Past the gate everything was surprisingly... green. There was grass here, a whole field of it, set between this wall and another blurring in the distance. Gusts of wind sent ripples through the brown-green sea, while the road shed the last of its stones, turning into a simple dirt path. It drew a long line through the gentle tide, until it ran into what looked like a small village, save for a couple larger buildings.

Up ahead were more people making their way down the path. By the entrance most were just heading toward the buildings, but further down many had stopped along the road's edges. Tents dotted the landscape like riverbank stones. Small groups lounged on blankets in the fields. Children laughed and played. It was peaceful, and Clergy was still sick to his stomach. Dekar had come to help them, he had helped them, and in return they'd... he shuddered. How could they have done this?

For a while they just rode in silence, until the gate slowly faded from earshot and the guards had begun searching the next groups.

He looked over at Micah.

Beneath his hood distaste marred his typically jovial look. He sat with his head in his hand and turned away from the front, tapping his finger on his cheek. His eyes looked down into nothing, but with just a glance Clergy knew his gaze truly lingered in the past. Micah sucked his teeth.

Alvon, of course, seemed completely unfazed by what had happened. He had one arm outstretched and resting on the wagon's edge, with the other laying across his lap. A breeze rushed past and Alvon turned his gaze with it back toward the Gate. He sighed, almost remorsefully.

Is he... disappointed? Clergy thought to himself. He didn't know if it was because he didn't get to fight, or because Clergy was still alive. Or both. Or— Nope, Clergy snapped in his thoughts. Don't need to do this. Not gonna worry. He turned toward Nitara and—

"You know this will just make things harder." It was Nitara, sitting with crossed arms at her spot toward the rear and eyeing the back of Abel's head.

Abel sighed, then turned to face her, before letting his gaze falter back down. "It had to be done."

"'Had to be done?!'" Micah snapped. "Abel we... he won't work with us again. Not after this. None of Saadya's people will."

"They—" Abel groaned, "he understands the risks, and he understands what's at stake. He's no fool."

Micah scoffed. "What? Abel, It's not about stakes. It's about respect. If we treat them like they're expendable they won't risk helping us anymore. We have to do better if we want any of this to actually work! Otherwise what's the point?"

"And what does 'better' look like exactly?" Abel roared. "Tell me. What should I have done? What would any of you have done if you were me?"

Micah faltered a bit at Abel's tone, but his eyes stayed firm.

Abel took a breath. "Because in my mind," he said in a softer voice, "a punch in the face is nothing compared to what was coming next."

Micah eyed Abel for a moment. "That doesn't make it right."

"No," Alvon said, bringing both arms to his legs and leaning forward. "It makes it necessary."

Abel eyed Alvon but it took him a moment to speak. "It was the safest option for Clergy, anyways."

Clergy shifted in his seat. "Well I... I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me—"

"So what?" Nitara said. "After seeing what just happened now you think we should've let them search us? Now you would've taken that risk?"

"I..." Clergy paused. Then he paused again. The truth was as terrible as he felt about it now, he still didn't know what he would've done. He said nothing.

Nitara scoffed. "Didn't think so."

"None of this matters," Alvon said. "What's done is done. We need to move on."

The path sloped down into the crowd of tents and laughter and smiles. There was no place for an argument here, so the silence between them lingered. They moved on.

As they made their way through the boisterous scene, Clergy noticed something else in the field. A dozen stones, about as tall as him were scattered throughout the open space. He might have disregarded them but they were all conspicuously, almost intentionally, left standing erect.

They were old, at least as old as the wall, with the same worn and faded look. Clergy could see now that they were set atop crumbling stone stages, that the weeds and wild grass had long ago claimed as their own. He didn't know why, but they pricked at his mind somehow. He couldn't look away.

"We're breaking off soon, Abel said suddenly. "Get ready."

The group heeded his words. Soon everyone in the back had sat up with a casual grace and slipped their hoods on.

Micah tapped his shoulder. "I know you probably weren't gonna take it off, but keep the hood on," he said as he tugged the edges of his own. "We're going into some," he paused, "lightly restricted areas, so it's better no one gets a clear look at your face."

Clergy raised a brow at that. "Lightly restricted?"

"We won't get arrested here... probably, but if they spot us they'll ask questions, and if they don't like what they hear they will turn us around, pass or not."

