The tension clouded the air. Diomede let go of Kira—she was able to stand on her own, but with difficulty. He began walking down the stairs.
"Okay! We don't have time to try and kill each other."
The three at the bottom of the stairs looked at one another. Clayton stood still, ready to swing his sword if needed. Lily held her arrow straight and steady, prepared to let it fly. Francisco stood between them, hands out, worried that one wrong move would mean his end.
"You must deal with the mess in the village," Diomede stated, pointing at Clayton. "And you—I don't know your cause for being here, but it has nothing to do with me, my Nesfundur friend, or my Boarkar ward."
The white-haired woman turned her arrow toward Diomede. "My business is with the Nesfundur. I require his aid in leaving this village and making my way to the capital."
Diomede glanced at Francisco. "You know her?"
Francisco shook his head, confused. "Never seen her before."
Diomede sat down on the stairs, pressing his hands to his face. A few seconds of silence passed as the four strangers sized each other up.
Then Diomede slapped his knees and stood. "You're coming with us."
She pulled the arrow back as if to release it. "Who are you to give me orders?"
Without hesitation, Diomede drew one of his axes and threw it at her. She dodged to the left and let loose her arrow, which struck the stairs—Diomede was gone.
She reached back for another arrow, but Diomede caught her wrist and bent her arm behind her back.
"How did you get behind me?!" she shouted.
"Don't or I break it," he said softly into her ear.
She struggled, but it felt as if her arm was embedded in stone.
"Let me go," she snarled.
Diomede pulled the bow from her other hand and released her wrist. "We work together, and I'll make sure you and I both get to the capital."
The woman looked around, knowing her choices were few. "Better to have extra hands than to be alone… for now."
Diomede nodded and handed her back the bow he had taken. "Your name?"
She eyed the bow and pulled back the string, then lowered it. "My name is Lily."
As she said this, she fell to her knees in pain. A sharp ringing pierced her mind and a whisper filled her ears.
Kira hurried down the stairs and placed her hands on Lily's head. Images flooded Kira's mind—people dressed in tribal garb and body paint—then a dark shadow washed over her. She pulled back, pain etched across her face.
Francisco moved to help her stand, but Kira reassured him with a gentle pat on his shoulder.
"What happened?" Diomede asked.
"She is a halfead," Kira said quietly.
"I see," Diomede replied. "Whatever is controlling the dead must be affecting her as well."
Lily snapped at Diomede, "I am under no one's control!"
Diomede raised his hands and tilted his head in apology.
Clayton's eyes widened with recognition. "You're the one who escaped the tavern this morning. You're wanted as well."
Lily glared at him.
Diomede walked over to Clayton, axe in hand. "Do you plan to arrest us all?"
Clayton looked at the others, then back at Diomede. "I must arrest those who are enemies of Umar—or kill them."
He gripped his sword tightly.
Diomede met his gaze. "Remember what I told you about these axes, little cub."
Lily placed her hand over an arrow, ready to draw.
A small noise echoed from the mess hall. Clayton turned his head, realizing the survivors' safety took priority.
"But I have other duties to the people of this village," he said. "So while I help deal with the dead and keep the innocent safe…"
He stepped past Diomede. "You four disappear in the chaos."
Diomede was impressed with the young knight's choice. "Thank you."
Clayton headed for the entrance and peered out. The rain still cloaked the village, and the sounds of swords and groans danced on the air. The fires roared higher, reaching into the night sky. Clayton couldn't tell where the smoke ended and the clouds began. The knights who remained stood guard at the gates, now barricaded.
Francisco approached Clayton. "Where would our things have been placed, my good man?"
Clayton pointed to a dark brown door. "Down the hall there."
Francisco tipped his nonexistent hat and hurried down the hall.
Kira made her way to the entrance. The cool breeze stirred by the rain reminded her of the falls near her old home.
"You mentioned the dead are attacking the villagers?"
Clayton nodded.
Kira clutched her necklace and prayed.
Diomede noticed and marched over to the two. "Please tell me you only prayed for the safety of the villagers."
Diomede groaned as he stood over Kira.
She turned to him, tears in her eyes. "She has spoken, Diomede."
Diomede began pacing, stomping his feet and placing his hands on his hips. "Of course she did."
Francisco returned, holding a bag around his chest, scribbling furiously in his journal.
"All right, we may go," he said cheerfully.
"Thank you for your hospitality, my dear young knight. And don't worry—your story will be known throughout Alborain!" Francisco sang as he tried to leave through the front entrance.
Diomede grabbed him, pulling Francisco back.
"What? What has happened?"
Francisco looked around at Diomede and Kira, confused.
"We're going to help with the dead."
Clayton jerked his head toward Diomede, puzzled.
Lily grunted in anger. "We are to do what?"
Francisco swallowed a large lump in his throat. "But…but we are to leave. The mighty Umar knights are able to deal with them."
Diomede looked into Francisco's eyes. "Remember what I told you?"
Francisco glanced at Kira. A moment passed, then his eyes widened.
"Oh."
Clayton and Lily exchanged glances, wondering if either of them knew something.
"Well then, I am at your service." Francisco laughed nervously.
Diomede stepped outside and looked over the village. The fires still roared; the attacks hadn't pushed any closer to the office.
"Clayton," Diomede called. "Where is the temple?"
Clayton pointed. "There. Elite Panagiot has headed there to help the other survivors."
Diomede scanned the grounds. He saw the barricade the knights had built—but something was off.
"Clayton," Diomede called again. "Where are the rest of the knights?"
Clayton stepped outside. "The commander took most of them to the center of the village, left a few here."
As Clayton spoke, he didn't notice the knights merely standing guard.
Looking out, he saw a black mass standing at the entrance.
Clayton walked into the rain, straining his eyes through the downpour and darkness.
He saw a knight clutching his throat, a blade pushed through his face and out of his helmet.
Clayton took a step back, shocked.
The mass began moving toward the gate.
The lit torches revealed twisted beasts wearing bent metal armor.
Diomede placed a hand on Clayton's shoulder, pulling him back.
"Get back and hold the entrance. If any get past me, you must cut them down."
Clayton readied himself and stepped back.
Kira, Francisco, and Lily stayed behind the threshold of the office, preparing themselves.
Diomede cut his finger, traced a shape on the ground, and chanted a few words in an exotic language.
A bright light flashed, and before him sat his great sword.
He lifted it with one hand and turned to Clayton.
"Hope you're ready, cub."