As the prisoners marched in line, chains clinking with every step, Daemon silently studied the island. Soldiers stood at every corner watchtowers, fences laced with magic, even flying familiars in the sky. Escaping from here meant choosing death.
Not that I haven't died before, he thought grimly.
"Aaah!" A sudden scream broke through the quiet.
"Captain!" a soldier called out, dragging a prisoner by the collar. "This bastard tried to run. I caught him trying to scale the dock fence."
Captain Timothy stepped forward, eyes cold. "Trying to escape already?" He clicked his tongue. "Tsk. Good. You'll make a perfect example for the newcomers."
"Please—please forgive me!" the man cried, dropping to his knees.
Timothy didn't even hesitate. He grabbed the man by the hair, raised his left hand, and seared a spell into the prisoner's chest. Flames burst through flesh as the man howled in agony, his screams echoing across the dock.
