685. Seeking Answers

"Your Holiness, he's still not dead," Gabriel informed Sylvester about the new prisoner, Lord Helmond. "He has eaten plenty of gold and precious stones, but he's still breathing. The other major merchants are crying to be let out." 

"Don't show them mercy, Gabriel. Helmond will die eventually, there's no doubt. But the other traders must watch his misery and remember this lesson. This will be their punishment if they allow their greed to surmount." Sylvester didn't bother thinking further about the issue and focused on other duties. "What of the Holy Land's trade fleet?"