“To call oneself Magi you must be capable of three things. First is being able to sense the Aether around you, second is the power to call fire, and third is the ability to move objects with your mind. Those are the three barest of bones that our spellcraft is built upon, and their use connects to the bedrock skills used by an Magi. You must be able to feel the magic around you, manipulate it with your very thoughts and provide the energy needed to fuel a working.” - from the book ‘Arcane Understanding’ by Magus Artoi Ambertongue.

  During their travels, Natalie had practiced night and day to keep her False Life active. Pumping her own heart minute after minute, hour after hour, until it became second nature. As the bustle of Vindabon surrounded her, Natalie was proud of her commitment. Surrounded by a million new experiences, it was painfully easy to lose focus. Yet her unliving heart kept beating as she was jostled about by bustling crowds. Stunned by the sight of Griffin Knights flying overhead and surprised by all the different varieties of people.

  As Cole gently pulled her through busy promenades and down lesser-used streets. Natalie tried to commit to memory every strange and interesting thing she saw. A trio of Dwarfs wearing intricate metal masks arguing with a woman in a flowing dress so long its hem was held up by a strange creature made of clay. Two tall men with skin as black as coal wrapped in striped white furs debated which direction they should go. By a tavern, a burly-looking Orc had set up a table and was challenging anyone who’d listen to arm-wrestle. While a gaggle of Clockmonks haggled over the price of copper with an unenthusiastic merchant.

  They’d been walking for nearly an hour, Natalie trusting Cole’s experience and letting herself just soak in the sights. When they came upon a market square with a fountain at the center. The fountain was shaped like a huge throne with a marble king seated upon it. Water dribbled from his crown, the top of his scepter, and the tips of his outstretched fingers. On the rim of the fountain sat a man with a fiddle. Gently playing a soft tune as the water bubbled behind him and the crowd of shoppers murmured. Natalie watched the musician playing his gentle crooning melody and wondered at it.

  She’d never seen music performed outdoors. Even during festivals, the few instruments in Glockmire were kept inside. Their players fearing the Vampire’s attention. Worried their talent would catch the attention of a Noble or fixed-stars forbid, annoy one of them. Somehow that sight of the sandy-haired Busker and his fiddle made it real for Natalie. Proving to her mind, she’d really left Glockmire and the Blood Duchies behind. That realization made her want to both laugh and cry.

  A passerby flipped the Busker a coin, and the young musician nodded thankfully, then played a long sharp note on his violin. Heads all across the square swiveled to the performer, and once he had their attention, the Busker started to play again. Faster and louder this time. No slow crooning but an incredible song that captivated the entire square. The song lasted perhaps a minute, and the Busker ended it with a note as loud as the first.

  Scattered applause spread through the crowd, and a coin piece of two. Frowning, the Fiddler tossed his instrument into the air. The crowd gasped, Natalie included, as the expensive instrument tumbled through the air. Then right as it came eye-level with the Fiddler, it stopped, bow and all. Hanging there in the air, gently spinning like Kisitne’s bangle had days ago. With bated breath, Natalie watched as the floating violin started to play. Continuing its earlier song but at a slower tempo. Looking at the Busker, Natalie saw his eyes were unfocused, and his hands were twitching in time with the music. As the second stanza of the song ended, a louder cheer went up from the crowd. Clearly impressed with the flying fiddle. But the Busker held up a hand to quiet them.

  Reaching down with one hand, the Busker grabbed a case from near his feet and opened it. Pulling out a second fiddle. The square went silent except for the sound of the first fiddle still playing. Gently the Busker held up the second fiddle. Letting it and its bow roll from his hands. The crowd gasped as the second fiddle plummeted to the ground, stopping a handspan from the cobblestones. Shutting his eyes, the Busker smiled, and the two fiddles started to play a duet. Both orbiting him like planets around a Sun. The fiddles played faster and faster as they whirled through the air.

  Natalie pulled her eyes from the spinning fiddles to the musician. His eyes shut, his hands dancing in the air like a weaver at work on a tapestry. The duet continued, the twin instruments playing off each other in a hypnotic melody. A wide smile split the Busker’s face as the song reached its climax. The two fiddle cases at his feet opened up, and the instruments dropped into them with a final note. As the cases snapped shut, the Busker grabbed both bows out of the air and bowed deeply. A massive cheer erupted from the crowd, and soon the wooden bowl before the Busker was overflowing with coins.

