We had just packed up our bows and removed our bandages, replacing them with medicinal poultices from Boian's saddlebags, when we heard the clop of hooves coming in our direction. My scalp definitely preferred our medicines to the local dressings, but I understood his concern. The evening twilight quickly showed a half-dozen men on horseback coming over a rise toward us.

Boian...Lord Boian again, waved at them, and they drew up near us as they recognized him. He'd bled through Ellie's bandages and would do the same with the replacements, but at least it was leaking rather than flowing.

"Lord Boian. You're injured."

"Tell me of the town."

"Torched. Perhaps the storms helped more than they hurt. It's the third such attack since you left."

Boian sucked in his breath. "Survivors?"

"Some. Who are your companions?"

"Lord Kevin and Maid Elexus of the Realm. And Maid Oana, companion of Maid Elexus." He turned Oana so his knife could be seen, and the men's eyes widened in confused comprehension. "We need horses."

"Of course, Milord. Take what you need."

Ellie limped to a man her height and thrust her yucca staff at him, pulling the reins away. "This one is suitable for me. Brother Kevin, if you will assist me in mounting."

I lifted her so she could get a leg over, then lifted Oana to ride with her before taking the horse offered to me. His men helped Lord Boian to his saddle, and we rode to the village.

Once there, we saw bodies laid out side by side. The walls of the buildings were rough limestone, but with charred wood roofs that were mostly gone, as were most of what was inside. Only a few Sobecks lay dead compared with over two dozen men, women, and children. They just lay there all bloody, not even covered. I felt my stomach churn as we continued past. There weren't that many buildings here...how many survivors could there be?

I heard moans coming from the one building that had an intact roof. Lord Boian leaned to me in his saddle. "Keep your sister on her horse. I shouldn't be long," then handed me his yucca staff. He leaned forward onto the saddle's pommel and swung his good leg over, landing on it. I handed the staff back, which he took before placing his left foot on the ground, then hobbled to the soldier standing at the door.

"Should we—"

"He said to stay on the horses, so let's do that," I said softly.

"That could be us...back there, all dead," she whispered, hugging Oana tightly. I could hear the tears in her voice. I hoped she could hold it in until we were alone.

He conferred with the man, who darted down the street as Lord Boian entered the building. A couple of minutes later, the man returned with a more finely dressed man who entered after bowing to us.

A couple of other people were carried in before Lord Boian emerged, new dark spots showing on his tunic, the other man following behind.

Ellie stared at him as he hobbled close.

"Maid Elexus," he said in a hushed voice. "There were some who could not survive but would be in pain until their demise. I am their Lord, and as such, gave them what little mercy I could. Lord Kevin, if you would be so kind as to steady me as I mount, and Master Korham, if you can provide me a stepstool...now."

The other man goggled, then went to hands and knees as I dismounted and grabbed under his shoulder. He stepped between Master Korham's shoulder blades before grasping the saddle and swinging himself around, landing with a gasp. "Thank you, Master Korham," and he turned his horse away before the man even stood. I took the staff with me when I mounted and rode around this too-finely-dressed man as he bowed deeply to us.

"I'm sure he cowered in some corner somewhere rather than fight like the others, but I have none to confirm that," Lord Boian said as we rode to where the men we'd met earlier waited. "His serving as my stepstool tells him that I know this."

I glanced at Ellie, who shook her head very slightly while Oana nodded in agreement. "I hope someone will say something," she said, but he shook his head.

"Master Korham is useful in other ways, so I'd prefer that it doesn't happen, little one, but he is on notice."

Politics, I thought. Nothing is simple.

"Are you able to continue riding, Maid Elexus? Lord Kevin?"

We both gave nods.

"Then we ride for Floresca Hall."