“I have, for better or worse,” Farrin answered the blind woman. “Time is the one blade that is impossible to parry, and it kills slowly. Fortunately, the gods have seen fit to give me plenty of it.” Cical’s underhand landed the gem neatly into Farrin’s hand, and he pocketed the gem with a satisfied grin. He was about to speak again, when a handful of peasants bolted towards their direction, screaming.

	“Kothar has broken through! We’re doomed!” They hurled themselves against the tavern door, banging their fists against the wood. Farrin’s hand went to his sword, old instincts kicking in. From his position, he could make out the plumed helmets and banners of Kothar soldiers down the street. 

	“Seems the Mennonites have lost,” Farrin grumbled. “Everyone - we must make for the stables and make good our escape. As comptent as I’m sure you believe yourselves to be, we cannot fight an entire company off.” He stepped away from the tavern, gave the villagers a sad look and shook his head. “Follow me!” he commanded, and took off down the street in the opposite direction. Farrin waved his sword - a beacon for the assembled to rally to.

	The sound of battle was growing louder now as the Mennonites put up last-ditch struggles in pockets of the town. Several fires blazed in adjacent streets, the smell of woodsmoke thick in the air. The shouting of Kotharan soldiers was growing ever closer, and so too were the screams of the dying.

[center] - - - [/center]

	The group had navigated several blocks before Farrin finally announced their arrival. The stables were still intact, it seemed, and the horses were still penned, if their frenzied neighing was any indication. Farrin made for one of the doors before he froze - a unit of Kotharan hoplites had appeared just around the corner. The bronzed soldiers exchanged a surprised look at the cosmopolitan band of adventurers, but snapped to when they recognized Farrin’s Mennonite armor. 

	“No choice but to fight! Let’s see if you’re fit for the job,” Farrin bellowed over his shoulder, and readied his weapon.