  Awe-struck, Natalie fished out a silver piece and slipped forward to deposit the coin. The musician saw her and winked. Snorting in amusement, she returned to Cole and linked her arm with his. Moving over to the far side of the market square, Natalie asked. “Wasn’t that amazing?”

  Cole nodded. “A little disingenuous but still impressive.”

  Looking up at her towering suitor Natalie asked. “Disingenuous? Was he not actually playing or something?”

  Shaking his head no, Cole explained. “He was playing. That was what was impressive. Even if Telekinesis is a simple magical art, that level of control combined with musical skill is rare. What he lied about was his origin. Did you see his clothes?”

  Natalie flicked her eyes back to the Busker, still collecting his earnings and thanking the crowd. He wore a shabby coat and trousers that might have once been respectable. Confused, Natalie asked. “What about his clothes?”

  Cole chuckled. “They are shabby, but not too shabby. While he is immaculately groomed with two expensive instruments in magically locking cases. On top of that, his undershirt is silk. He’s probably someone of Pedigree or Position pretending to be a humble Busker.”

  Blinking in surprise, Natalie asked. “How did you notice that?”

  Cole’s smile faltered. “Mild paranoia. A threat first presents itself through abnormalities. I looked for discrepancies and found them.”

  Sighing, Natalie got onto her toes, pulled down her scarf, and kissed Cole’s cheek. “I wish you could relax. But, still, I appreciate your watchfulness.”

  Putting his arm to the small of Natalie’s back Cole found his smile returning. “You are getting good at maintaining your False-Life.”

  Chuckling, Natalie leaned against him. “You just say that because you like warm kisses.”

  Cole shrugged in acknowledgment. “I won’t deny it. I-”

  He was cut off by Natalie suddenly stopping. Worried, he looked to the Vampire and saw her eyes were wide and staring at a nearby food stall. Where a chubby Dwarven matron was selling an odd pastry. The smell then hit Cole. Of warm crust and hearty fillings. Vegetables, venison, and various spices baked into a marvelous creation. Natalie let out a pained whimper as she sniffed the air. “What is THAT?” she asked.

  Licking his lips, Cole answered. “An Oggy. Dwarven mine pies.”

  Humming in delight, Natalie spoke. “Oh, they smell delicious. We’ve got to get-” stopping mid-sentence, she deflated like a burst waterskin. Hanging her head, Natalie continued. “I keep forgetting I can’t eat anymore.”

  Putting a sympathetic hand on her shoulder, Cole tried to steer the young Vampire away from the delicacy. Natalie had learned the hard way that undeath and food don’t mix. More than once, she’d found herself idly snacking on a piece of bread or jerky during their trip. Only realizing her mistake much later. Anything she ate wasn’t digested, simply rotting inside her stomach like so much garbage. Leaving the poor Vampire with the world’s worst bad breath until she ‘expelled’ what she’d eaten. By the third time, Natalie had given Cole strict orders to stop her from eating anything, violently if need be.

  Resisting his attempts to steer her away, Natalie let out a pained moan. “It's not fair. I make it here and can’t even enjoy the food.” suddenly standing upright like she’d been hit by lightning, Natalie turned to Cole and said. “I wanna try something.”

  A confused Cole watched as Natalie went to the Dwarven Food Seller and bought an Oggy. Returning to Cole, she handed him the pie. “Here, enjoy”

  Skeptical, Cole looked at Natalie and bit into the Oggy. It was better than he expected. The meat and vegetables blended together, doused in some sort of gravy, while the crust was the perfect mixture of fluffy and crunchy. Taking a second bite, Cole hummed his enjoyment and saw Natalie watching him intently. A little confused (and worried), Cole swallowed and asked. “What in the Seraph’s Songs are you doing?”

  Shrugging, the Vampire said. “Flavoring you.”

  They just stared at each other for a moment before both burst into laughter. The midnight-dark comedy of Natalie’s words hit home. A deep gut-busting laugh roared from Cole as he struggled not to drop the Oggy. Natalie grabbed his arm and steadied it as her own chuckles continued. Finally, when they both recovered, Cole quietly mused. “I don’t think a single Oggy will change how my blood tastes”

  Natalie smiled beneath her scarf. “Who said I was talking about your blood?” then waggled her eyebrows suggestively. This time Cole really did drop the Oggy.

