Rays of dawn crept over the Manor courtyard, providing a modicum of comfort from the night’s coolness before the heat inevitably overwhelmed. The thirty that remained outside were slow to rise. Knowing there would be no food or water waiting for them, they huddled in the dirt, trying to settle their rattling stomachs. They would rise when Boah commanded them to, but no sooner.

The four prisoners lay against their logs, unable to sleep from their various forms of restlessness. Nightmares attacked Eevi for most of the night, and the remaining mercenaries were still building the courage to swallow their vials of poison, knowing they wouldn’t be able to until the last moment. Urash was the last to open his eyes, irritated by the very fact he still drew breath.

“On yo’ feet,” Thed commanded. The guard had regained some confidence since his injury last night, but not much. Eevi had stabbed his dominant hand, and despite spending most of the night trying to bandage it, he couldn’t move his fingers anymore. He used his left to curl the wounded hand repeatedly, but the pain was too great for now. He had other guards that’d assist him if need be.

Eevi and the guards did as told, but Urash lay still on the ground. At first, Thed thought the man had died overnight, but he knew better. He kicked the crippled man in his shattered knee, waking him with a yelp. Thed giggled, proud he had reduced this pathetic fool to a soon-to-be corpse. His humor lasted only for a moment before he realized that the man couldn’t stand. Thed grunted, picking up Urash and throwing him over his shoulders.

Eevi saw this all as she realized the massive guard carried her crossbow on his back. Urash flopped against the weapon, his body contorting against its strings. She winced; after all she had done to protect it, this guard would certainly destroy it, probably by falling back against a wall too hard.

Thed led the prisoners to the fountain, its once perpetual gushing of water unnaturally still. Despite insistence by the guards not to touch it until fixed, the fountain had already dried up considerably in the sun. Even untouched, it would certainly evaporate in the next few days.

Eevi licked her dried lips at the sight of the fountain. It had only been half a day, but the heat was already unbearable. If asked, she would have gladly forfeit her life for one more drink. If they sacrificed her early, perhaps she would not die too thirsty.

Thed and the other guards positioned the prisoners along one side of the fountain, commanding each to get on their knees. Only Urash lay flat, for obvious reasons.

“Merciful Ati,” Urash whispered. “Why is it taking so long?”

Eevi could only pity the man so much. Despite everything, Urash clung to life in defiance of his own will.

As the prisoners settled, the others in the courtyard approached. Their attention focused past the prisoners towards the fountain, having watched its water evaporate through the day. Some of the more astute wondered whether any guard helped themselves for a cup or two, noting that they were far too energetic to have gone without it this whole time. Many reminisced back to the Day of Akkavan, when they tossed water so lackadaisically in all the commotion. They dreamed of being able to splash it on their faces, or swimming in the Thorne like they had done so long ago.

Most, however, knew that once they offered the prisoners, they would drink more than their fill.

It was not long before the rest of the Corps exited the Manor, rested as much as one could be. Boah, Juddken, and Harran led the procession, eager to move things along. There was a muted response from the crowd. They cared not for words, for their stomachs craved water too much for that. Boah took note, requesting the prisoners to be brought out posthaste. Of course, Boah had asked for them to be brought much earlier. He knew first-hand how long it took to climb those steps.

But the prisoners hadn't arrived yet. Boah would have to test the crowd's patience just a little further. He motioned for all to gather around the fountain. There were barely fifty. He met a few in the eyes before turning away. He felt only frustration and anger. Not at him, but it would not be long before they did.

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“I’ve tried my best to give you all a good life,” Boah almost whispered as he trudged around the fountain. “Ever since I was a little boy, carrying water across the Eivetta. Over the years, you’ve heard my words. You’ve memorized them by this point. You know where I stand, and you’ve seen what I’ve done for the betterment of us all. But despite everything, it has not been enough. Witches, outsiders, and nonbelievers... all have tormented us. I’m sure even out in this crowd, there are still some who doubt.”

