The Homunculus Knight

Chapter 2: A Variety of Presents

“Our initial estimates were unfortunately too optimistic. We’ve managed to completely restore the city’s active wards, but some of the more complicated passive wards are proving difficult. Despite the Guardian Seraph’s return, we simply haven’t been able to undo all the damage inflicted by the aggressor. These wards took centuries of Priests and Magi working together to create, and even with all our resources, it will take a year or more to fix everything.” - Report of Hierophant Glynn to the City Court of Vindabon.

“You can’t be serious? They won’t let us back inside?” Cole muttered as he and Natalie stood outside the Final Flagon. The inn looked much the same as the last time the couple visited, only a few flowering vines crawling up its front marking a difference. It was two hours after the parade ended, and twilight had come to Vindabon. With it came the usual raucous celebrations and spring revelry, revelry Natalie insisted the couple take part in.

Smiling broadly, Natalie shook her head. “The city paid for the damages, and I stopped by to make a reservation two weeks ago. Aunty Allisa was initially worried, but some gold laid her concerns to rest.”

Trusting his lover, Cole pushed open the inn's door and was greeted with a raucous cry. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”

Cole’s axe was already in hand before he realized the nature of the ambush. Sitting at a corner table was a collection of familiar faces. Morri, Mina, Alia Cat-eyes, and a bespectacled Magi named Rellim.

Blinking in surprise, Cole looked over the celebrants and struggled to find appropriate words. Eventually, something resembling a response forced itself from his throat. “Thank you?”

Laughs and smiles greeted him, and Cole found himself dragged into a chair. Warm cider was poured for him, and Cole asked. “Why are you all here?”

Alia snorted and sipped spiced wine. “Natalie said she was having a party, and none of us had better options for the Equinox.”

Mina playfully flicked her girlfriend. “Stop being so awful.” then, looking at Cole, she added. “We were happy to be invited! Now how old are you?”

Cole blinked and looked at Natalie, who just shrugged. After an awkward pause, the Homunculus decided to bend the truth into a convenient shape. “I don’t truly know; I would estimate I’m closer to you than Morri age-wise. Birthdays and similar weren’t something of my… early life.”

Morri averted his gaze from Cole, the old priest clearly thinking about the solstice revelations. Clearing her throat, Natalie asked Mina. “Did you bring everything?”

Sighing, Mina pointed at a box sitting atop a covered trunk leaning against the nearby wall. Going to the box, Natalie grabbed a bottle of unlabeled wine from it and returned to the table. Beaming, she set it down at her spot and said. “Okay, I think we are ready to start the festivities.”

Raising an eyebrow, Alia pointed at the bottle. “They don’t usually let you bring your own booze to a place like this.”

Natalie started to answer when she saw another familiar figure step out from behind the bar. It was Yara, Natalie’s unwanted thrall. The young redhead carried a tray of drinks and brought them to the table. She looked better than Natalie had ever seen as she set bottles and glasses on the large table.

Alia refilled her glass and toasted Yara. “Thank you kindly!” then said to Natalie. “Sorry we started without you, but your friend here kept pestering Mina about finding a way to help, and I figured she could fetch us drinks.”

Yara was not invited to the party; she must have tagged along with Mina to be closer to Natalie. The thrall was still hopelessly bound to Natalie and resisted the idea of freedom. She lingered around the Temple doing odd jobs for anyone who asked, her damaged mind seeking submission and subservience wherever it could be found.

For a long moment, Natalie didn’t say anything, anger simmering beneath her composure. Yara had intruded, bringing her sickness and slavish loyalty to a night meant to be festive and fun. Eyes downcast, the thrall waited for Natalie to react, clearly expecting to be punished. She’d rebelled against her mistress’s implicit wishes and was ready to suffer. The need to be close to Natalie and be useful to her overpowered even conditioned obedience.

Shutting her eyes, Natalie let out a pointless breath. Pushing past the anger, she tried something new. Pointed at an empty seat, she addressed her thrall. “Sit down and join us, Yara; I take it you helped Mina.”

