Samael Saalt
Once the blade was sharpened, it was laid across the workbench and Samael made his way to the mirror. His crimson red cassock partially blocked the reflection as it was laid over the top. He knew it was nearly dusk, the hour used for executions and other punishments for petty offenses. More serious offenses are dealt with at either dawn or midnight, based upon the want and will of the Shah.
Samael put on the cassock, a simple piece of clothing with a golden Hakeshna designed on the back. The Hakeshna, a two headed, winged cobra with a striped tail, was of small design and its golden color had now begun to fade to a deep bronze color. Unlike many priests of Hakeshna, Samael was of a poor background, having being raised in a salt mining community outside of the city. As a result, Samael lacked the ornate vestments of those of noble or otherwise reputable birth.
Goooooooooong. Goooooooooong.
The ceremonial bell rang twice, one for each head of the Hakeshna. Samael slid the falchion into its place on his belt as he made his way out of the Executioner's Chamber, performing a half bow with a closed fist on his chest as he passed Lion's Bane. Stepping out of the doorway of the chamber and onto the hot sand of the Colosseum's arena, he could see a group standing approximately five hundred paces before him. There were only a handful of spectators in the stands for this non-event relative to the other shows put on in this great arena.
Standing on either side of the doorway were two young seminarians, perhaps no more than fifteen years of age. The one of his left carried a thurible, whose incense as soon as the seminarian noticed Samael walk out into the sun. The child on his right carried an ornate, golden bowl containing Holy Water, blessed by the Shah. He nodded to both of the acolytes and they proceed towards the group before him, the thurible swinging vigorously and dispensing sweet-smelling incense in large clouds of smoke.
Walking at a moderate pace, they reached the group of four men and one woman quickly. Two of them were familiar faces to Samael, being fellow priests, but by no means would he have considered them friends. The seminarian with the thurible swung the device towards all those of the group as the executioner's sword was drawn.
"I, Samael Saalt, by the grace Hakeshna, priest of that holy name, have been blessed this day with the power to distribute justice to Yewsegg Zerfaadi, son of Usaak Zerfaadi."
Samael let out a slight smirk as he said the family name of the kneeling man, who had his right hand placed on a wooden block and held by a guard. The Zerfaadi clan was a moderate noble house in Essyrn and Samael took personal enjoyment in dealing pain to nobles. However, due to his status, the young Zerfaadi was given a much less severe punishment on this day than a commoner would have received for the same crime.
"Yewsegg Zerfaadi, you have been convicted of the crime of theft from the temple collection, a crime against Hakeshna, the Shah, the priesthood, and your fellow man. For your crime, you shall relinquish one hand so that justice may be served in Hakeshna's name."
This was not the first time the young Zerfaadi had been convicted of theft and, as a result, lost his left hand less than one year ago. A double offense of such nature, and especially one from a temple's collection box, would have certainly meant an execution for a commoner.
Samael continued, "By order of divine law, would the holy witnesses present here today please state their names."
"Gad-Yon Banzaidi, Priest of Hakeshna," said the man standing in purple robes. Banzaidi was well past middle age and his only priestly post in decades was that of being an on-call holy witness for justice. Holy law called for at least one male priest and one female priestess to witness all executions and punishments, representative of both the male and female head of Hakeshna. He was the only priest who had his full-time living quarters in the Colosseum for that purpose and it is rumored he received that post as punishment for being a troublesome priest when he was younger.
"Karuma Zurbouaaza, Priestess of Hakeshna," followed the woman. Samael swallowed nervously as he nodded to both of the fellow priests. He and Karuma were in seminary together and he had always been attracted to her. However, she never gave him the attention he craved from her, which he believed was due to her belonging to the very powerful and wealthy Zurbouaaza clan. In truth, it was more likely due to Samael never working up the courage to actually speak to the woman.
He placed his left hand in the bowl containing the Holy Water, transferring some water to his forehead and some to his blade.
"Let us pray." All in attendance bowed their heads and closed their eyes, with the exception of the prisoner, who was trembling on his knees.
"Everliving Hakeshna, whose will it is that all shall be brought to justice, lead the unbelievers and the sinners from prejudice to truth; where they are corrupt, purify them; where they are in error, direct them; and where they are in disgrace, destroy them. O Holy Hakeshna, guide the world towards the fruit of your righteousness, so that we all may be saved by your grace through justice."
Samael brought the sword over his head and swiftly lowered it to the wooden block, severing the young noble's hand in the name of justice.
