Chapter 32: The Autumn Town

Purity skittered nervously to the side as Talon and the knights appeared through the forest behind us. It was so quiet, even the air was silent, not even a songbird made a sound. Poe breathed heavily, motionless on Pumpkin's ample back, while the three silver knights dismounted in muted rage. Talon held out a hand to prevent me from dismounting, but I slid off Purity's back on the other side. I could feel the prince roll his eyes, as he now had to dismount as well.

"What happened here," I asked in shock as I walked towards the ruins of a building. "Where are all the people?"

A figure appeared about the edge of a nearby building, dressed in dark armour and holding an enormous jagged sword. With a wave of his hand, he summoned someone behind him and a small group of soldiers appeared.

"We were waiting for you," the dark Fae called. almost conversationally. "As for those who lived here, well, you'll find them eventually."

"Enough!"