Shocked, Yara didn’t move for a moment, but after Natalie gestured at the chair a little more firmly, the redheaded woman obliged. Finally answering the asked question, Yara said, “Priestess Mina was having difficulty moving the trunk, and I helped her.”

While the exact details of Yara’s situation were known only to Natalie and Cole, the other guests realized something sour was involved here. Alia shifted uncomfortably and tapped her glass while Mina looked between Natalie and Yara. Eventually, Rellim the Magi broke the awkward silence. “So tell me, Natalie, can you draw?”

Blinking in surprise, Natalie looked at the Magi. She’d invited a score of people Cole knew to the party, but most had other events or duties to prevent them from attending. Yet somehow, the head of Vindabon’s archeological studies had no other commitments and now sat across from Morri with a pad of paper.

Glad to have a new topic, Natalie answered. “I’m passable, I prefer woodworking, but I know how to use a stylus or paint.”

Mina tried not to roll her eyes, thinking of Natalie’s recent invasion of her quarters. Rellim nodded and tapped the paper he had. “Good! I’d like you to draw what you saw in Alukah’s tomb for me. Cole’s scribbles aren’t worth the paper, and I hoped you might be able to better illustrate Annoch’s mausoleum.”

Cole cleared his throat. “She can do that later, but I take it your research is progressing?”

The Magi stroked his goatee and said. “Somewhat, your descriptions match some tombs documented in the Ganzir Mountains, which would make sense since the Rabisu’s territory encompassed those peaks. Perhaps Annoch was a native, or some of his servants were.”

Looking at Natalie, Cole explained. “I’ve asked Rellim to look into the Red Twilight era and see if the Ivory Tower has anything useful.”

Folding his drawing paper and putting the sheaf into his coat, Rellim elaborated. “I’ve not had much success. Most useful sources are probably in Qabsu and not things the local Magi would easily share. But I’m finding a few scraps here and there, enough to be possibly useful.”

It felt strange to Natalie that her secret was now considerably less secret. Events at the ball did much to shred the cloak of shadows she once wrapped herself. Those same events had also, thankfully, reduced the need for said cloak. Her presence in Vindabon was well known to both allies and enemies. While the knowledge she held some sort of ancient relic was quickly spreading through circles of power.

Alia changed the conversation then, pointing her chin at the wine bottle sitting before Natalie. “So, how did you convince Aunty Allisa to let you smuggle in liquor?”

In response, Natalie set one of her fingers against the cork and summoned a sharp nail of black blood. Letting her talon sink into the cork, Natalie used her claw like a wine screw. With a satisfying pop, the cork came free. Natalie held out the bottle to Alia and said. “Sniff, don’t drink.”

Frowning, the catfolk obliged. “Smells… like good wine, really good wine.”

Taking the bottle back, Natalie poured some into a glass and enjoyed watching everyone’s surprise. Fresh blood splattered into the goblet, its color and consistency unmistakable even if the smell was wrong.

Sipping the glass, Natalie smiled. “A gift from a friend, and not something they would have on stock here.”

Alia muttered. “Creepy… Well, I guess that means we can start drinking properly now!”

Cups and glasses were filled with various beverages, none as ‘exotic’ as Natalie’s. Clay and crystal clinked together as Cole was toasted. “May your days be long and joyous!”

Cole met Natalie’s eyes as he sipped his cider. He’d accepted his days would be long; now he could hope they’d be joyous. Once he finished his glass, Cole set it down, and Alia swiped it.

Sniffing the dregs, she said. “You’re joking, right? It’s your birthday, and you are drinking juice? This stuff isn’t even a little fermented; it's for kids!”

Mina repossessed Cole’s glass and handed it back to him as she asked. “I take it you don’t drink, then?”

Shrugging, Cole refilled his drink as Natalie gently but firmly made Yara pick something to sample. Glancing at his cider, he said. “Never much time for it or a desire. I’m usually traveling and need my wits. Besides, I don’t like how it tastes or feels?”