Are guards really still an issue? Clergy thought to himself. "Listen," he said, "I don't want to make light of what just happened—"

"But—"

"But if Abel could get us past those warriors why couldn't he just get us past the guards here."

Micah shook his head. "City guards and warriors don't really mix."

"Why?"

"Basically warriors think they're better and city guards don't like that. But when warriors are on site they usually can pull rank, so there's a lot of tension there."

"Well we could run into more right? We're even closer to the archives now, and if there's more they could vouch for Abel and—"

"I doubt they'll be anymore," Micah cut in. "Most of them work for this guy named Ivar Nachman. He's on the Council but he and Gad aren't on the best of terms. Without Nachman's permission, most Warriors can't work for other people, so even getting three was kind of impressive."

Great, Clergy thought, now we're back at square one. Get in, get out— "and don't wander off," he mumbled to himself.

Micah gave him an odd look. "What?"

"N-Nothing, I get it. I'll keep my head down."

Micah nodded just as Abel tapped the back of the driver's seat with his hand.

"I see them," Micah said as he quickly made his way to the front. "I thought the guard rotation would have this path clear."

"The... delay at the gate put us behind schedule, but we can still be in position for Ezra if we hurry." Abel groaned as he peered ahead. "If we hurry..."

Clergy turned to get a look for himself. There were four guards ahead, fitted with their usual gear, though none of them had a bow. They were chatting near the front of what was truly a small village, or at least part of it was. The road they were on branched off toward two paths into the garrison. On the left was clearly the main entrance. Almost everyone walking was headed that way, where a tall wooden archway marked the start of the village proper.

To the right a far less conspicuous path snaked it's way past a stable, and between ten or so home-like buildings built of wood and stone.

"Even if we're behind," Micah chimed in, after giving it some thought. "They're still on a rotation. If we hang back for a bit they should move on eventually."

They started to approach the stable. Clergy could spot barrels and crates lingering around beside it and many of the other buildings.

"And if they don't?" Nitara asked. "How are we going to handle them? We—"

"Can I help y'all find something?" A man's voice called out behind them.

Everyone froze and turned towards it.

It turns out that 'man' was a bit of an exaggeration. He and Clergy could've been the same age. He was tall and lanky, like he'd just grown into his height. A mess of brown hair sat atop his awkward frame. The matted curls almost covered his dark eyes, like the dirt on his hands and overalls. He started coming closer.

Abel brought the horses to a stop, just as Clergy glanced up ahead. The guards hadn't noticed them yet. And hopefully that lasts, Clergy thought to himself.

"I'm sorry," the young man said. "I didn't mean to scare y'all, I just noticed the wagon heading down, and it seemed like y'all couldn't agree on something. Thought maybe I could help."

"Oh that's thoughtful of you. We appreciate that," Abel said, as he gently brought a smile to his face. "We were just trying to figure out which lodge our inspection was in. It's either Rayethea or—"

"Shamets," Micah chimed in, "and like I told you dad that's clearly the right one. Boss said it was cool and they barely ever take the good stuff over there. We'll be fine!"

"We don't know anyone at Shamets," Abel said. "And I'm not risking another heavy handed levy. Not this time."

"But dad—"

"I lost twelve bottles of wine that day. Twelve! I won't lose a single coin more than the King's rate this time. Mark my words."

"Fine!" Micah said. "Let's just go to Rayethea and let—" He paused, then turned to the young man. "I'm sorry what's your name again?"

"Nathan," he said through an awkward smile, "but I never said—"

"Right," Micah cut in, "let's stop bothering Nathan and let him get back to work.

Nathan kept that same smile as he rubbed the back of his neck and started to step away. "Yeah, I guess that'd be—" He paused as his eyes lit up. "Oh! There's the sergeant! I'm sure he could help straighten this out for you!"

Panic flashed across Abel's face before he found his smile again. "There's no need to—"

"Sarge!"

The guards up ahead turned toward them and started to approach.

"What's wrong Nathan?" One of the guards shouted. Then he studied their wagon for a moment. He frowned. "These people lost or something? The storeroom's down past the main building. They're way off course here."

"They're looking for Rayethea, Sarge," Nathan called. "Want to make sure they get a fair shake at inspection today."

The sergeant looked them over for a moment. "You got a pass?" He shouted.

