As more rebels were brought in for questioning, Rowan no longer wasted his time trying to persuade each one for hours. It didn't take him long to distinguish those who were willing to cooperate from those who remained stubbornly devoted to Griswold's cause.
The ones who chose to speak were questioned thoroughly before they were locked away, while those who refused every opportunity to redeem themselves were sentenced without hesitation.
Before long, the king became the center of discussion throughout the palace, the council chambers, and even among the noblemen and women.
People had always feared Rowan because of his cold expression and commanding presence, but that fear had now deepened into something far greater. It was no longer the fear of standing before a strict king. It was the fear of standing before a ruler who would carry out judgment the moment he believed it was deserved.