Narrowing her eyes, Alia shook her head in mock disapproval. “You are telling me the legendary demon-slaying, vampire-fucking, city-saving Paladin can’t handle his liquor?”

A droplet of alchemically treated blood flew across the table and hit Alia in the forehead. Licking her finger, Natalie sweetly said. “The next one goes into your eye.”

A rude gesture was Alia’s response as she dabbed at the blood. Some chuckles went around the table, and Morri mused. “I’d think it has less to do with being unable to handle drink and more with how much it would take to get Cole drunk. He’s a large fellow with an unusual physique; I wouldn’t be surprised if he could easily drink you under the table thrice over.”

Squinting at the old priest, Alia asked. “What about you, do your duties prevent you from enjoying booze?”

In response, Morri grabbed a mug of beer and downed it in a single impressive draught. Slamming the stein down with more force than necessary, Morri belched and said, “I spent much of my youth fighting alongside soldiers.”

Pointing at his empty mug, he added. “Doing that was the quickest way to earn their respect.”

Mina and Cole both looked at their mentor with undisguised shock while Alia cackled. Meanwhile, Rellim poked the various bottles seeming undecided on what to drink. Yara, of all people, offered a suggestion. “Master Magi, the meadowsweet mead is quite good tasting.”

Rellim picked up the bottle, sniffed its content, nodded to Yara in agreement, and poured himself some. More than a little uncertain but buoyed by her little victory, Yara added. “I could draw the tomb for you.”

Everyone stopped to look at the thrall, and she quailed under the attention. “I’m sorry! I just… I…I just.”

Mina and Alia shared a look; they knew little about Yara’s origin. That she was somehow connected to Natalie’s past was somewhat surprising.

Natalie gently but firmly said. “You don’t need to apologize; if you can do it, then go ahead.”

Rellim eagerly handed over a sheet of paper and an ink stylus. Clearing her spot at the table, Yara started drawing with feverish intensity. Trying not to think about her thrall and everything she entailed, Natalie asked Alia. “So why aren’t you with the other guards? I invited Iron-teeth, but he said the entire tower was busy keeping peace on the Equinox?”

Iron-teeth still held his position as guard captain, even after his ‘mercy kill’’ of Liam Louon. The city was unwilling to penalize him publicly, and it seemed virtually every institution in Vindabon was willing to ‘look the other way.’ So far, the worst punishment the Captain suffered was being denied the promotion and medal the Council had been discussing, which seemed to suit the hard-bitten dwarf just fine.

Cat-eyes finished her maybe third or fourth glass of the evening and said. “I’m a City-warden; I hunt criminals and investigate crimes. I don’t herd crowds and keep the peace. Sure, I’ll probably be busier than a Centaur farrier in a few days, but for now, I get to drink and enjoy myself.”

Morri nearly snorted out his drink and started coughing. Recovering, he muttered. “A centaur farrier… I’ll have to remember that one.”

Cole gently clapped the old priest on the back, clearing out the inhaled beer. “Well, I’m glad you could make it, Alia. Even if it's just for an excuse to get drunk.”

Cat-eyes made a noise like poorly maintained bellows and waived Cole off. “Oh, I’m not that vapid. I’m also here to spend time with my incredible girlfriend.”

Mina blushed at that, and Cole realized Alia was intoxicated. Finishing yet another glass, Alia leaned on the table and asked. “Humor aside, now that I’ve come to your birthday, that means I’m a good friend of yours, right Cole?”

Frowning, sensing a trap but not knowing its nature, Cole said. “You are, we’ve fought beside each other, and I enjoy your company well enough.”

Smiling, Alia gestured at him and Natalie with her empty glass. “So what is it like? Y’know, to tumble with a vamp-AHH!”

Alia rubbed at her face and cursed. Natalie refilled her glass of sanguina and swirled the blood wine with her finger. Still cursing, Alia shut both her eyes tight. “Well, you got me in the eye; now, what will you do when I ask Cole abo-GUG!”

Natalie had flicked another drop of her drink straight into Alia’s mouth. Clutching at her throat, eyes now wide, the city-warden muttered. “Jag me; it does taste like wine.”