Abel perked up and started ruffling in his cloak. "Uh... oh, yes right here!" He called back after a moment. He pulled out the silver coin from before and held it up. "We're a priority out of Avram Grey's office!"

The sergeant kept walking forward until he was close enough for Clergy to get a good look at his face. Another grizzled, dark haired man, though compared to the warrior he was far less toned and far less menacing.

"Avram Grey..." the sergeant muttered. Then his eyes lit up. He turned toward his other men. "Two of you walk them over there, and make sure the crown man knows they're not a mark. This stuff right here is for us."

The other guards cheered at that, just as two of them started walking toward the wagon.

"Hey and don't fuck around," the sergeant said as they passed him. "Keep an eye on them, get this done, and be back in rotation in two quarter calls, understood?"

"Yes sir!" the two guards said, briefly turning towards him before quickening their pace toward the wagon.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

The sergeant and another guard started walking up the path, away from the stable and the home-like buildings— or I guess those are lodges, Clergy thought to himself. What else around here could be?

The two guards had made it to the wagon. One had a slender frame, freckles, and locks of auburn hair poking out from beneath his helm. I'll just call him Auburn. He came up and shook a polite albeit awkward Abel's hand.

"Come on," The other guard said, as he started walking toward the lodges. "The bell is gonna ring any minute, and I don't want to spend a quarter call trying to rush a crown man. I'd have better luck with a fucking stone."

Auburn laughed and patted the wagon's side just as Abel got the horse moving again.

Unlike Auburn, the other guard had managed to grow some dark brown stubble. His hair was short enough that it fit snugly under his helm, while just beneath his placid brown eyes a thin scar marred his cheek. Scar's not too judgy is it? Clergy thought to himself. Then he shook his head. Who am I even asking?

Scar hopped into the front passenger seat, while Auburn, it seemed, had taken note of Nitara and walked around to her side of the wagon.

"So," he said, as he puffed up his chest a bit. "You do work for crews like this often?"

"Often enough," Nitara said.

"Really?" Auburn said. "Kind of amazing that I haven't seen you before. I'm on guard duty all the time."

"There's a lot of people here."

Auburn gave her a quick wink. "I'd remember someone like you."

Micah coughed or... snorted or something, just as Nitara looked over at Auburn, who let his easy smile linger before going to speak.

"By the way I'm—"

"Maybe we should just focus on the job." Nitara said, and not a word more.

Auburn lost a bit of his swagger. "Oh...uh..." though he quickly found it again. "Yeah, totally. I've gotta get back on rotation soon anyway so—"

"I've gotta take a leak." Clergy nearly jumped as he heard Alvon speak.

Auburn cleared his throat. "We're almost at the lodge. Whole inspection won't even last the full quarter call. You'll be fine."

"Not this time," Alvon said. "Can't hold it." He looked around. "I'll just go by that lodge over there." He braced to stand.

"Woah!"

"Easy!"

Auburn and Scar called out together. Auburn placed a hand on Alvon's shoulder, just as Scar turned toward the back. Abel brought the wagon to a stop.

"No one's going anywhere," Scar said. "You can wait till after the inspection."

Alvon eyed Auburn for a moment who let go of his shoulder. Cautiously.

That's not unnerving at all, Clergy thought to himself. He had to fight the urge to squirm as Alvon shifted back into his seat.

He squirmed anyway.

"Don't tell me you need to go too," Nitara said, looking over at Clergy. She raised a brow as she hid her hand behind her leg and spun her finger. Right where Auburn and Scar couldn't see.

I think she wants me to lie. "Yeah," Clergy said, "I do... actually kind of have to go..."

"We'll go together then," Alvon said. He pointed his thumb behind him. "Just right over there."

Don't freak out. Don't freak out—

"I'll go too," Nitara said.

Alvon scoffed. "Now you gotta take a leak?"

"No," she said. "I'm going because I don't like you, and I don't trust you."

Alvon actually chuckled at that.

"We don't have time for this," Scar said suddenly. "And we don't have time for piss breaks either."

"Maybe we could split up," Micah said. "Dad and I can get the inspection started, then the rest of you can come meet us when you're finished."

"That sounds like a good idea," Abel said, as he turned toward Micah. "Solves all our problems." Then he looked at Scar. "We wouldn't have to start the inspection late. That'd keep you on time and the sergeant happy."