  Inhuman reflexes compensated for Cole’s shock, and Natalie grabbed the pie before it hit the ground. Returning it to Cole, she patted him on a crumb-stained cheek and, in a sing-songy voice, said. “~Eat up!~”

  Cole found his mind instantly going to Natalie's oh-so-soft lips and her very sharp fangs. Sending a mixture of arousal and fear through him. Shaking his head and tentatively taking another bite, he looked at the amused Natalie. He could see the broad smile in the crinkle of her eyes. Leaning against Cole, she kept watching him eat.

  “But in all seriousness, I’m trying to eat vi-vi…” snapping her fingers, she found the word she’d been looking for. “Vicariously through you. I hope you don’t mind.”

  Shrugging, Cole finished the Oggy, Natalie’s eyes never leaving his face and mouth. Finishing the meal, he looked around the market square. “Is there anything else you think we need, or should we be on our way?”

  Natalie mimicked his glances and saw a dozen fascinating sights. Pushing down temptation, Natalie shook her head in the negative. “There will be time for that later. Let's find this Inn. Where is it, by the way?”

  Cole looked up towards the nearest Temple tower. A dark-gray column inscribed with skulls, hourglasses, and runes of Rest. The Temple of Master Time in Vindabon. Pointing to the tower, he said. “It's near the Temple. I figured it would be convenient to have our base close by.”

  Accepting that, Natalie followed after Cole as he charted a course toward the Temple. With the market square behind them, Natalie looked up at the ominous belfry and swallowed nervously. She was more than a little worried about the Priests of Death and how they might react to her existence. Cole, like always, seemed confident things would work out. Natalie had a slight suspicion that attitude was either a sham for her sake or the coping mechanism of a suffering Immortal.

  After half an hour or so of walking, they reached the Temple Plaza. Unobstructed by its surroundings, the full form of the Temple came into view. A monolithic structure of basalt and silver, it sat in the center of a withered garden decorated with hundreds of statues. The main doors to the Temple were carved from some impossibly dark wood and inlaid with an ornate hourglass nearly two stories tall. Giant statues of hooded figures flanked the door. Each holding a Polearm in one hand and a lantern in the other. Glancing at Cole, Natalie wanted to shiver. The grim statues could be the Paladin’s siblings.

  While less populated than the Market square, the Temple Plaza still had knots of people moving about it. Some attending business with the Temple itself, others simply passing by. Looking up, Natalie saw the Belfry's shadow falling on the statue garden surrounding the Temple. The shadow lay on a statue of Hound sitting at attention. Glancing at Natalie and following her gaze, Cole remarked. “Oh, it's almost fifth bell.”

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  No sooner had he said it when dolorous thunder boomed out from the Belfry. Answered in turn by the nine other Bells across the city. As each Temple rang out a different note.

  ‘BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!’ The bells counted off the hour, Natalie covering her ears as the sound shook her teeth. Looking at Cole, she raised an eyebrow in questioning.

  Gesturing to the Belltower and the statues, he explained. “It's a sundial. You can tell the time by what statue the tower’s shadow falls upon.”

  Accepting that and giving the tower another glance, Natalie followed after the already departing Cole. She’d never heard something that loud before. Only the worst summer storms and their thunder rivaled the Bells of Vindabon. Judging by the nearby pedestrian’s reaction, this cacophony wasn’t anything unusual or special. Natalie suddenly became very thankful for her odd relationship with sleep. The idea of trying to fall asleep with all ten of those bells going off every hour seemed nightmarish.

  Leaving the Temple Plaza, they ducked down a sidestreet and found their destination. A painted wooden sign hung out over the road, attached to a building of brick and timber. The sign depicted a Skeleton drinking from an oversized tankard of Ale. With the words. ‘The Final Flagon’ embossed in bright white below it.

  Cole went to the Inn’s door and pushed it open, a small bell tinkling as he did. The pair entered, and Natalie felt like she’d stepped back in time. For a single treacherous second, she thought she was back at the Silly Goat. Not because of the Flagon’s interior. Its stone floors and tapestries could not be more different than the Goat. But the feeling of the place. The warm, inviting atmosphere felt oh so familiar. It felt like a kind hug and a gut punch at the same time. Another painful reminder of the home she’d lost.