Laughter erupted around the table, even Morri joining in. As the chuckles subsided, Yara handed the paper to Natalie and asked. “Does it look right?”

Glancing at the paper, Natalie was taken aback; Yara had sketched the long-buried tomb of Annoch with shocking skill. The sketch depicted the chamber from the perspective of someone standing in the breach the ghoul miners made. Showing the cracked sarcophagus and the circular room surrounding it. On the margins of the paper, Yara put simplified versions of some of the tomb’s murals. Many of which Natalie couldn’t even recall, let alone draw.

“This… this is incredible,” Natalie muttered, handing the paper to Cole, who looked it over with similar surprise. Rellim received the drawing last, and his face split in a wild grin.

Standing up so fast he knocked his chair over, Rellim went over towards Yara. “Can you do more like this? With more detail of the murals?”

Yara nodded, and the Magi’s smile grew so large Natalie feared it would rip his cheeks. “You must come by the tower when you can! This is probably one of the best depictions of a Third Epoch tomb I’ve ever seen!”

Folding the paper like it was a hefty letter of credit, Rellim excused himself. “Happy birthday, Cole. I’m sorry, but I must return to my study and compare this to the Naqsh rubbings!”

Rellim was halfway to the door before he paused and returned, hands rifling through his pockets. Eventually, he found what he sought and sat it next to Cole. It was a rune-marked piece of quartz. About the size of Cole’s thumb, rectangular in shape with very sharp corners. The runes were different from the usual dwarven work and covered the runestone in a pattern of red marks where the tan outer quartz was scrapped away to reveal the ruby-red crystal innards.

Gesturing at the runestone, Rellim said. “Your present, it’s a recreation of an ancient warrior charm from the early Third Epoch. I saw the fire rune you carry and figured you might find this useful.”

Then without further explanation, Rellim turned and left, the pull of his studies surpassing any social obligations. Befuddled but not ungrateful, Cole held up the stone and then, after a second’s consideration, pricked his thumb on one of its corners. A droplet of red flowed onto the stone, and Cole brought the stone closer to his face to examine its marks. Cole’s glass shot over his shoulder and crashed against the wall. Quickly dropping the runestone, Cole looked at the shattered cup and then at an annoyed barmaid, who grabbed a broom and dustbin.

Carefully, Morri picked up the stone, his eyes leaking faint silver phosphorescence. “It’s an intricate bit of telekinesis. The enchantment will let you influence a single object at a time. I suggest you practice with it when you get the time.”

Dropping the enchanted quartz onto the table, Morri reached into his own robes and pulled out a set of prayer beads. They were shiny black pearls and clattered softly in Morri’s hand. Handing them to Cole, Morri smiled. “My gift to you. May they serve you in serving our God.”

Cole let the beads dance between his fingers and said. “Thank you, they are beautiful and… powerful.”

Morri nodded and closed Cole’s hand over the beads. “These are Delian beads made from sacred pearls. They are collectors of purity and a tool worthy of a Paladin. Now I must take my leave as well. It’s been a busy week, and I’m not as young as I once was.”

After saying his goodbyes, the old hierophant left the remaining revelers. Getting up, Natalie went over to the trunk and started pulling it toward the table. “Since we are doing presents early, I figure I should bring this over.”

Cole looked at the covered trunk; a sheet of good black fabric hid the trunk from view, and he couldn’t figure out what it could possibly be. Pinching the fabric, Natalie showed it to Cole. “It’s a special silk from the East; it doesn’t stain and cleans easily. I figured it would make a good replacement fabric for your cloak.”

Feeling the material, Cole was impressed and forced himself not to worry about the cost. Natalie had started investing some of her inheritance and was already making some coin. It had been Pryia’s idea, the Moroi gleefully sharing her tricks to being an ‘ethical’ vampire with Natalie. Which apparently included smart financial advice on how to grow money over centuries of unlife.

Natalie started to pull off the silk covering and said. “But that’s just the wrapping for the real present!”

