IronGuard

CHAPTER 9

"Icehold's soldiers were our last hope for reinforcements" One of Perion's remaining generals says as he drinks his morning ale. "Damn traitors"

The city seemed to be more alive this morning than yesterday when Marcus and the group returned. Soldiers patrolling all over the city and the walls and the city carpenters already working hard on repairing the destroyed gate, Though most of the people have already fled, the manpower remaining in the city is not nearly enough to withstand another attack but there is some good news for. Before dawn, the remaining IronGuard Knights in the land arrived and also a thousand soldiers came along with them. A thousand IronGuard Knights and four thousand soldiers are all that stand between the demons and certain destruction of the people. 

"Is Marcus awake yet?" Finn asks Dello as he splits in half the hard bread. A piece of bread and soup for their breakfast and hardly any good water to drink. 

"No, i went to his room and all quiet inside" Dello replies and drinks his soup to the last drop and gets up. 

"Where are you going?" Finn asks. Dello usually takes his time when eating. 

"I've got wall duties this morning. I think you as well" Dello realizes that Finn hasn't read the duty assignments given Captain Gildas. "Go to the main hall, the duties are posted there and make sure you know your job or else Captain Gildas will get mad at you again. Remember the time you forgot to clean his..."

"I know! I know! stop reminding me of it. I'll just finish up" Finn swallows the entire bread and looks at his cup and it is empty. He looks at Dello and sees him smirking at him. 

after eating Finn goes to the main hall and he sees Marcus standing by the council chairs. Staring at them and Finn sees a note in his hand. Finn slowly approaches him but his footsteps gives him away and Marcus turns to him. 

"What's wrong Marcus?" Finn asks as he looks at Marcus' red eyes and his sad expression. Marcus drops the note and disappears. "Marcus!?" Marcus reappears in front of him and this cold and fierce presence from Marcus covered him. 

"I'm leaving. Do not tell anyone" Marcus whispers but his voice changed. "I'm sorry Finn" Marcus strikes Finn hard and knocks him down leaving him unconscious

"Why not kill?" A voice from the shadows says. 

"He is my friend" Marcus replies. "We are leaving Mordin"

"As you say Lord Marcus" Mordin comes out of the shadows and looks at Finn. "I wonder what your friend will say when he finds out that you are with a demon"

"You'll find out soon enough and don't call me Lord" Marcus replies and goes out the main door and Mordin follows him but changing his form before stepping out.

The courtyard is filled with soldiers and IronGuard but not a single one of them notices Mordin, a demon hiding in their midst. They reach the stables and takes two horses. 

"Can all demons change form like what you did?" Marcus asks as he prepares his saddle.

"No. Only those blessed by the high lord can perform ancient magic" Mordin shows his hand, all pale and rough skinned. Marcus looks at it then looks at his own hand. "See Lord Marcus, everything is as I said"

They are ready to go when Rithia appears by the stable entrance with a knife in hand. She's not wearing armor and instead the healer's robes. She looks at Marcus then Mordin and she's about to call for help when Marcus calls her attention. 

"Why are you here Rithia?" Marcus asks as he slowly approaches her and she raises the knife. 

"You're asking me? but why is that here?" Rithia replies, her voice is like she's holding her anger. "And where are you going? You're going to leave with him?"