Daily Monday Short: Matt 02

Thrones were suitable for commanding attention. It was the primary reason Matt bothered using them. Jennifer, his Shard Companion, had talked him down from the first few. The one filled with iron swords, the one made of skulls, and Matt’s personal favorite, the obsidian throne, were all vetoed. Eventually, he had to settle for a redwood throne stained the color of fresh blood. It appealed, but he still would have preferred one of the previous three.

Since he held the audience in a pocket dimension, it wasn’t hard to deck the entire courtroom in luxury. An entire Ancient Dragon, stuffed and mounted, lined the walls, so the head roared just over Matt’s throne. The usual banners from defeated enemies, gleaming pieces of artwork, and treasures of incalculable wealth were tossed along the banks of the red carpet that led directly to Matt's throne. He didn’t mind displaying a fraction of his wealth. It wasn’t like anyone could steal from him.

Any one of the countless treasures was kept here to incite greed. They would send the siren song of obsession to those who could correctly identify them. Matt enjoyed watching the eyes of his current visitors bulge in shock. The walls were made of dungeon stone to prevent anyone from entering or exiting quickly. Meanwhile, runes reinforce the walls turning the place into one of his countless safe houses.

Jennifer had gathered the individuals who had spoken out against his plan. Even though he had explained it in detail, quite a few brain-dead individuals thought they had a choice. Those he could stomach. Matt, however, had little patience for traitors. Betrayers were meted a single judgment, death.

Even as the group before him started to talk amongst themselves, Matt was already winnowing through their minds. The paltry Spells and Skills employed to defend were nothing but air to him. He sifted the countless thoughts for connections linking everything together before exiting all the minds at once. A weaker individual would have left traces, but he wasn’t so crass.

Matt allowed his eyes to glow a sinister bright ruby red while wisps of Darkness wafted off his body. Taking her cue, Jennifer said, “All ye welcomed here by the great Red Emperor kneel to show your loyalty!”

Quite a few didn’t kneel, for which Matt was endlessly thankful. Sometimes it was tough to find volunteers to make an example of. There was a breath of silence when people realized others were not kneeling, but that was broken as the shadows came alive. In moments only the soft sound of crunching had replaced the screams.

Matt stood from his throne and slowly walked down the few steps in front of it. Jennifer fell into step behind him, on his left. Opening his mouth, Matt let a sonorous voice stolen from a deceased opera singer resound in the silence.

“This is not a negotiation. This is a purge.” Matt said calmly. He let the shudder of fear ripple through the crowd. “I am not here to provide a shoulder to cry on. I am here to execute a traitor in your midst.”

Matt snapped the fingers of his right hand with showmanship. Instantly the group before him was parted like the Red Sea. Kneeling alone was a sole human female who realized the jig was up. She stood slowly with evident pride even as her body shifted from organic to pure water.

“Naiad? As expected, the anchors are already starting to form.” Matt said with irritation. “Still up to the same tricks.”

Naiads were the creatures used to ensnare powerful men and women on the Plane of Water. It would start with small gifts, financial assistance, and minor items of power. It would be too late if those assembled here realized anything was wrong. There were countless ways for a Naiad to enrapture unsuspecting prey. Everything from mind-blowing sex to addictive liquid drugs.

Matt might have been more merciful if he wasn’t in a hurry, but the Naiad caught him at the wrong time. Even worse, she had deliberately attempted to sabotage his plans. An example needed to be made so the Plane of Water didn’t pursue the issue.

“I’m thirsty,” Matt said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Sir?” Jennifer said, glancing at him.

Matt opened his mouth and siphoned the Naiad like a cup of fresh water. After he’d finished, he licked his lips and said, “Delicious. We proceed as planned.”

Jennifer bowed low and said, “As the Red Emperor commands!”