Underneath was the pine chest Emma had provided, now decorated by Natalie’s hand. The lid was marked with a large stylized hourglass painted dark blue. The neck and sides of the hourglass were also carved so they could be mistaken for a large X, signifying the archaic number ten. On either side of the hourglass were carved halberds, one cloaked in fire, the other frost.

Each side of the trunk also had a decoration. Cole crouched down to look at each, utter shock and amazement upon his face. He saw a depiction of himself atop castle battlements facing the Varcolac. Another painting of Natalie and him standing before the burning ruins of Lungu, holding hands. Next, a crowd of people and wolves cringing away from a shaft of sunlight held aloft before them. Then the frozen model city at the ball, with the couple dancing beneath it. Carved and painted onto the trunk was a chronicle of his and Natalie’s story. It left Cole stunned and speechless, unable to believe his eyes.

After too long of a moment, Natalie started to shift uncomfortably, wondering if she’d done some wrong. A fierce embrace crushed that worry; Cole’s arms wrapped around Natalie and picked her up in a bear hug so tight it forced a squeak from her lungs. Setting her down, Cole was smiling. “It's beautiful, it's incredible, thank you.”

Alia and Yara examined the chest while Mina just sipped some wine and watched. Looking at her girlfriend, Cat-eyes asked. “So this is why you’ve been staying at my place the past few nights?”

Nodding, Mina hid behind her glass, and Alia laughed. Clapping both Natalie and Cole on the shoulder, the city-warden said. “Well, it's incredible, and if you ever need to use Mina’s room for secret projects, don’t hesitate.”

Natalie wondered if that was ‘Alia-speak’ for inviting Mina to spend the night whenever she wanted. Refocusing on her lover and his present, Natalie tapped the lid of the trunk. “While the art is mine, I can’t claim the contents.”

Eyebrows raising in surprise, Cole opened the chest; he’d clearly thought the present was just the traveling trunk. Reaching down, he examined the armor. Looking at Natalie, he asked. “How…?”

Flashing an evil fanged grin, Natalie said. “I conspired with Emma. I got her to add a few weeks onto her estimations.”

Uncertain if he should be annoyed or impressed, Cole settled on being surprised. “Thank you for the… early delivery and the trunk; it really is beautiful.”

Natalie’s lips found Cole’s then, and they shared a long kiss only ended by an awkward cough from Mina. A little embarrassed, the couple separated, and Alia added her contribution to the growing pile of gifts. She set a polished hunting knife on the table, it was a little longer than Cole’s hand, and its grip was wrapped in good leather cord. The blade was slightly odd, with several notches and grooves for different uses like cutting branches or skinning game.

Grabbing the butt of the knife, Alia unscrewed it to show the handle was hollow, perfect for hiding something small. “I won this from a Werewolf about three moon-moots ago. It was always too big for me, but I figured you’d make good use of it.”

Cole picked it up and tested the balance; nodding in approval, he set it down and asked. “Were you disappointed you couldn’t attend this year because of the murders?”

Alia shifted uncomfortably, and her eyes flicked to Mina before saying. “I… I would probably run into one or two exes if I attended. I’m gonna wait maybe another year or two before risking that.”

Deciding she didn’t want to continue this topic, Mina said. “I don’t have a present for you, Cole. Expect for letting Natalie use my room and helping Morri infuse the beads.”

Shaking his head, Cole said. “It’s not a problem. I’m… I’m just glad people could come. This is a new experience for me, and I have to say it’s been fun.”

Beaming in success, Natalie leaned against Cole making a noise halfway between a sigh and a purr as she did. “It’s been my pleasure to plan and enjoy this party.”

Rubbing a spot on her back, he knew she liked, Cole said. “I’m just sorry; I won’t be able to measure up to this standard for your birthday.”

Natalie laughed and asked. “When is my birthday?”

Cole licked his lips and answered, “In about two days, on the 2nd of Firstbloom.”

Patting his cheek, Natalie said. “By remembering that, you are doing better than about half the people I’ve courted.”

