Diarmuid's mouth worked soundlessly as he tried to form words to reply to the witch who had called out to him.
It wasn't the first time he'd encountered a demon who could speak the king's common tongue, but it was the first time a demon had ever pleaded with him to help her save his people, and it took his mind several heartbeats to overcome his shock before he could think to reply.
"You withdraw!" Diarmuid shouted down at the diminutive witch. "Take your army back where you came from and leave us in peace! If you want to help save lives, then prove it by leaving!"
He didn't expect that the demons would withdraw. The Crimson Knight, the woman calling herself Ian Hanrahan's cousin, clearly had a personal grievance with the scheming Baron and Diarmuid didn't believe for a moment that she would let this army leave… but how could he command his soldiers to lay down their weapons?
