Chapter 504: A True Red
30 minutes before the arrival of the Frost Mist…
A loud crashing noise resounded through the old temple’s walls. The orphans trembled at the shrieking sound of stone grating on metal. They sat on the floor of the main hall and whimpered quietly. Some hugged each other for solace, while others knelt in front of the statues of the Ebon gods and prayed for salvation.
Witt went around and gave what little consolement he could, sharing forced but bright smiles, and giving hugs to the children that needed it the most while swearing everything was going to be alright.
Karen’s little sister, Sophi sat next to their mother, her little fingers grasping Shirleen’s bandaged hand tightly. Shirleen lay on a cot, the wounds from trebuchet bombardment and the collapse of their house evident across her bandaged body. She could barely keep her eyes open, but her gaze was fixed on her eldest daughter, standing under the doorway.
Karen held her bow, arrow notched. The door was wide open, giving her a clear view of the worn pathway through the small courtyard that led straight to the temple’s gate. A year ago, the gate had simply been a few rusty metal bars that had seen a better century. It was replaced with a large set of steel doors, enchanted with protective sigils by Brown magesmiths on the directive of their client, Stryg.
The gate and the enchanted walls surrounding the temple were meant to stop any more thieves and lowlifes that prowled the Commoner streets at night. It wasn’t meant to stop whatever was banging on the door now.
The screeching noise was almost deafening.
Elm walked over to Karen, leaning on his ceremonial staff. “Who are they? What’s out there…?” he asked, with a rare trace of fear in his voice.
Karen glanced at the staff in the head priest’s hand. It was more of a lightweight rod than anything. Perfect for teaching dogma and carrying out religious practices, but it could hardly be called a weapon. “Whoever or whatever it is, you should stay behind me.”