FIVE MONTHS LATER

Lake:

Nine men were arranged in a row, with their knees pressed grazing the sand of the earth. Kenji, Bec, and I watched from a distant hill, while nine of our warriors stood behind them. These rogues had been sentenced to death after being found guilty of rape, theft, murder, and arson.

"Do you think the rogues would learn their lesson now? I mean, they should. But those people are born rebellious. They were punished by your father and his fathers before him, but they find a way to rise every generation." Kenji spoke up. Bec turned to him, before fixing his gaze on me.

Kenji was...