The Shadow of Hope (End)

Thud!

As the heads touch the ground and then roll toward the tax collector, the crowd gulp audibly. They plant their shocked gaze at me, probably wondering if I have lost my mind at the same time.

The tax collector looks at me silently for a couple of seconds, mouth agape. He is simply too bewildered by the situation to come up with something.

When he opens his mouth, he can only say, "You…" He trails off and closes his mouth. He looks at the men he brought with him that are now dead and then looks at me in bewilderment again. This time, though, he is brave enough to glare and shout at me.

"What do you think you have done, peasant!? Don't you know this is considered a rebellion against the Marquess? Are you courting death?" His face turns red as his blood rises to his head. "Fucking hell, these savages! Do they think with their dicks?"

I scoff at his muttering. "Funny for you to say that. What happened showed the otherwise, after all."