A few chuckles were exchanged, and Natalie added. “But seriously, don’t worry about it. I know this isn't something you are used to, so I’m perfectly fine with maybe some flowers and a-”

Natalie stopped talking, and when Cole started to ask what was wrong, she held up a hand for silence. Slowly she walked towards the nearest window, which was slightly open, letting cool spring air into the inn. Focusing blood into her ears, Natalie sharpened her hearing to bat levels. Shocked by what she was hearing, Natalie ran to the inn's main door and escaped into the street. Cole followed, the others lagging behind, uncertain of what to do.

Night had fallen hard, with thick clouds obscuring moon and stars. Leaving the street soaked in shadows barely contested by street lights and windows. Natalie stared up at the sky, ignoring the strange looks the few pedestrians gave her.

Cole set a hand on her shoulder, his other going to his belt, and asked. “What is it?”

Pointing up, Natalie whispered. “Screams.”

Cole heard it then, a faint note barely detectable over the nocturnal murmur of the city. A piercing shriek came from above. Reaching to his belt, Cole unsheathed Requiem and asked. “Is it human?”

Natalie frowned and then nodded. “I think so, and… and there's a lot of it.”

The screams were loud enough now that other people were noticing it. Clumps of citizens were stopping on the street to look up in confusion. Natalie shut her eyes and focused. “They are getting closer; it's like… OH JAG”

Whirling her head to the right, Natalie pointed just as one of the screamers came into view. Someone was falling from the sky, plummeting in a twirl of flailing limbs and panicked screams. The screamer was briefly silhouetted against the dim evening lights of the city before they struck the ground. Cole watched in mounting horror as a person splattered against the cobblestones maybe thirty meters down the street.

As gore fountained up from the impact and soaked nearby pedestrians, Cole was reminded of his nightmares. His moment of dark recollection was interrupted by the second impact and then a third. Two more people struck, one into a nearby roof and the other twenty meters down the road in the opposite direction of the original impact.

Something terrible was happening, and Cole needed to act. Yanking his amulet from his neck and holding it up, pouring silver light into it, he roared. “GET OFF THE STREETS! GET INSIDE THE INN!”

His divine light and commanding tone pierced through the stunned shock of the pedestrians, and they thankfully started to comply. Alia and Mina moved into action, helping shepherd people into the Final Flagon. As they did, another person splattered nearby, their silenced screams mimicked by those now covered in blood.

Cole moved towards the closest body, but Natalie grabbed his wrist and stopped him. Sniffing the air, she pointed at the ruined corpse. “They don’t smell right, it… it's familiar, but I can’t place the smell.”

Nodding, Cole approached the corpse, prepared for whatever new horror was to come. He didn’t need to wait long; the pool of innards and broken bones that once was a person started to move. A crooked arm started to scrabble against the cobblestones, pulling a detonated torso with it. With a drop of spilled blood, Cole lengthened Requiem to its halberd form and swung it at the mangled corpse. He split what was left of the skull, and the ghoul stopped moving. But it was only a drop in the bucket; more bodies were raining across Vindabon. Every silenced scream was now mimicked by Equinox revelers witnessing the death and undeath.

Crouching down, Cole peered into the Aether and tried to determine what was happening. Forcing himself not to look at the swirling city-wide currents of joy and happiness now curdling into shock and horror, Cole examined the dead ghoul. A soul was trapped inside the ragged flesh, seething with metaphysical infection. Pain and sorrow clung to the ghoul in a festering miasma Cole was bitterly familiar with; these were Grinning Ghouls.

But that wasn’t the worst of it; another infection clung to the corpse. Clumps of oily black pus streamed off the ghoul, leaking from it in streams of corruption that shifted as Cole examined them. One moment they were impossible black rivulets floating in the Aether; the next, they were teeming swarms of rats and other vermin clambering over each other. Both forms, rivulet, and swarm, bled out of angry red sores covering the ghoul's trapped soul.

Quickly, Cole reached for his amulet and freed the soul. Silver light poured over the ghoul, guiding its spirit into the Beyond, leaving the infested body and spiritual hollow behind. Without anchor or sustenance, the infection started to wither away into greasy soul-stuff.

