The Chronicle of the Black Sword

[So, not only has Elric been nanomited; now there's a flood on. Yay? His demeanour is rather haughtier than usual; he is perhaps something more like the cold, old-fashioned Melnibonéan emperor his people would have liked.]

I wonder sometimes, my fellow wardens, if you are not too gentle with your inmates. In the days of the Bright Empire—well, in the days of the Bright Empire, the prospect of "redemption" would be an alien concept, if not entirely, riotously laughable. [The expression on his face suggests that it's still laughable.]

What, indeed, is the worst you can muster? A week in the cells below deck? And the prisoners are no doubt still fed, still clothed, still given a place to sleep.

[He leans back in his chair.] ( Cut for nightmare fuel confession )

[He stops, frowns slightly. He's pretty sure he didn't mean to rattle off that entire story. Then he shrugs.]

Proof, I expect, that anything can grow dull with use. Such behaviour was expected of me, after all.

[Then a sardonic smile.] Nonetheless, I assure you all that I do not endorse the good Dr Jest's measures for application here. But we are, perhaps, too gentle all the same. A matter to consider, perhaps.