It is a measure of a nation their cunning! It is a measure of a nation their strength! And it is a measure of a nation," I leaned forward and screeched, "their mercy!" I leaned back and surveyed the crowd and for some bizarre reason kept right on shouting. The condemned you see before you have been tried justly and meet their sentence fairly. They have done wrong, and they will pay for it. But I am not the Winter Princess of a nation who does not see that even the condemned deserve to be treated with respect as they face death. You may think they do not deserve it, but it is your duty as Lunwynians to rise above their action snot fall to their depths. They will hang for their crimes, and you will watch this sentence carried out. How could that not be enough for you?" I tore my eyes away from the now whispering crowd as those close sent my words far, feeling Frey’s arm still tight around my middle, but I ignored it and looked down at the scaffold. Bring her to her feet,” I ordered the guard standing around Viola, and they shifted and stared up at me in stupefaction, so I snapped,“ Bring her to her feet!” They jumped toward Viola who I avoided looking at as they helped her up and moved her to her noose. Instead, I looked back tithe crowd and, yep, you guessed it, kept right on shouting." Today, you witness something infinitely sad. Three people who have gone wrong somewhere in their lives, done wrong be-cause of it and therefore are paying the ultimate price. Do not stand there shouting and jeering, demonstrating that they were right to move against this great nation, those fortunate enough to inhabit her ice-bound earth and those privileged to wear her crowns. Stand there and, as the Lunwynians I know you to be, stand strong, stand proud and stand filled with mercy.

Kristen Ashley

Wildest Dreams

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