The moon hanging clearly above had cast Ingrid’s silhouette and flagging long hair against the pavement and cityscape of the town as she was fleeing in the direction of the docks. Her eyes drifted down to her display, where she read the message she had received. It read, ‘The situation at the Lodge is very strange. I’m taking hunters to Keoma’s forge and will meet up there.’ She made a sound of disgust as she approached the van.

Desdin was sitting in the main cabin with several older books when he heard someone beating at the door outside. The banging didn’t halt until he had opened the door, allowing Ingrid to rush in and almost falling over. She was struggling to catch her breath. She gazed desperately at Desdin with fear spilling out of her eyes. “Desdin, I didn’t know where to turn. Lady Amise turned into something. Some terrible thing.”

Desdin placed his arm on her shoulder and asked, “Where are Demalyn and Cherry?”

Ingrid recalled the events in her mind, still not believing what she had seen. “Demalyn killed Amise. Somehow. I’ve never seen anything like it. The hunters showed up and took her. I don’t know about Cherry. I don’t think Leoris is safe.”

Desdin breathed sharply in through his teeth. He blinked, then said, “Yea, okay. Can you take me to Keoma’s forge? We will go there and stay while we figure this out. Go ahead to the gate, stay low and wait for me there.”

Ingrid gave him an understanding look. “Please don’t take long. I’ve never been so frightened.” She clutched herself for warmth as the chill of the air penetrated her skin. She looked around nervously.

After seeing her walk away, Desdin moved towards the weapons locker inside the van. He took out a large bag, grabbing two short swords and daggers and placing them carefully into it. He packed up Cherry’s longsword and her chrism pistol. Desdin then went to the closet, housing the rest of his gear. He pulled out a trunk on wheels and placed his armor inside with care. Finally, he donned his jacket and a cloak before he made his way to Ingrid.

The streets in Leoris were silent. The chrism lamps seemed dim and quivered on and off in some spots. “Listen, Ingrid, my friends and I are here to help, but I want you to know from me we aren’t normal travelers.” She remained silent. She was slowing down in leading him through the streets, when he took her hand and gripped it. “I’ll do everything I can. I don’t want to see anyone get hurt, okay?” She then looked back at him with a chilling gaze filled with fear and doubt.

Approaching the hill they could see the forge blazing with authentic flames. Camps with several dozen tents had been established around the parameter. The campfires warmed men, women and children from the local communities. Their pots poured smoky aromas of homely food into the air. People were busying themselves with small talk among the comforts they had established.

Arriving at the forge, Desdin was visibly invigorated by the heat that emanated from the walls and windows of the immense, cylindrical dome building. The forge was partially nestled into the hill behind it. Smoke spilled out from the top of it where vents opened to release steam from the craft making process. A guard on duty outside recognized Desdin and motioned for him to come inside. He directed Desdin to Keoma’s location at the main forge.

It was an enormous room with a large kiln towards the end. Set inside the furnace was a raised pit of molten materials circulating in front of it. Various students of the smithy milled about at work. While others seemed to enjoy a break at one of the many tables away from the crafting stations. They were all engaged in conversation regarding their work and about the mysterious sword Keoma had brought in with him.

The man himself was at a station wearing goggles, an apron, and gloves. He wielded pliers and a doming hammer, while two of his students focused on watching him work. One poked him, pointing towards Desdin and Ingrid. Keoma raised his goggles, making the soot and ash covering him much more evident.

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Keoma shouted across the room at another group that looked as if they had just arrived. Stokely, with his imposing physique, advanced towards the assembly. As they all met up Keoma was the first to speak up. “Seeing you here right now with a trunk and the librarian does not bode well. The entire town is silent, and the hub has had some blackouts. The flow of chrism throughout Leoris is dull, which isn’t unusual for winter, but it is uncharacteristically early. We have hunters and patrolmen sweeping the town. We have them stationed at the hospital as well, where Hobe and Walstaff are staying. What do you all of you know?”

Stokely eagerly spoke up, “The lodge, I’m afraid, is under some spell. Vilsin is wandering around with some strange lady that looks like death. He has been calling her Marnie and said his son was coming back. I learned tonight that he killed a patient from the hospital without explanation. We've jailed two outsiders there. But after seeing Vilsin, many of us doubt their involvement. Some are remaining in place there that are loyal to the lodge, however, about half of us left to come here.”

“Nothing good then,” Desdin said, “Your town is under threat from a Fallen matriarch. She has abilities I’ve never seen firsthand before. A matriarch could make small settlements vanish off the map. I now believe she did this by infecting and altering humans she killed. That is most likely what happened to your Lady Amise by Ingrid’s account and probably what is happening to Vilsin by your story. I’m sorry.”

Keoma nodded while Ingrid was grinding her teeth. Stokely asked, “What makes some slave an expert on this matter?”

“I am or rather I was the eleventh Warden of the Farland. Handling these types of situations was among our duties," Desdin answered. Ingrid’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Desdin. Stokely, while visibly startled by his proclamation, stood his ground with arms folded.

Withdrawing her gaze, Ingrid asked him poignantly, “And what would a Warden suggest doing in these circumstances?”

Desdin confidently answered, “The Fallen we are up against, she is moving her timeframe forward at a frightening pace in order to snuff us out. Tomorrow might be our last chance to save Leoris. Her attempts to keep us behind her plans and the reason she isn’t attacking us outright at this moment is significant. I believe she has used up a lot of her strength in producing her children. She needs time to recover and won’t expect us to work together in fighting back.”

“Ingrid, Stokely, you both have had a hell of a day. Why not get a stiff drink and some food? It is a lot to take in.” Keoma then motioned for one of his men to come over.

The pair stepped off to a table where they sat together. Ingrid stared down at her coffee cup after sipping the warm spirits. “Disgraceful. You ran from your duty Stokely. A poor substitute for Allsin and you will never replace Vilsin. You should have stayed where you belonged and taken care of it the problem there.” She looked at him suddenly, judgingly.

He sat with one arm on his leg and another on the table. “Amise trained your tongue well. And maybe you are right. But I will disagree with you on this. That thing he is talking about. The matriarch. I saw her there at the lodge. It felt like she could see inside me. I was terrified. The hunters that stayed behind. I could feel her changing them. The ones I left behind moved like they had no will of their own. And Vilsin’s mannerisms and words. It was like something had borrowed him and was using him as a puppet. I had to save those around me.”

Frustrated, she exclaimed, “You heard him? She is weakened. You are just weaker. And so what, we’ve lost two of the most influential people in this town and now we have to ask these drifters for help? A monster! Some random outsider! And a Warden! Wardens who openly attacked our great Union!”

Stokely flatly said, “Yea, no wonder I lost to that guy. Still, we have Leoris to think of. We must do everything in our power to get us out of this mess. Even at his age, Keoma is the most adept fighter in all the town. And Walstaff has always been extremely popular with the general population. And because more wealthy citizens rely on the hospital, they will listen to Hobe. With those three, we have a chance, I hope. We both lost someone special today, so try to ease the bitterness.

Ingrid pouted before sitting back and resigning herself to her seat. “As long as we are all in agreement that once this is over, they must leave, even if it is the dead of winter.” She glared intently at Desdin. He gave her a reassuring smirk while speaking with Keoma. She faked a smile until he looked away and haughtily said, “They will do well to fix this mess. And be grateful if we allow them to leave without turning them in.”