"I-it's an order from above! I don't know the details!" the guard stammered, immediately switching to a more respectful tone.
"You could have just said that from the start," Sylas replied, rising from his spot. He followed the guard out, where six knights stood waiting with grim expressions.
One of the knights held out a pair of restraints. "Hold out your hands," he commanded.
"Why?" Sylas asked.
"This is a formal procedure! Even nobles aren't exempt!" the knight shouted, his voice loud more from fear than authority.
Sylas chuckled and extended his hands. "If it's formal, I guess I have no choice."
The knights exchanged uneasy glances. Sylas's compliance felt less like submission and more like a dangerous predator humoring his prey. The tension in the air was palpable.