  Refocusing, she looked to realize Cole was looking at her, a worried expression on his face. Gently he asked. “Should we just go to the Temple? I’m certain I can explain the situation to the Priests, and we can-”

  Shaking her head, Natalie cut him off. “No, I’ll be fine. I can’t let myself wallow.” Pushing down her emotions, she examined the Inn for a second time. Ignoring her initial feelings and trying to examine the place objectively. Tables and benches crowded up next to a fireplace. Four Vindabonians sat at one table engaged in a lively discussion. A large bar dominated one wall with a staggering collection of liquor on display behind it. In one corner was a staircase leading up to the Inn’s rooms. At the center of the dining space was a large slab of marble with wilted flowers near its base.

  Nodding towards the marble slab, Natalie raised an eyebrow quizzically. Cole shrugged. “Some Northerners have funeral feasts. With the body laid out as part of the celebration. Considering the place's location, they probably host lots of those feasts.”

  Half-glaring at Cole, Natalie sighed. “You take me to the most lovely places.”

  Sheepishly, he just shrugged and headed over to the Bar-counter. No one was there, but a small brass bell sat next to the counter's edge. Cole reached for it before he could even touch it, a loud voice called from somewhere in the Inn’s kitchen. “Be right out!”

  Moments later, a short middle-aged woman bustled out from behind the swinging door leading to the kitchen. Straddling the line between curvaceous and plump, she had long blond hair and an even-tempered smile. Looking over the pair of newcomers, the Barkeep paused mid-stride on seeing Cole’s appearance but quickly recovered. “Welcome to the Final Flagon. I’m Aunty Alissa. What can I get ya?”

  Trying to smile in a way not easily misconstrued as a threat, Cole asked. “Do you have any rooms available?”

  The Innkeeper nodded. “Aye, will that be one or two?”

  Before Cole could answer, Natalie butted in. “ONE!” Both Aunty Alissa and Cole looked at Natalie with surprise, and the young Vampire wilted slightly. Embarrassed at her abruptness. She’d been looking forward to getting Cole in a warm bed with some privacy for literal months now. Natalie wasn’t about to let his awkward sense of honor spoil this opportunity. Even if it meant a tiny bit of awkwardness.

  Amused, the Innkeeper remarked. “Well then, how long will you be staying? And is there anything I can get you two? Food? Drink?”

  “Just two nights for now. But that might change,” answered Cole. “As for anything else, do you have any news about the city? We’ve just arrived, and I’d like to know how things are.”

  Aunty Alissa’s smile faltered slightly. “Sure, but little of it is good unfortunately. The war with the Leeches is starting up again, and that's got the Nobles all in a fuss. They’re all distracted with the fight and not paying nuff attention to things round here. We’ve got a Werewolf problem, see? And the Guards have done bugger all to deal with it.”

  Cole and Natalie looked at each other before asking in unison, “A Werewolf problem?”

  The Innkeeper nodded. “We’ve had murders over the last month. Something been stalking the night, ripping out the hearts of people. It started right when the Werefolks started showing up. So people saying one of them lost it. Got everybody on edge, and the Guards have been busy stopping idiots from attacking any Werefolk instead of catching the right one.”

  Pulling out a pipe from a pocket, Aunty put it in her mouth and ignited it with a snap of her fingers. As smoke started to bloom from the pipe, she continued. “It’s probably a good thing this is happening while there is fighting. Every stupid youth with something to prove is off playing at Soldier. Not looking to stir up trouble with the Werefolks. Still, it's been tricky; most of the killings have been here in Weinstadt. My night crowd’s been shit. People not wanting to risk being out at night.”

  Pausing for a second, she blew a cloud of smoke out of her nose and remarked. “I probably should have told you that after I got your coins. Oh well.”

  Cole paid for their rooms and thanked the Innkeeper for her honesty. She gave them both a key and directions. “Third floor, right hallway, second door. No neighbors, so you two can be noisy. “

  Slightly confused by the Innkeeper’s words, Cole took his key and headed towards the staircase. Natalie, on the other hand, understood the Innkeepers words and was torn between thanking the worldly woman and looking for a small hole to hide in. She compromised by murmuring a word of appreciation while hiding her face in the folds of her scarf.

