Marcus made an impressive figure, beautiful in his fury he stood seething in the doorway like an avenging angel. A red haze seemed to infiltrate his vision as the blood pounded in his ears; they would all die for this, how dare they harm his Esca? HIS ESCA!
Placidus was hurriedly trying to right his robes whilst squawking orders at his guards, his coward's heart raced in terror because he could see the murderous intent in Marcus's eyes, the former soldier's hard composure terrified the spoilt noble; Placidus would have expected hysteria or rash action but the calm certainty of his opponents anger frightened him all the more. All his vile plans were crumbling around him and he had no idea of what to do, so frozen to the spot like a startled deer all Placidus could do was watch as Marcus quickly dispatched his guards. The sound of metal biting into flesh could easily turn the stomach and there was nothing glorious in the death throws of the fallen men who now lay silent and still with their own blood pooling around them.
The tension in the room could be cut with a knife it was almost tangible, the metallic scent of blood began to waft through the air, Marcus wiped the crimson liquid from his face; the men at his feet hadn't deserved quick deaths but they were between him and Esca therefore the roman couldn't afford to prolong their torture as he would have liked to. Placidus however would be a different matter entirely, he would beg for death before Marcus would grant him it.
Mixed emotions writhed within the former legionnaire like unhappy snakes, the cool composure on the outside was but a mask for the turmoil that lurked within. His dark eyes had seen the fear and shame lurking within Esca's, the whole scenario horrified him and a bloodlust like he had never known claimed him, he would make Placidus pay for this!
Placidus sensing his impending doom in the approaching Marcus resorted to a last resort, pulling out his personal dagger he grasped a handful of the fair Britons hair and pressed the icy metal against Esca's vulnerable throat.
"One more move and he dies!"