C16 Winner

The announcer was daring and he again came forward with another parchment, the crowd had enough of him. If he doesn't explain everything, the people would surely trample him on his way home today. Someone among the crowd had whispered the address of his house.

Announcer heard them muttering his address, he decided if the parchment didn't quench their curiosity he would stay at the palace today. He gulped, steeled his heart, and started in his high pitched voice "Ladies and gentlemen, those who are willing for a chance to earn gold coin would be given a stone and they have to hit the support below the wooden plank on which these cruel persons stand. If your hit is successful and the person falls you would be given a gold coin."

"However rules are like this, men below 12 years and women would throw from 35 meters away and others from 50 meters away, and in case of dispute, the decision of the prince would be final and binding on everyone." the announcer sighed in relief, with a radiant smile he left the platform for a drink, he needed a jug of ale badly. 

People were given around ten minutes to digest the information provided to them. Nothing mattered to the crowd except the fact that they would have a chance at the contest. Everyone was happy but those who had come with all family members were extra happy.

Of course, the prisoners weren't delighted, who would be delighted if their death ceremony was made a game, a bloody hell aiming competition. However, no one paid them any heed just like they had never cared for the lives of others. 

The executioner was ready, the audiences and participants were eager, prisoners were reluctant but who cares. The noose was beautifully swinging along the direction of air as if welcoming the prisoners. Sun wasn't interested in the show and thus, hid behind the fluffy cloud, relieving the masses of dehydration problem.

The executioner set the plank and support and cross-checked it. The tall man in black trousers turned to Eric, "Master. Who come. First."

"Have you checked the strength of the beams and noose?" Eric asked. The executioner jumped and gripped the cross beam ad did some pull-ups, then he replied "It Strong." then he went to the noose and was about to put his head in it. Eric suddenly shouted "Stop, Stop. I am sure of its strength." Eric paused and muttered under his breath, "need to be careful around this blockhead."

The list prepared according to their crimes was taken by Evans' assistant to the Guards. Duke was the first person on the list and he had committed or participated in about 32 major crimes. He was unwilling from inside but his face remained blank as he was pushed by guards to the second platform. From there on the executioner freed him of shackles and with a clinging sound, they fell to the ground.

Executioner led him to the noose and fitted the noose around his neck in no time. The Duke closed his eyes, he didn't want to see his death being made a spectacle. 

People swarmed near the guards, "Prince had commanded that the first stone will be given to a lady," the guard announced.

A lady came forward and received the stone. Two parallel lines were made one for 35 meters category other for the 50 meters. The game began with the first line i.e of women.

Duke heard the commotion at a distance. When suddenly everything came to standstill, he held his breath. But soon the chattering started again, the woman failed. For the first time he had some expression on his face, he smirked as if mocking the woman, huh! He was a duke and that weak woman wanted to be his death, huh!.

The first man also missed the target, dismayed he was told to go at the end of the line. Even if his life was hanging on the frail wooden support, his contempt for the commoners wasn't gone. His smirk changed to a mocking smile as more and more people failed to hit the support. 

He was counting and again the crowd got silent, this was the eleventh time. But this time instead of chatterings crowd cheered, it blinded his senses and he found himself hanging in air gasping for breath instead of his planned mocking laughter, How could a woman be my end, end of this duke, Nooo.  

This was the end, the noose tightened around his neck, his body jerked in air. He tried to raise his leg involuntarily for support instead it swung his body, rotating. His eyes bulged and his face turned red. After a few minutes, his body came to standstill, no more energy or life remained in it. 

Executioner waited for a few minutes and then freed the dead body from the noose, and with a swift movement of hands, he wrecked the neck of the Duke, just to be sure. He shouted, "Master. This Dead." as he waved the dead body toward eric like a child waves her doll. 

Eric nodded. The woman who hit the support was too excited, she started shouting out of excitement, her husband came and joined her. In the midst of their celebrations, Evans' assistant handed them a gold coin. The woman took it with both hands, her eyes wide in disbelief. This increased the enthusiasm of the crowd to another level. They too wanted the coin. They survey the group of prisoners for their next prey.

Fear, dissatisfaction, anger, remorse, confusion was evident on their faces in different degrees. Their lives had became the plaything for these people. What could be worse than that? The eyes of people filled with menace waiting for the next prisoner...