Boah stared out now, trying to greet their eyes. Some did. Many did not. He would have to move things along.

“We have betrayed at every chance. This curse has hurt us all. It has taken the lives of our mothers and fathers. Brothers and sisters. Friends. Our children. We can never go back.”

Mercifully, the last few guards exited the Manor. They led three men wearing dark hoods, their shackles clacking as they trudged toward the fountain. A few jeered, but most watched in silence. Boah’s smile quickly vanished as the crowd’s excitement plateaued at nothing.

“What will another sacrifice do for us?” a voice in the crowd called out. “Is this truly the only way?”

Boah sighed, trying to find the perpetrator in the mix. He could always add another blasphemer, but he had to temper himself. Too much aggression would do little to placate the masses. He instead pointed to his son, who watched with unblinking eyes as the guards placed the prisoners around the fountain.

“Among you, there is another who has been blessed by Okkan’s grace. One who has proven time and time again that he is a conduit. You see Juddken’s strength yet still doubt? He knows that our sacrifices have been too small, too diluted. Only by purging the guilty are we to be saved.”

Instead of silence or jubilant applause, another voice made itself known, a woman from the far back. “Can we not just leave? Our numbers are many. What if we take a chance for the wall?”

Boah shook his head. “Impossible. The demons are too many. It is a life we cannot live. I would rather die than have any of you become one of them.”

Boah hoped that his proclamation would be enough, but it instead roused the others. Suggestions for fleeing or fighting or fixing the well again made themselves known. It would be too plentiful to add any to this sacrifice now. But he had to stop the criticisms before they became too bold.

“Enough!” Boah yelled. “Enough with the suggestions! This is the way! There is no other, so cease your prattling!” None had ever seen him so agitated, or even let his emotions get the best of him. The courtyard became completely still, save for the rattling of the chain shackles.

Boah paced around the prisoners, the seven of them now kneeling in front of the fountain. He stood over Urash, gesturing to him and his remaining mercenaries. “Behold, the arbiter and his tribe of traitors! Their machination takes away our water, leaving us at the mercy of the sun!” Boah gently placed his hands on each of their shoulders, leaving his on Eevi’s just a hair too long. She repressed a shutter before he moved on.

Boah then grabbed the hood of the first prisoner to the right of Eevi. “Behold! The one who defied Shadeon Law! Who aided the one who propagated this very curse, desecrated our bodies, and attempted to kill our conduit!" With his announcement, Boah flung the hood back for his crowd to see. A spattering of boos met Jere as he squinted at the newfound light.

Eevi’s mouth fell at the sight. “Jere?” she mustered in disbelief.

Jere forced his eyes open, still adjusting after a few days of darkness. “Eevi?” he said. He smiled, even if mixed in with shock and surprise.

Boah waited for the jeering to die down before moving on to the next prisoner. “Behold! One of many who aided the defilers.” He removed the hood of Adok, which resulted in a far more muted reaction. Boah was quick to take note. “Even a traitor the size of a mouse is an elephant in the eyes of Okkan! Do not temper judgment by familiarity, for he is an example of what inauthentic faith resembles!”

Adok likewise squinted in the sun, though his change came more slowly. Despite everything, Eevi was happy to see him unharmed, even if it was just a moment longer.

Finally, Boah stood behind the last prisoner, noting his Corps outfit. He wished he had ended with Jere or Urash, but he could work with it. “And finally, behold! Another who not just defiled our God, but had the audacity to return here and steal our water! These thieves, living off what the faithful provide. He is no better than any raider, bandit, or treasure seeker who takes advantage of others! He, too, will be punished!”

Boah pulled off the prisoner’s hood, already moving on to the fountain. But the reaction of the crowd stopped him: more a collective gasp than a jeer. Boah turned, expecting to find the Corps guard Heikk. Instead, he greeted the face of a ghost.

Appo Illonnorot stood, his chains unshackling.

“Your sacrifices will do nothing, Boah Awil-Ishtar,” Appo said. “You know this.”