“Please… We can’t abandon them.” Celeste cried, both Arabella and Valleresa trying to comfort her. The bishop sighed loudly, then stepped forward.

“As the Mother wills it will be done.” The older Sherya man spoke in short, clipped words. “Brother Gardinal, take these Korek and half the Faith Militia and get the Prophetess to safety. I will take the rest and fight our way to the gates to send word to the Golden Hammers for help along with the city guard.” He glanced at the golden-haired girl who looked back at him with thankful eyes full of admiration. “You will get to safety, Your Radiance, no matter what. But if you insist, then we will fight for Southshore as well.” He then turned to the Ga’Se and began to speak to him in Korek’Ta.

Gardinal studied the men around him. He couldn’t treat this like a parade. If the fires in the distance were any indication, Southshore was a battlefield now. He had to think of it like a war; think like he had in the war. Two dozen men to protect Her Radiance? That wasn’t enough, not without armour, exposed in the streets. Every shadow could hide their death. No, greater numbers would only serve to draw attention. They needed a better plan.

“Father.” Gardinal spoke, and the bishop turned to him. “Take all the Faith Militia save three.” Gardinal turned scanned the backs of the men and chose three that he knew he could trust. “and we will take three Korek as well.”

“That is hardly enough to defend her properly Brother Gardinal what are you…”

“Neither is two dozen.” Gardinal spoke up again. “I’ve seen two dozen men ripped to shreds by a single Theremya Twisted One. I fear a daemon as we met in the sewers would do much the same.” The image of that horrific Theremya monstrosity, once a man but no longer, shot through his mind. For a split second he felt blessed that at least the situation could be worse. “But if we stay small, we might be able to avoid detection completely. That many men will be noticed, and if X is looking for her, he’ll be looking for a large contingent.”

The Bishop narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure Brother?”

“Yes.” Gardinal set his jaw. They locked eyes for a long moment before the bishop nodded his ascent.

“I will go.” Rekiak stepped up. “I will protect her.” He then shouted in Korek’ta and two of the larger Korek moved out of the circle to his side. “We pledge our lives to her safety.” All three pushed their heads up and slapped their necks as if to make a point.

Turning back to the wall of men Gardinal called out his orders. “Steffan, Theresad, Dolan, present.” Three well built young men, two Fereni and a Fershya, stepped out of the circle and saluted Gardinal. Looking over them, and the Korek, Gardinal nodded. Three Korek, three Faith Militia, himself, the two handmaidens and Her Radiance, it would have to be enough. The plan was a gamble, but war was always a gamble.

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Stepping forward he took the Prophetess’s arm, and the men moved into place around him.

“Brother Gardinal.” The Bishop spoke. “More than you could possibly imagine lies in your hands. Do not fail.”

Gardinal nodded. “My life for hers, I swear it.” He responded, and the other guards echoed his oath. Forming rank, they began to move, pushing out of the circle and into Korek town.

The twisting pathways between the tents were now mostly empty save for the occasional red-skinned man or woman rushing about looking for a weapon. It seemed the Korek were preparing for war. As they moved along, Rekiak and his men grabbed weapons as well, stout clubs and heavy axes mostly. The weapons of laborers, but surely dangerous in the hands of men so large.

They were nearly halfway through Korek town when a falcon’s call nearly caused him to jump out of his skin. But as a gold and silver flecked bird alighted onto his shoulder, a small grin formed on Gardinal’s face. It was about time.

“Movement ahead!” Steffan shouted, his blade at the ready.

“Stand down.” Gardinal ordered as Vallerian and Kriss strode out from a nearby shadow. The boy had a spear, Korek-made from its rough knotted wood, and Vallerian had himself a bow and quiver. It was of fine make, so likely the lord had stored it somewhere nearby.

“Need a hand?” Vallerian grinned with that smug look of his, and Gardinal almost didn’t want to punch it.

“Aye.” He shouted back, and the two strode up to them.

“Kriss! Vallerian!” Celeste gasped with joy.

“To the wall?” Vallerian asked, looking over towards the huge wall that separate Southshore from Silvermarket.

“No, we wouldn’t be let through.” Gardinal explained. “Even with you.”

“Where to then?” He asked, shrugging.

“The Temple.” Celeste answered, looking over at Kriss and smiling. “Vallerian, might I borrow your knife for a moment?”

Gardinal looked at her and glowered, but the lord did as he was asked and passed her a blade from his sleeve. Reaching down she grasped the hem of her dress, trailing behind her, and sliced it off to almost the ankle.

“I have no intentions of stumbling this time.” She grinned and handed the blade back to Vallerian. The lord smiled back and nodded approvingly.

“Come along now.” Gardinal stepped in as Kriss stepped towards Her Radiance. “We can all catch up when she’s safe in the temple.”

They all nodded, took up positions around the girl in the white silk gown, and continued on through Korek town toward the temple.

“Thank you.” The Prophetess whispered after walking for a short while. Glancing down Gardinal truly looked at her for the first time in weeks. Then he felt it, the sweet caress of her light. Seeping through her hand and into his arm it melted into him like golden honey on the tongue. It was life itself, flowing through him, and with it he knew he could slay any daemon that dared threaten her. “I missed you.” She spoke, holding tightly to his arm. For the first time in a long time, Gardinal smiled.

“And I you.” He responded warmly. “Now let’s get you home.”