Cold dread filled Cole’s veins as he looked back at the Final Flagon and the crowd of people he’d filled it with. People who’d been exposed to the plummeting bodies, tainted by showers of filth. Glancing down the street at the other puddles of ghoulish gore, Cole understood what was happening. He’d heard of Orcish hordes catapulting infected bodies into besieged cities; now, someone had taken that idea and made it worse. Vindabon was being bombarded with plague victims.

More bodies fell to Vardis, a rain of screaming, flailing people moving away from them and to other parts of the city. With mounting horror, Cole understood the situation. Every body reduced to a wet splatter would be an infection vector, and every intact body would become a hungry Grinner. The sheer volume of ghouls and the variety of their ‘landings’ ensured some would enter Vindabon capable of attacking people. Unless something was done quickly, the city would be swarming with Grinners.

Turning to Natalie, Cole failed to keep the tension from his voice. “I need you to go to the Temple and tell them the city is under attack. Something is dropping plague ghouls across Vindabon.”

Eyes wide with terrible shock, Natalie kissed Cole goodbye and sped away. She knew how bad this could become and would deliver his message fast as unliving speed allowed. Leaving Cole alone, standing in front of the Final Flagon, dreading what was to come.

Entering the inn, Cole found Mina and Alia trying to keep some semblance of calm among the scared people crammed into the Flagon. Mina saw Cole and went over to him, a hundred questions fighting to see which would be asked first. Before she could, Cole pulled her into the doorway and whispered into her ear. “Do you have any magic to treat the Plague?”

Confusion and worry quickly became horrified understanding as Mina looked back at the sequestered people. Maybe fifty people were inside the inn, and easily a quarter of them were stained with infected blood. Voice filled with dread, Mina said. “Oh, fixed stars!… I… I can try. Wait, where’s Natalie?”

Cole nodded in the direction of the Temple. “Warning the city and getting help.”

The tiniest bit of hope showed on Mina’s face, and she turned back to start handling the mess. Pointing at Aunty Allisa and her staff, Mina said. “I need you to get every drop of your purest alcohol and every spare, clean sheet you have.”

The bar workers hesitated, and Mina barked. “NOW!” Doing her best impression of Morri and getting people moving.

Turning to the crowd of possibly infected people, she continued her triage. “I need everyone with stained clothes to go upstairs and strip. Do not touch the soiled material, and do not touch your face. That goes for everyone else; corpses carry diseases, and we need to be smart about this.”

Cole nodded in approval; she was handling the situation well. Finding Alia, Cole whispered to her. “I need you to make sure no one leaves the inn. Can you do that for me?”

Frowning but used to Cole’s strange requests, Alia nodded and returned to shepherding people. “All right, you heard the Priestess! Let's get dirty clothes off and stay indoors. We’ve got a fucking Paladin with us, so none of the ghouls are getting in here.”

Eyes fell on Cole then, and he could almost physically feel the weight of their expectations. A large part of the Paladin quailed under the beseeching looks, but dutiful resolve quashed any doubt. People relied on him; there was no room for hesitation or weakness. He was a Paladin, more than just a sword against the dark; he was also a shield.

Accepting the responsibility put upon him, Cole started to speak, “I’ve sent word to the Temple and-”

‘KRACK-BOOOOOOOOM!!!!’

Every window in the inn rattled in its pane as a huge explosion erupted over the city. Whirling about, Cole ran to the inn door and opened it. Stepping out into the night, he shouted. “Stay inside; follow the City-Warden and Priestess’s directions!”

Looking up at the night sky, Cole flinched as lightning covered the city. Bolts of white energy filled the sky in a cracked-glass net. The entire city shook with thunder, and Cole caught glimpses of things caught in the storm. Faint silhouettes lashed by lightning, burned to cinders by heavenly wrath. Along the street, the splattered ghouls started to smoke and seethe as silver flames consumed them. The barest hint of a smile crossed Cole’s face; the wards of Vindabon were roused.