The Vote - Part 8

Lombard was the immediate threat, however. With him right in front of them, there was no hope but for them to eventually buckle, no matter what scolding they were about to receive later. A training sergeant's temper – and in this case a Captain's – was more terrifying than any sort of formal punishment.

The man fumbled with the key in the lock of Oliver's chains, as his comrade meekly watched, as though Oliver would kill them both the second that he got up. He seemed to take far longer with that lock than was necessary. It was a full minute of jangling chains before he turned the key enough to let the lock slip. Oliver stood up before he could slide the chains off, startling the man. The guardsman flinched heavily, and reached for his weapon. Oliver merely smiled in return.