Scar thought about it for a moment. "Fine," he said, "but I'm staying with the inspection. Ain't no way I'm babysitting a bathroom break."

"Works for me," Auburn said. Then he turned toward Nitara. "Guess we're spending more time together after all."

Nitara rolled her eyes. "Guess so."

"Let's get moving then," Alvon said. He started to stand. Everyone else soon followed suit, while Auburn started heading for the rear.

Abel tapped the back of his seat. "Might as well come sit a little closer," he said, as he waved Micah over.

He obeyed, but as he did Clergy saw Abel was signing numbers with his waving hand as he brought it back to his chest. Right where Scar couldn't see and while Auburn's back was turned. Four. Three. Four. Abel finished just as Micah made his way to the seat closest to the front.

"Let's make sure this goes smoothly." Abel said, as he pulled Micah's head to his chest. "I don't want any horsing around today, got it?"

Micah grinned as he fought Abel's grip. "You sure about this?"

"Absolutely." He pulled in Micah a little harder. "Now, you got it or not?"

Micah laughed and pushed himself off Abel. "Yeah, I got it," he said. "Lemme just talk to Nitara real quick."

He made his way past Clergy over to her.

"I got it," Nitara said, looking over at him.

Micah nodded. "I know," he said in a hushed tone. "But I can go with Clergy. You'd be better on point, even with your ankle."

She turned back toward him. "Just keep the plan as it is," she said. "As long as you don't try anything cute we'll be fine."

Micah smirked as he gave a quick shrug. "I mean I can't help that."

"Go," Nitara said, as she rolled her eyes. "Before I change my mind."

Micah laughed then started heading toward the front again.

Clergy glanced around at the others. Nitara hopped off the back, while Abel talked with Scar in the front. So... Clergy thought, as he took his first step, is anyone gonna tell me what's going on or...

"Oh, sorry Clergy," Micah said, turning back to face him. "Just stay with Nitara and try not to get in her way." After that, he made his way to the front and joined in on Abel's conversation.

Great, Clergy thought, this'll be lots of fun. He started heading towards Nitara, just as Alvon bent down to open a crate.

"Hold on," Scar said, turning to face Alvon as he raised a hand to Abel. "Can't let you hide all the good stuff on this 'bathroom break.' Leave the crates alone."

Alvon said nothing but complied, leaving the crate alone and hopping off the back.

So now they don't have weapons...

Auburn slapped the side of the wagon and waved as Micah, Abel, and Scar rode off ahead.

Nitara and Auburn were still walking away, leaving Clergy alone with Alvon. He hurried after them.

Eventually, Nitara stopped. Once Clergy reached her he stopped too. She waited and let Alvon pass in front of her as she glared, before continuing to walk beside Clergy.

He stared at his feet as they tread down the dirt path. Some information would be nice...

"So, what am I actually doing?" Clergy asked in a hushed tone.

Nitara looked over at him. "I thought Micah explained it pretty well."

Clergy groaned. "I mean what are we gonna do about—"

"You're taking a leak," Nitara said. "Anything else isn't your business unless I say it is," and the conversation ended there.

Perfect, Clergy thought to himself. Eventually, they'd made it back pretty close to the stable. There was only one lodge between it and them.

"This is good enough," Auburn said. Then he pointed to the far end of the lodge beside them. "You two can go over there and take your piss." He gave them both a stern look, while he tapped his sword. "I'll be right here."

Clergy looked ahead at the wall. The site of his grave. He shook his head. Don't freak out. He took his first step. Don't freak out. His legs were shaking. Don't freak out! Don't freak out! He yelped as Alvon reached out to grab him and kill him and— Alvon reached into his cloak. Oh. He rummaged around until he pulled out a mask and two small wooden rods that were slightly curved. What're those fo—

Clergy took two steps back. Alvon's mask was wooden like all the others, but that was almost all they had in common. Alvon's was burnt. Badly. The whole front looked like it could've been a lamb or a goat or... something, but the face was gone. All that was left was the charred wooden frame, like bones beneath flesh.

He screwed the two rods onto the mask like horns, donned his hood, then the mask.

He looked like a monster.

He's really gonna kill me. It was the only thought Clergy had. He stepped back again. I need help. He turned toward Nitara, but she was ... chatting with Auburn. What?

