"Help!" Vera screamed, clawing toward them. "He's killing everyone! Please!"
Kael walked out from the alley behind her, the AK-47 in his hand.
The guards froze at the sight of them, eyes darting between the bleeding woman and the calmly advancing man.
"Merchant Kael, what are you doing?" one of the guards called out, stepping forward with a hand on the hilt of his short sword. His voice carried both fear and deference. "Are you… are you alright?"
Kael didn't slow his steps. The barrel of the rifle tilted slightly downward. He stopped a few paces from the limp, bleeding form of Vera.
"Just eliminating some traitors," he said simply.
He tossed a small leather pouch toward the guard. It landed with a clink and rolled to a stop at his feet.
The man bent down and opened it. Inside—gleaming gold.
"Twenty gold coins," Kael said flatly. "I trust that's enough for your cooperation."
