgrace
The town square of London was filled with cheering people from all over the ever growing town, which had become more of a city, people crying and already mourning the deaths of the 5 men. They had attempted the over throw the Cardinal, each with their own role. The thief, Albert Kemp. The mechanist, Harold Barrone. The vigilante, Edward Woolnough. The pilot, Andrew Illingworth. And the prince of London, Ruple Beveridge. They had all come together to overpower the pious ruler who had wormed his way into the kings head, now the town/city was at war with each other. What the people didn't know was the cardinal who had ordered the hanging of their only savior was a creature that had climbed up from the very pits of hell. An undead bloodsucker. A vampire.
Each of the 5 men stood up above the still growing crowd. They had gotten this far together to discover the truth, and now they were to die together.
"Admit it, we did pretty damn good" The thief laughed, the other scowling at him before cracking themselves. "It was a true honor, my friends" He spoke softly this time, looking at his feet.
"I would not have wished to share this battle with anyone else, men. We fought together, and we'll die together as we had predicted. Except princey." The vigilante proceeded to comment, taking the two hands either side of his. They all stood, holding hand, unafraid of their fate.
"If you hadn't gotten caught, we would be here you insolent bastard!" The prince yelled before smiling "It was so worth it, though."
"You five men have been found guilty of mutiny..." The Cardinal walked out, fully covered in his thick robes
"Boys, its show time!" The vigilante yelled, their supporters letting out a loud cheer before being silenced by a loud roar from the undead cardinal.
"You have been sentenced to public hanging by the king of Grandomonia. Your father, Ruple. May the devil take no mercy on your bastard souls. Do you have any final words, gentlemen?" The silence filled the smokey air "I have something to say, not to you, filth. But to these men who stand before you," The prince started "I wish to thank you for your company. I wish to thank you for your years of service to the true ruler of this land. Not to a vicious preacher who dares to take over th-" Before the prince could finish his words the floor beneath them collapsed.
The five bodies hung lifelessly, still holding hands. A symbol of courage.
The cardinal slowly entered his new place, the corpses of the king and queen laying in the courtyard floor, drained of blood from the minute puncture wound on their necks. What he didn't know, their child had gone to live far away.