00:00The crowd that had gathered around Lady Harcourt erupted in a fit of rage.
00:05You're a liar.
00:07I'm just peace.
00:08You took everything from us.
00:11The jeers came from every direction.
00:15A woman in a tattered shawl threw a handful of dirt that struck Lady Harcourt square in the chest.
00:21A merchant raised his fist, his voice trembling with rage.
00:25My brother died in the hollow working for you.
00:30She promised us protection.
00:32She never gave us any protection.
00:34She just took our coin.
00:37The guards moved forward, yanking Lady Harcourt off the ground.
00:41She lashed against them, but it was no use.
00:45I did it for you, she cried out, trying to raise her voice above the rising chaos.
00:51For all of you.
00:53I gave you structure.
00:55I gave you profit, even power.
00:57The crowd surged closer.
01:01One man spat at her feet.
01:04Power?
01:05You gave us chains.
01:07Angry onlookers shouted in agreement.
01:09You were no better than the crown.
01:12A young woman hissed.
01:14Actually, you were worse.
01:16At least the king doesn't pretend to be our savior.
01:20Lady Harcourt's voice cracked, frantic now.
01:25No, no.
01:26You don't understand.
01:27You're turning against the wrong person.
01:31They're the ones coming for you now.
01:33The crown wants you scattered and forgotten.
01:37She could see that she was getting nowhere.
01:40The inhabitants of the red light district only grew more angry.
01:44I was the only one protecting this district.
01:48Lady Harcourt snapped.
01:50You're going to let them in and they'll kill you all.
01:54But her desperate cries were met only with more curses and thrown debris.
01:59Rotten fruits, crumpled bits of cloth, a cracked mug that shattered at her feet.
02:06Stop!
02:07Lady Harcourt screamed as the guards put her in chains.
02:11No!
02:12This place is mine.
02:14Mine!
02:15God damn it!
02:16Mine!
02:16As Lady Harcourt was dragged away, her cries fading beneath the shouts of the crowd, the
02:23fragile balance of power she once maintained collapsed in a heartbeat.
02:28The street, already crowded, burst into complete chaos.
02:33She's finished!
02:35The throne is empty!
02:37With the keeper gone, everyone could see that there was a vacuum of power that needed to
02:42be filled.
02:43And now, the fight was on.
02:46A burly smuggler shoved past a line of onlookers, pointing a jagged knife at a rival gang leader.
02:53These streets belonged to us before she got her claws in them.
02:57We're taking them back.
02:59You think we'll follow you?
03:02Roared a brothel madam, draped in silks and fury.
03:06You're a street rat who got lucky with a shipment of opium.
03:10We'd bring in most of the money anyway.
03:13We should rule these places.
03:16Screams erupted as a bottle flew through the air and shattered against the wall of a tavern.
03:22Within seconds, someone lit a torch and hurled it into a rival storehouse.
03:27Don't!
03:28The east side already went up in flames.
03:31The district won't survive another fire.
03:34But it was too late.
03:35The building caught like dry tinder.
03:39Run!
03:40People scattered, running for their lives as flames licked the sky.
03:45The smoke curled high, blotting out what little light the narrow alleys had.
03:50Some former enforcers of the Keeper, uncertain of their loyalties, turned on each other.
03:57Fists flew.
03:58Blades glinted in the growing firelight.
04:01Blood darkened the cobblestone streets.
04:04Blades!
04:04She betrayed us!
04:06A voice shrieked.
04:08I say we hang her before the crown gets to her.
04:12No.
04:13She was right.
04:14She promised us protection.
04:16She kept the king out of our pockets.
04:19She burned us just to save herself.
04:22She's the one who killed those prostitutes.
04:25You were never able to trust her.
04:28She would bleed our own to bring herself more power.
04:33Factions clashed in the street.
04:36Brothel guards, smugglers, forgers, peddlers, all desperate to seize power or protect their own.
04:43From a rooftop overlooking the chaos, a young pickpocket turned to look out, squinted through the haze.
04:51They're tearing themselves apart.
04:52A man beside him grunted.
04:56Ain't no keeper to fear anymore.
04:58And everyone wants the crown now.
05:02Meanwhile, the guards shoved Lady Harcourt forward, leading her further down the winding streets she once ruled.
05:10Edgar and Alistair walked closely behind, their eyes scanning the scene.
05:15Smoke rising from burning buildings.
05:18Groups of mercenaries and former allies now clashing violently.
05:23It is pure madness.
05:25Alistair whispered, the light of the flames flickering in the reflection of his eyes.
05:31Lady Harcourt's steps were stumbling but defiant.
05:36She didn't resist.
05:37But as they neared the edge of the district, her lips curled into a slow, knowing smile.
05:45Edgar's brow furrowed.
05:47You find this amusing?
05:50She glanced back at Edgar.
05:52You think you won?
05:55That dragging me out and setting the rats on each other will end all of this?
06:00She nodded toward the carnage.
06:03This is the red-light district, Duke.
06:07You cannot kill what feeds on power, secrecy, and desperation.
06:13These people, these mongrels, will always want a ruler.
06:19And when one falls, another will rise.
06:24More ruthless, more cunning, more bloodthirsty than the last.
06:30She stepped forward slightly, despite the grip on her arms.
06:35You didn't destroy anything.
06:38You've merely unchained it.
06:40And now, it will feast.
06:44Lockwood is already bleeding.
06:46And you've only just begun to see where the wounds run.
06:52She tilted her head slightly, her gaze locked on Alistair.
06:58And you, little prince, this is exactly what you want.
07:05Her smirk grew wider, stretching across her entire face.
07:11Isn't that right?
07:12They have no idea.
07:16Before she could speak another word, Alistair stepped forward.
07:20He was utterly calm, chillingly so.
07:24But there was also a dark, harsh glint in his eye.
07:28Within an instant, he unsheathed his blade,
07:32plunging the weapon straight through Lady Harcourt's chest.
07:38Lady Harcourt gasped, her mouth falling open in stunned silence as the blade slid between her ribs.
07:47For a beat, she stood, rigid, her eyes wide in disbelief.
07:52Then, she blinked, and something else crossed her face.
07:56Perhaps a look of confusion, or better yet, betrayal.
08:03Why?
08:06Then, before she could say another word, her legs gave way beneath her, and she crumpled to the cobblestone.
08:13The guards recoiled.
08:17Edgar took a sharp breath.
08:19Alistair stood over her motionless body, blade dripping, face unreadable.
08:27Behind them, the red-light district roared like a beast unchained, buildings collapsing in flame,
08:35rival factions clashing in the streets, the power chasm pulling every greedy soul into its wake.
08:44Edgar looked out across the chaos, then back to Harcourt's lifeless form.
08:49It's done, he said grimly.
08:54But as Alistair wiped his blade on her gown,
08:56the shrieks of an empire dying behind them seemed to whisper otherwise.
09:03Nothing was ever truly done in Lockwood.
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