It didn't matter. Their backs were turned. They couldn't see what was happening. Clergy would die. Alone. His insides froze over as Alvon glanced at him, but then he looked away, over at Nitara as well. She glanced behind her back and nodded.

Alvon started striding over. Then burst into a sprint.

"Oh my god!" Nitara screamed suddenly. "What is that?"

Auburn spun around just in time to spot a glimpse of Alvon and gawk, before Alvon cracked his chin with a running punch. Auburn crumpled to the ground.

Holy shit, Clergy thought to himself.

Alvon looked down at Auburn, before bending down to take his sword. Nitara put her foot on top of it.

Alvon eyed her for a moment. "We'll need it."

She met his gaze. "I know."

They both stayed like that for a moment. Glaring.

"So worried I'll misbehave," Alvon finally said.

Nitara scoffed. "I'm not worried."

Alvon's face betrayed nothing. "We'll see." After that he stood and backed away from Auburn.

Nitara watched him as she bent down, took Auburn's sword herself, and backed away. Now, Alvon grabbed Auburn by the back of his collar and dragged him behind a nearby lodge.

"Let's go Clergy," Nitara said, as she turned to walk up the path deeper into the village. "We don't have a lot of time."

Clergy had nearly forgotten himself in the chaos of the moment. He started heading toward her.

"Oh you're back already?" It was Nathan.

Of course he's still here, Clergy thought to himself. Why's he still here?

He still hadn't turned to face Nathan. Instead, he watched Nitara very casually toss her sword behind a nearby crate, as she turned and strode toward Clergy. What is she? Ow! She grabbed Clergy's arm and pulled him close into a huddle.

"I'll talk him off," she said in a hushed tone. "Just keep your shit together."

Clergy nodded and they both turned toward Nathan. He couldn't quite make a smile in time, but Clergy did the best he could.

"Where's the Sarge and everyone else?" Nathan asked. "I figured they'd still be with y'all so soon after the inspection."

Nitara smiled and Nathan blushed at the sight. "Oh the inspection's not over yet," Nitara said. "Everyone's still back at Raythea."

"Oh..." Nathan said. His face was still red but he gave them a puzzled look. "One of Sarge's boys didn't want to come with you?"

"I didn't want to bother them. They seemed pretty focused on the inspection. Cl—" she paused, "my friend here just wasn't feeling well, so we're getting some fresh air. It's such a nice day today, don't you think?"

Nathan smiled. "It's a little chilly, but I guess the sun's nice and bright and that feels pretty good. He looked over at Clergy for a moment. "I'm sorry your friend isn't feeling well." Then he eagerly snapped back to Nitara. "Is there something I can get you? There's water in the stable, and there's apples and some cheese in the back, and—"

"We're fine," Nitara said, as she let out a laugh. "Honestly. We appreciate your help, but we're just gonna wait out here for a little while then head back to Rayethea."

"Ok," Nathan said. "I'll just leave you to it then. He started to walk away.

"Actually there is one thing." It was Alvon, calling out from behind them as he came from around the bend.

Clergy and Nitara both turned toward him. Auburn was gone, and he had no mask. Just the clothes he came with and that same placid look.

"Oh, you came out to help your friend too?"

Alvon eyed him for a moment. "No," he said at last. "They sent me after. You two were taking a while. Guards were getting antsy."

"Al-Alright," Nathan said. "What did you need?"

"Another horse brush," Alvon said. "The old man won't accept the one we got is done. It's been a week and the horse is still matted. We need a new one."

Why's he doing this? Clergy thought to himself. He was about to walk away.

Nathan's face lit up a bit. "I think we've got a spare in the back somewhere. You can come wait by the stable, while I pull it out for you."

"I don't know," Nitara said. "If everyone's so worried, maybe we should all head back—"

"You should go," Alvon said. "You're the ones they're waiting on."

Sounds good to me, Clergy thought to himself. The more people around the better. He started to walk away— Ow!

Nitara grabbed his wrist. "I really don't think we should separate—"

"It'll be fine," Alvon said, looking her in the eyes. "This won't take long." By now he'd walked close enough that the three of them were nearly huddled together.

"Let's not make a scene," he said in a hushed tone. Then he walked ahead toward Nathan. He motioned toward the stable. "After you."

Nathan nodded and the two of them started heading down the path toward the stable together.

