“It is an unimaginable tragedy,” Lothren agreed breathlessly. “I share your sentiment. What I truly wonder is this: whatever those beasts were, what did they gain from destroying a nation?”

He traded a look with Aust, who had been carrying Annara without complaint. They did make quite a pair. After seeing them playing each other’s love interest in The Aurelian Collector countless times, it was sometimes difficult to separate stories from reality.

“And will they stop there?”

[center]***[/center]

“Humble group of…” The guard leaned back off the parapet, pushing back his iron helmet to unobstruct his view. After hanging there to stew for a moment in incredulity, he passed a look to his partner further down the wall. “D’you hear that, Rod? They’re just travelin’.”

“Look like elves to me,” Rodney replied, leaned back in his stool and plucking the string of his crossbow.  “You gonna do somethin’ about it or stand there and make jests?”

“Well,” the first guard sucked on his teeth, “did have a good one about the human there. Suppose they'll eat her for supper?”

“A human?” Rodney set all the legs of his stool down and rose to his feet. From below, the Ytharien saw another silhouette blot the sky as he appeared over the wall to peer down at them. Uttering a curse, he moved his partner along with a shove and drew a bolt from the bench nearby. “She looks hurt. Come on, you idiot.”

In short order, the gate was lifted by the winch, revealing both guards standing just beyond on the other side. The first had his sword drawn, and the other held his loaded crossbow at the ready. The swordsman ducked under the rising and approached the party with his blade pointed at the blonde elf.

“Each o’you, show your hands.” A necessary question for elves known for their hand cannons and magic devices. There were tales of  elves shooting men dead after little more than reaching into their vests. “Yer all three to come with us peaceful, and nobody gets hurt.”

“Four,” Rodney offered from behind his crossbow.

“Damnit, I can count!” The guard tipped his head at the human. “The girl’s a blasted native, not a human. An' looks like she's comin' to.”