‘Fate weaves the paths of our lives in various ways,’ muttered the god, keeping his gaze fixed on the accused. ‘Predestined encounters and events that we are unable to avoid. Cruel to some, and merciful to others. Fate leading both mortals and immortals by the nose.’ Einar stared at Thanatos’s profile, having no idea how to behave or whether he should do anything at all. ‘Silence!’ The god’s voice froze everyone in their tracks. It literally pinned the agitated imperials to the ground. However, Toinen, standing right next to Death, as well as the other Ytrens, merely flinched slightly. ‘Fuilin accused you of asking for water halfway through his watch, and when he gave it to you, you, Valentius, grabbed him by his tunic and slammed his head against the bars of the cell. Then you ‘Then you held him whilst Flavius was strangling the lad. Later, using the keys, you left the cells.’ Thanatos fixed the legionaries with a gaze as though he were looking straight into their souls. ‘Do you have anything to say?’ The question was asked in such a tone that everyone knew not to even try to speak.
‘It’s their fault!’ blurted out Valesius suddenly. His rage seemed to have clouded the rational part of his mind. ‘How dare those filthy wretches insult us! Who dared to lock people of noble birth in a dungeon! They’re all nothing but vermin and slaves, meant to serve us!’ He began to shout, his eyes darting wildly from side to side. ‘They have no right even to look us in the eye, let alone judge us! They’re nothing but fodder for our master’s mill!’
Einar felt anger welling up within him. A righteous and just anger. Yet he was not the first to lose his temper at the insulting tirade. Thanatos made a brief gesture with his hand, and Valesius’s face was pressed into the ground where he knelt.
‘Dare you speak of the defiled gods in my presence?’ Death’s voice sounded like the distant echo of a mighty storm. It sowed fear and inspired god-fearing reverence. ‘I