Nitara stood and waited, glaring ahead with tight fists and a face full of anger. A moment passed them by. Then another, and another, until there were too many to count. Why is she so upset? What just happened? Clergy thought to himself. He dared not break the silence though so it lingered as—

Nitara stormed back up the path with an exasperated sigh, until she reached the crates she was standing by before. She bent down and grabbed her sword, then turned around and started heading toward the stable.

Oh boy.

She said nothing as she marched past Clergy. Should... should I follow? Nitara was further down the path now, approaching the stable. Clergy stood alone in the open space. Ok, no, I'm going. He raced after her.

Clergy watched as Nitara made it inside. A moment passed silently. Really? No reaction? He hurried along until he was at the stable himself. There were no horses surprisingly. Just the hay strewn spaces that marked where they'd once been, over on the right. Dead ahead of him was the door to what seemed like a quaint little home attached to the stable. It was cracked open. Clergy took a breath and went inside and—

He shuddered.

The inside was as modest as the exterior foretold. There was a table to his right with four chairs around it and cards strewn on top. A bed hugged the far left corner, though the chimney's fireplace took up much of that wall. Set just before the modest hearth was a small table with some mugs, pots, and various utensils. He trembled again. There was a small fire going inside the chimney's niche, but the heat didn't help. Nothing could because— No...

Nitara was standing a few paces away, looming over Alvon and he... he— No, no, no.

Alvon was kneeling by the right wall over Nathan, who was laying on the floor. His face was tinged blue. His eyes were bulging. Thin bruises wrapped around his neck. He was gone.

He was dead.

He...he killed him...

"You didn't have to do this," Nitara said suddenly.

Alvon didn't move. "Maybe he gets curious."

"You didn't have to do this."

He looked back at her. "Maybe he gets help."

She cocked her head to the side. "Gets help?" She asked. "Why? Because he saw some people walking around?" She motioned toward Nathan. "Look at him! He's a kid, not a guard! What was he gonna do?"

Alvon stood and started walking away. "We're wasting time. We need to—"

Nitara grabbed his shoulder. "Tell me. What you thought. He could do."

Alvon stared down at her hand before looking back at her. "He was asking too many questions, and we both know Gad loves using spies. That kid could easily be reporting what he sees."

"He's just a kid. What could he have said? What could he have done?

"You and I were kids once," Alvon said, "and we did a lot worse."

Nitara's glare deepened with disgust. She took a step closer. "Don't get confused," she said. "You and I, are nothing alike, and this kid, was never a threat. All you had to do was walk away."

"Maybe," Alvon said. He pointed down at Nathan. "But now I'm sure."

Nitara took a step back and readied her stance, grabbing the hilt of her sword.

Alvon looked down at it, then back at her. "Worried after all."

Nitara unsheathed a bit of the blade. "The only one who should be worried her is you."

"Why? We both know you're not gonna do it. Especially not here." He started to walk toward her, but she quickly unsheathed her sword and pointed the blade at him.

"You don't know a thing about me."

Alvon looked down at the blade. He frowned. "I know enough," he said after a moment, then he met her gaze again. "Now either use the blade or step aside, because I'm not apologizing."

Nitara scoffed. "You don't have to be sorry. Just take one more step."

There were no more threats, no more words. Just glares and silence. Another moment passed but it seemed like Clergy was the only one who noticed.

They're not gonna leave. Clergy froze at the thought. He hated to admit it, but they'd been standing here too long. He could feel it. Abel had said they were running behind, and now they were running behind again. Ezra was still going to take his shot they— we're not gonna make it.

He... he had to do something. He took a step deeper into the room. "Do...do we really have time for this?"

They both turned their heads and glared at him.

Clergy started to sweat. Why did I talk?

After another moment Nitara looked back over at Alvon. She sucked her teeth.

"There's always time," she finally said, looking back over at Nathan. She stayed like that for a moment. Then she let a breath go.

"But it'll come later." Her scowl deepened, and the lines around her face betrayed the pain she carried. Her bitter anguish. Her long sorrow. "You don't get to die until I know it was you."

"That's how I know you won't do it," Alvon said. "Because it wasn't me."

Nitara sheathed her blade with an exasperated sigh and a moment later she was halfway out the stable. Alvon watched her go. It took Clergy a moment to realize he was alone with him again. He quickly followed behind her.