It’s an interesting premise and it raises some interesting questions that could be explored in -quels. The only nitpick that I would have would be with the phrase “he felt his hand unconsciously grasp.” If you can feel something, you must be conscious of it. Your very first sentence could be made even stronger if you omitted “those that lurk in the hearts of.”

There’s a couple of typos in here, but I like the story. Public executions like this had to have been emotional events. Often, they’re portrayed as these barbaric parties where people cheer and throw produce. I think people are deeper than that and it’s good to see another view of such a scene.

Typos of ‘noice’ for ‘noise’ and ‘aze’ for ‘axe’, unless you meant ‘adz’, which would be a brutal way to do a beheading.

Nice moment with just enough back story to really get into the psychological state of the principle players. Feels like he is on the verge of doing something.