"I thought this couldn't be. I had faith that people my daughter fought with would not turn their backs on her." I'm surprised at his statement as he normally covers up family matters but maybe this was the final straw 

"My dearest Vera how does that make you feel knowing the truth?"My hearts thumping as I see Pope and scar edge forward and I'm now starting to panic. This is him outstretching a tree branch to test my loyalty. 

"Come on now don't be shy" My father signals and both Pope and scar aim a gun at Daniels and Miles head causing my sister to gasp. Paranoid and petrified I could tell I had to word my words carefully.

I try to move over to them but Draven keeps two firm hands onto me as Pope stares his son down. "Draven he's going to kill them.
If I live you'll be the first to die. Come with us and this stops, don't and this'll be you the next time you slip up" I whisper.

"Father please don't hurt them they're my friends I'm sure they just made a mistake" Evelyn cries and he shoved her into a man who holds her upright in her quivering state. She doesn't see what the bigger picture is that's why she begged. I wish I could do the same.

"Honey I don't want you to see. " my father waves and a man yanks a fighting Evelyn away. I want to comfort her but I have a bigger issue. 

My father places his metal knuckle rings on. "Grief can make anyone do anything. I think this is a misunderstanding" I say in a calm tone and people scoff but this is all I have.

I shake Draven off who allows it as I step more into the circle. "I would've preferred a private conversation instead of something so public and maybe this could've been resolved." My father side hugs me as we walk in front of my friends.

"Let's say I believed what you're saying, he still broke the rules how would you say I dealt with that huh? Considering I'm sparing a lot of vital resources on them and they repay with disrespect" the crowds eyes on me make me feel self conscious.
"No food or water for how long you see fit. Since I'm unharmed and he did have the opportunity" I look up into my fathers eyes but I can already tell he has something in his mind and I'm not going to like it.


"I'm not sure that would get the message across and what if people started to doubt my authority and tried to disrespect me the same way thinking it's okay because they'd only miss out on dinner" his people smile as they know he's already made his decision 
"There's no need to be extreme they're new to our standards." I grit my teeth and my father smirks as he lets go of the little embrace and starts speaking to his people.

"New to my standards? Then let's make sure they'll never forget them. I'm not sure about everyone else but I know I've missed the good old days where we'd sort out this type of disrespect with a fight" the crowd roar clearly excited 

My frown hardens as normally fights before like this was one where two started out but only one finished. "I know a very good competitor who is dying to unrest their skills. Of course he'll be going up against the boy who seems to think he can defy my orders.....unless you would like to fight against him?" 
I know my father is talking about me fighting Miles and he knows we won't. Miles is a good fighter, scar is very talented but he lacks stamina so he would only have to tire him out then he can win.
The only thing is Miles wouldn't kill anyone. I turn my head to the side and my fathers laughs as he orders people to grab us a chair. "Then let us begin. There's no mercy in war." Miles tied hands are cut and he's shoved into the circle as my father takes a seat.