The surprise of the guards giving Arthur chase would have been quite sweet under any other circumstance as Arthur turned around and sprinted right back toward them. That surprise only lasted for a moment when they saw the mass of possessed warriors behind him. Some of the soldiers held firm shouting for their comrades to do the same, others joined Arthur in his frantic charge back toward the dungeon. The possessed fell on the watchmen with a silent efficiency, Arthur heard the sounds of men dying behind him. They wouldn't last long thought Arthur, he hadn't seen any bonemen but the possessed were implacable and eventually they would kill every watchman in the dungeon.

Arthurs only chance was to find the collapsed wall, he ran back into the fort shouting "MIRA!"

His voice boomed over the clashing of watchman and possessed. The hallways all looked the same as Arthur ran around searching for any sign of the collapsed wall. "ARTHUR!" shouted Mira, he span on his heel and ran in the direction of the voice. His heart sank when he saw Mira's face, the ladies had not wanted the watchmen to follow them, they had began to close the gap in the wall.

"What's happening," asked Mira her voice holding strong.

"Possessed attacked the dungeons," said Arthur between his panting breaths, "The watchmen are fighting them for now but they wont last long, I need another way out." Arthur began frantically pulling stones away from the collapsed wall.

"Arthur stop, it will take to long to rebuild the wall we can't let the possessed through," said Mira.

"Are you abandoning me, after I risked my life to help you!" Said Arthur nearly shouting at Mira.

"No Arthur there's another way out, a window on the second floor you can climb down from there," said Mira as the final stone was placed covering her face. Arthur turned and ran back through the fort, random debris from the general decay of the dungeon made it difficult to move through the fort. As he was about to run up the stairs a possessed appeared in front of him. Without stopping Arthur drew his sword and cast the possessed head off in a single blow, more possessed pushed through the door spotting Arthur as their prey. The corridor Arthur found himself in was lined with murder holes to small for him to fit through, he could feel the footsteps of possessed behind him. Too many for him to fight. He had to find the window. He soon found it someway down, it was covered with dusty glass Arthur realised as he threw himself through with no hesitation. Arthur landed on a small slope and rolled down to the street below, he looked back expecting to see the possessed follow him out the window. They stared at him for a moment before turning and running back into the fort.

Arthur stumbled through the street looking for the women he helped escape. He walked past old crumbling houses sword held in one hand. He heard voices in the distance and turned to follow them, Arthur kept his footsteps light and stayed close to the houses trying to stay unseen as possible. Arthur spotted a group of women huddled around a shopfront, he spotted Mira gathering bundles of swords and polearms.

"Mira," said Arthur keeping his voice balanced trying not to let his anger get the best of him, Mira set down the weapons and approached Arthur slowly.

"I -" he began then Mira wrapped her arms around him.

"Thank you" she said tearfully pushing her head into Arthurs chest.

Immediately all of his anger slipped away. She smelled of goldflower, it masked the smell of sweat which hung in the air. Mira pulled away from him and Arthur had to look away as he mumbled.

"My pleasure" the other women all echoed their thanks but one pushed her way to his side.

"Did you kill him?" asked Grace.

"Yes," said Arthur a sick look of pleasure passed over her face, Arthur could see she wanted to ask for more but Mira interrupted.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"We have to get moving, the possessed will be on us soon."

The group began to follow her lead as she led them away from the shop, they had all equipped themselves with the arms Mira brought out. None of them seemed skilled with the assortment of swords and polearms but it was better than nothing. They walked along several streets and twisted and turned through the city, the women were in high spirits Arthur noticed some whistled as they marched others talked in small groups. It must have been worse than he thought at the dungeon if being out in the dead city surrounded by bloodthirsty possessed was making them this happy. Arthur checked over his body, he came through the battle at the dungeon relatively unscathed; there was a slight ache in the side he landed on when jumping out of the window. He'd lost his bag which contained his travelling supplies but he couldn't put off his task any longer, he needed to get back to the Inn to collect his armour, with the number of possessed on the street he wouldn't last long without it.

He caught up with Mira "I need to go."

"Why, stay and escape this vile place with us. We would all feel safer if a real warrior helped escort us."

"I have to go, there's someone out there I have to save," said Arthur steeled his voice, she couldn't ask anymore of him she was a complete stranger and he had done his good deed.

"That is just one person Arthur, there's over thirty of us here and we need your help now," her voice was low, she didn't want to be overheard by the other women.

"I'm sorry Mira, I made a vow and I have to keep it. I've helped you all I can, and now I must leave" said Arthur hardening his features and leaving no softness there.

Mira sighed. "Alright, Arthur but know I am grateful for all you have done for us." She leaned over and kissed him on his cheek, "Safe travels and may we meet again under better circumstances."

Arthur nodded and turned to walk away but added before he left "Mira do you know where a large walled Inn is."

Mira thought for a moment. "That sounds like 'The Tall Pillar' over in Golden Bridge." She gave him some vague directions through the city and waved with the other women as he left.

Arthur wondered if he would see them again, if all went well they would get out of Finepoint soon and travel to the nearest city to warn them of the danger.

The sun was clear in the sky but Arthur could feel none of its heat, there was a deep chill in the city that pierced him to his bones. It cut through his gambeson and shirt beneath, he crept through the streets not daring to speed up in fear of being spotted. Arthur knew he was in the right place the buildings around him had been burned to the ground, it must have been caused by the fire he had set two days ago. He need only follow the trail of destruction and it would lead him to the Inn. He picked his way through the streets, lots of rubble from collapsed buildings cluttered the ground. Some buildings were still smoking from the fire, and the smell of smoke still hung in the air alongside the musk of dampness.

Finepoint was lucky it rained, thought Arthur, or else the fire may have consumed the entire city. Maybe it wasn't so lucky. He recognised the street he was walking down, it was Els' street, he saw the burnt out remains of her house. It was satisfying to see her opulent home reduced to a pile of blackened bricks and burnt wood. Arthur knew that women would get all those men killed at the Keep, he couldn't bring himself to be happy about her inevitable demise. She had treated him poorly but he could understand her motivations, as much as he hated to admit it.

After a long walk, Arthur made it to the Inn, it was still standing at least he thought. He had been worried that the building may have burned down but he assumed that the witch moved the fire to chase them down. He walked up to the front door and pushed it open, some of the ceiling had collapsed into the corridor. Arthur pushed through the rubble and made it to the room he stored his armour in. It was still there wrapped in the cloth which protected it, Arthur looked it over checking for rust. He spent a long while examining each piece of armour cleaning it and fitting it onto his body. When his body was covered in the gleaming plate mail he let out a sigh of satisfaction, it provided him a singular comfort. Arthur had spent years in that armour, it felt like an extension of his own body that could turn aside any blade. Arthur looked around the Inn and ate some food that was left in the pantry, he hadn't been eating enough recently and a soldier fights on his stomach. Arthur left the Inn feeling ready to take on Finepoint, a new haversack full of food and water was hanging over his shoulder and the chill of the city was deflected by his armour.

Arthur stood at the gate of the Inn and stopped, how was he going to find Pyp he thought, it was the first time he had thought of this since he'd been betrayed by Els. She was his only source of information on possessed activity around the city, he could walk around the city and hope he would happen upon Pyp. The past few days had been a whirlwind of activity and he hadn't had time to think about Pyp. He scratched his head in frustration, he couldn't just wander around Finepoint, he needed a guide. Mira? He thought, she might be willing to help him. No she would only help when her people were out of the city. That left Els. Arthur might be able to catch her before she is wiped out at the Keep, he doubted she would throw herself headfirst into battle. She would lead him to the bank. Whether she wanted to or not.