  As the pair retreated up the stairs, Aunty Alissia chuckled to herself. In the thirty years she’d spent tending bars and keeping the Inn, she’d seen nervous newlyweds, youthful trysts, scandalous affairs, and every other form of romance under the stars. It was part of life and, when done properly, one of the best.

  The couple found the room easily enough. Dim glowstones and curtained windows illuminated a large four-poster bed, a washroom, and a cabinet. Cole set his pack down by the cabinet and took off his cloak. Finding a hook on the wall to hang it. Suddenly he felt warm breath on the back of his neck and a soft body pressing to his back. Natalie’s arms snaked around him, clutching his chest as she nestled into him.

  Softly in a nervous voice, she whispered. “Hey, Cole…”

  His own voice thick with tension, he answered. “Yes?”

  Slowly slipping around Cole so she could look him in the eyes, but never breaking contact, she said. “I want you. Do you want me?”

  Nodding slowly, Cole rasped. “Yes.”

  His heart was pounding like a galloping horse, and every muscle in his body tight with nervous tension. Cole knew he wanted this with all his soul. Natalie’s soft fingers moved to his face, her lips soon following. They kissed gently at first before moving into something stronger and more intense. Sparks flew between them as Cole reached up and gripped Natalie’s hair, her own hands clutching to him with abandon. Eventually, Cole broke the kiss, the need to breathe overpowering even the sheer desire coursing through him.

  Kissing his neck, Natalie whispered. “Hold still.” then sunk her fangs into his throat. Cole gasped in surprise, not just at the sudden bite but at what Natalie’s wandering hands were doing. She’d found his length and gently stroked it through his pants. Licking her bite close, Natalie pushed Cole onto the nearby bed. The eternally watchful and careful Paladin flopped onto the mattress, utterly blindsided.

  A coy smile playing across her red lips, Natalie licked the last few drops of Cole’s blood from them. “A little something to get us both warmed up,” she whispered, giving him a wink. While Natalie was fairly confident in her ability to keep False-Life mid-coitus, she preferred to let a little snack mute her hunger and do the work for her.

  Carefully she removed her hairpin, using her raven locks as insulation against the silver. As the heirloom clattered to the floor and her hair billowed out. She smiled, running her hands over her body and watching Cole’s eyes follow them. Slowly she started to undo knots and let her dress fall away. The fabric catching on her stiff nipples before pooling to the ground around her feet. Cole’s eyes were impossibly wide, and he looked half-hypnotized by the sight.

  Exactly the effect Natalie had been hoping for. No stranger to sex or foreplay, Natalie had spent some idle time planning out exactly how’d she would do this. Cole could be so stiff and nervous, so she’d decided to take the lead on this. Thankfully Cole had proven more than receptive and was, well…stiff in all the right ways. Thinking to her earlier ministrations, she couldn’t help but notice he was rather…proportional in these matters. That didn’t worry her much; months of unfulfilled desire and a little bit of blood had Natalie heady with lust.

  Slipping her underwear off, Natalie walked towards the bed. Hips swaying with all the seductive charm she could muster. Slipping onto the large mattress and crawling towards Cole, she ran a finger along his chest, making him shiver. Gripping the fabric of his tunic, she spoke in a husky whisper. “I think you are a little overdressed, Love. Would you like me to help you with that?”

  Cole glanced down at his clothes and seemed to register they existed. A fierce internal war was going on inside Cole. Twelve years without sex or anything close to it left him starved for it. He wanted to pounce on Natalie and slack that hunger. To make love with all the passion, he could muster. He was also terrified of hurting her and, on some hidden level, of being hurt by her. His times in the Dungeons of the Voivode had been replete with all manner of torture and degradation. The Vampires were eager to sample the exotic “Homunculus Knight” in all manner of ways. Many of which left him with nightmares he’d wake up screaming from.

  But those painful memories were more than a decade old and would not break him. They could not break him. Natalie wasn’t a monster in the dark desiring a quick snack and a cruel fuck. She was his lover, his companion, someone he trusted. Slowly, Cole gripped his tunic and started to peel it off. Natalie helped, her gentle fingers tracing his exposed flesh.

  As she drank in his imposing physique, she cooed. “Gods, you really are built like a statue.”

