Chapter 16
"If you are an executioner, don't expect to have a friend closer than a gallows!"
― Mehmet Murat ildan
John and Franz entered John's office through the back door curtain, from Hell. William and Victor Gigantis were waiting. William's face turned sour when he saw Franz.
"William, I would like you to meet - "
"I know who he is," William growled. "He's the hangman. He's not welcome here!"
"But - "
"We have all met men like him. Soulless. Damned. Worse than any demon. He dost take away life. He be a vile disease. We don't want him here."
"But he's - " William stormed out before John could finish.
John looked at Franz and raised his eyebrows questioningly. Franz smiled. "'Tis expected. This will take time." Franz looked out the window and admired the village. "But 'tis worth it."
John turned to the giant. "Victor, take Franz to Mary and ask her to give him a residence. Don't let any harm come to him." Victor nodded and ushered Franz out.
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Within minutes, a ruckus began in the street and quickly grew loud. John quickly went out to investigate, to find all of the citizens had formed an angry mob surrounding Franz and Victor. Victor looked helpless. Franz looked calm.
"Break all t' lad's bones with a wheel!" Cat shouted. "Hangin' won't hurt him."
John ran toward them. "Stop it! Stop!"
Franz looked at John and said, "This must be, John. Stay back."
"But - "
"You can't stop this. Not now, not in a thousand tomorrows. Let them do what they are going to do!"
John stopped. Victor stepped away from Franz, leaving him alone.
"I say we drag him through the streets and beat him senseless!" Bryan shouted.
"Oh, what dost thou know?!" Mary shouted at Bryan. "Thou art hither by thy own hand. Thou hast no more brain than stone hath. This man hath killed people like us! He wilt suffer greatly! We shalt doth as we please with him." Bryan stepped back.
William shouted, waving his sword as he spoke."Draw and quarter him. Pull him apart slowly and gruesomely, and scatter his parts and his guts to the wind!"
John shouted at them, "Revenge is for God! Leave him be."
The crowd laughed. Mary shouted, "This is Hell! This is where people suffer for what they have done! This is God's revenge!" The crowd roared.
"No!" John countered vehemently. "This is Asphedolus! This is your second chance."
Jerry stepped next to Franz. "Draw and quarter him, and then we put his parts in a pile and then throw them on a fire!" The crowd cheered. Jerry seized Franz. Persiphus and William went after him, swords raised to strike.
Before they could strike a whirlwind arose, getting dust into their eyes, and as the whirlwind died down, Vagabones appeared in it. "Woooohooooooooo! Another pillow fight, so soon? You really are a rowdy bunch."
At the sight of Vagabones, the group backed off. "Hello Franz," Vagabones greeted him. Franz bowed to him. "Nice to see you again. You seem to stir up rash feelings wherever you go." Franz bowed to him again, but this time with a smile.
Vagabones turned to John. "Losing control?" John shrugged. Vagabones smiled. "It's about time Franz has decided to come in from the cold. Don't you think so, Franz?"
"Only God is my judge, not me."
"Well, you can certainly stand in the way. Anyway, let's get this matter resolved."
Mary, seething, said, "Men like him hanged me for no more than being a bad wife to a bad husband!"
"So they did."
Cat screamed, "I killed a lad who wast raping me, so they didst hang me! Doth not dare defend t' lad!"
"Which of you deserved a second chance?" No responses. "Hmm?" They all looked away.
"Ah, but you would deny him one." He turned to Franz. "Did you ever cause the death of an innocent?"
"I questioned everyone in Hell, who I executed there. I found every one. They were all guilty of crimes the people said they should die for."
"Did you have concern for their immortal souls?"
"Before execution, I gave them opportunity to confess and ask forgiveness. Many felt I was a friend, despite my gruesome task."
"What would you have me do for you, then?"
"Leave me to them. It must be their decision. If they destroy me, it will be an honorable death."
Vagabones looked at each, one by one, then said, "You may think Franz is on trial here. But it is you who are on trial. Do as you wish." Vagabones disappeared in a whirlwind.
After a few moments, Victor stepped up to Franz and put his huge arm around him. "People make mistakes. It happens."
Then Persiphus stepped to him and said, "I too have killed at other's command."
Jerry stepped forward and patted him on the back. "Yeah, what do I care? I was just having fun."
William shrugged and stepped to him, shoved the point of his sword to touch Franz's stomach, and said, "Ne'r bethought I would pause at killing a hangman. Welcome aboard, mate, thou art very much no worse than the rest of us."
Mary and Cat, heads still bowed, stepped forward and nodded their heads in acceptance of him.
John sighed. "Once again we have escaped Hell. How many near misses will there be?"
Peira appeared beside him. "Many." She smiled and gave him a hug.
"I failed them."
"No, you did well. And in the end, so did they." Without another word, she disappeared.
"Bye," he whispered after she was gone.
Liars Truth Page 16