Just In The Nick Of Time

"Please… I might suffer a severe backlash if I continue working. Besides, wasn't there an announcement that we wouldn't have to work—" the tree nymph anxiously pleaded. However, before she could finish, the armoured man pulled a whip from the hung on the of his waist and lashed it across her body with a resounding 'PAH!'

"WHO TOLD YOU TO SPEAK? I NEVER ASKED FOR YOUR OPINION! YOU WOULD HAVE HAD YOUR REST IF THE BASTION OF ASHEN HOPE AND THE WAILING GNARLED HADN'T BEEN FOOLISH ENOUGH TO AMBUSH AND POISON THE KING!! THE KING HAS ORDERED YOU ALL TO WORK!! THERE IS NO REST!!" the armoured man shouted as he continued lashing the battered tree nymph, the whip cracking through the air repeatedly.

The tree nymph collapsed to the ground, her body writhing in pain as her skin bruised under the relentless lashes of the whip.

The crab-bodied man standing beside her stepped back in fear, lowering his head.