  Cole blushed at that as he sat up and started to slip off his boots and pants. Natalie snuggled in next to him as he worked. Her hands traced his back and chest. Still tense, Natalie gently shoved the naked Cole back down onto the bed and took his hand. She guided one to her breast, his calloused palm encompassing the soft, warm flesh. By instinct, he squeezed, and Natalie let out a small moan. Before Cole could react or do something stupid like apologize, she set his other hand on her hip. Then came in for a kiss. They locked lips, Cole kneading her breast and enjoying the curve of her hip.

  As the kiss ended, Natalie said in a breathy whisper. “I like touching you, Cole. I like touching you a lot. I know you like touching me. So touch me more.”

  Then with a wide smile, she added. “I can smell your arousal. I can also feel it.” she wiggled her hips, Cole gasping as his member slid against warm slick flesh. Sinking down, her lips at his clavicle, she whispered. “I know you can be more… assertive, and I bet you want to be. Go ahead, I don’t mind; in fact, I’ll enjoy it.”

  That did it. That broke the dam. In an explosion of movement, Cole flipped Natalie onto her back and pounced on top of her. A mix of a laugh and a squeal escaped Natalie as she landed in the soft blankets. Strong hands gripped her hips, and Cole’s mouth nipped at her neck, making her shudder. His lips traveled lower, finding one of her nipples and sending a note of pleasure through her. He continued his downward exploration reaching her stomach and eventually her inner thigh. Natalie’s eyes widened as she realized what he was about to do. A throaty gasp escaped her lips as Cole started to lick.

  Shaky fingers found the back of Cole’s head as Natalie writhed in enjoyment. Delirious with pleasure, Natalie tried to understand if unwilling abstinence was to blame or if Cole had some knack for ‘The Paramour’s Kiss.’ As a long moan escaped her lips, Natalie hoped it was both. She could definitely get used to this sort of treatment. Feeling the Peak coming, she shivered and rasped. “A-a-almost there.”

  A few seconds later, the avalanche hit, and Natalie was reduced to a twitchy loose-limbed mess. One final lash of Cole’s tongue sent her spasming, and loosed a whimper from her mouth. Blinking away tears of pleasure, she looked up at Cole’s imposing form. His muscled chest heaving. His face split in a wicked smile. Recovering slightly, Natalie let out a weak laugh. “If…If… I wasn’t already in love… well, that would have done it.”

  Cole snorted in amusement. “Do you need a moment? Or are you ready…?” he asked.

  Rolling her hips and clutching her breasts, riding the ripples of pleasure, Natalie chuckled. “More! By Sister Sun, that was wonderful.”

  Smiling, Cole reached down and cupped Natalie’s face. “I really love you Nat; thank you for being part of my life.”

  Natalie’s already flushed cheeks ignited, and she whimpered. “Oh, that just isn’t fair.”

  Clutching her hands in his, Cole leaned down and kissed her. Positioning himself to enter her. Shaky with excitement, Natalie gasped as she felt him brush against her sex. Then her world went black. Bone-deep cold exploded through Natalie’s body, and she let out a scream of pain.

  Panicked, Cole looked at Natalie and saw she was shaking and shivering. Pulling back, afraid he’d hurt her, he saw frost billow from her lips. Natalie’s eyes rolled back in her head while strange black runes started to form on her skin. Runes Cole recognized. They were rest-markers. Things carved on tombstones or at the gates of a Cemetary. Designed to trammel the Undead and weaken Necromancy. This was an attack; someone was attacking Natalie!

  Lust and love bled away into rage. Cole called Natalie’s name as he looked over her body, seeing the marks spread with every second. Just then, Cole heard shouts from downstairs and the thunder of boots on the staircase. Someone had found them and sought to take Natalie. Snarling in anger, Cole found his pants and his axe. Lengthening it to a Halberd, he held it at the ready. If the jagging Vampires were brazen enough to attack in Vindabon, they must truly be desperate or arrogant. It mattered not, Cole would keep Natalie safe and make them pay.

  Gripping his weapon tight, Cole spared a glance at Natalie and thought back to Isabelle’s death. Of how she’d screamed when they set her on fire. How utterly jagging useless he’d been, lying there, his arms torn off and his life-blood pooling out around him as his lover died. Turning back to the door and approaching footsteps, the Paladin of Death left, and the Homunculus Knight returned. Growling, he made an oath. “Not again, never again!”