Zero Tolerance

Timestamp: Stoneshade Keep

The Duke looked at Sir Zane not very pleased with the news being shared.
"How many dead?" he asked.
"Six confirmed murders. Including a city guard found with his throat slit in the forest and a soldier killed by a poisoned blade in the Shrine." Sir Zane reported. " Both men were investigating the other murders."
"And you are certain it's the work of the Creed?" he asked incredulous. "I thought they had been exterminated decades ago."
"It all points to them. A young huntress investigation seems to confirm that suspicion. Carvings connected to their cult are cropping up all around the city's forests. We have one assailant in the dungeon and another under surveillance at the Saliam farm. Several others were attacked, including Wim Riese."

The Duke frowned deep in thought. "We cannot allow the murder of soldiers and city guards to go unpunished." he said with a steely resolve in his eyes.
"Squeeze the rest of the information you have from the man in the dungeon." he ordered. " Raise a gallows in Suncross Square close to the Shrine. Announce the public execution and have him run the gauntlet before he is hung."

The Gauntlet was the practice where prisoners were paraded between a long line of crowds where anyone could beat, spit, and kick the felons. It was a way to make populations think they had a say in the execution of justice. Many did not survive the gauntlet to reach their time of execution.

"I want his body to hang f0r a week. Offer a reward of 10gp to anyone with information leading to the arrest of any member of the Creed." he concluded. "Let it be known that any person found to be involved with the cult will be executed."

Sir Zane nodded his agreement. " I recalled a squad from the drills in the plains." he informed the Lord Commander. "I am planning to raid the farm. It seems to be where some meet and cracking some heads and dragging others to the dungeon should loosen some tongues and scare others to come forward."

The Lord Commander nodded in agreement and let Sir Zane go about his business...