The capital city square of Persbern.
The morning sky was still gray when the first bell tolled. Its sound echoed far and wide, slipping into narrow alleys and waking the city in a civilized manner.
Even before the bell rang, the place was already crowded with people coming and going. Some had traveled from outside the capital just to witness the promised execution.
The air was already warm, even though the sun had yet to fully rise. Some people were already grumbling about how much they hated summer. They searched for shade under trees or tall buildings.
The nearby place of worship became an unintended gathering spot, filling with people as they waited for the execution to begin.
There were still a few hours to go.
It had been a long time since the last public execution. Even though it wasn't something to celebrate, watching a criminal punished reassured people that the kingdom's laws were still being upheld.
