Just as the words left my mouth, all of them froze mid-step.
It was like I'd hit a pause button. They understood. It wasn't a vague threat. It was a promise.
They knew, on some primal level, that I could and would do something far worse than hitting them with a practice sword.
I looked back at the leader, who was practically crying now, tears of pain and shame streaking on his face.
"Get up," I commanded.
Although still in pain, he got up, wobbling to his feet.
He probably couldn't take the threat of another hit anymore. His will was broken.
"Bend," I simply said.
He hesitated for a moment, looking at me with pure terror, before bending over slowly, presenting his back.
I slowly walked to him, and sat on his back, using him as a bench.
He grunted under my weight but held steady.
After making myself comfortable, adjusting slightly to find a good perch, I looked at the others.
"All of you, come over here," I said, pointing to a spot on the floor directly in front of me.
