Fools, she thought. Useless fools. They do not even see their own approaching doom.
She turned and flapped hard, shooting west through the sky.
I will bring it to them. And then I will burn down the Lee Shore and kill everyone within.
Mag, Loren, and I ran back to the inn as fast as we could. Loren and her friends had to leave immediately. I went with her to the stables to ready their horses, while Mag excused herself for a moment, taking Sten with her. Together they went to their room in the Lee Shore, though Sten followed his wife with a mystified expression.
“What is it?” he asked as she closed the door behind them both.
“Danger,” said Mag. She went to the bed and flipped it up on its side, scattering pillows across the floor. “I do not know how great the threat is, but from the fear in Albern’s voice, it is considerable. The children and the wizard must leave at once, and we are going to protect them.”
“What?” said Sten, frowning at the mess she had made. “Protect them from who?”
“I do not know that either, save that his name is Rogan.” Mag knelt, seizing the lock of a chest that had been concealed beneath the bed and fishing in her pocket for its key. “You heard Albern speak of the ones he fought in the mountains. I believe they have come here, though I do not know how many.”
Sten fell on his knees beside her and took her shoulders, turning her towards him. Mag paused in her hurried movements, looking him in the eye.
“You mean to fight,” he said.
“If need be,” said Mag.
“It has been a long time since you picked up a blade.”
She smiled. “I only wish I had time to go to the Reeve.”
His eyes darkened. “You promised,” he said. “You swore to me.”
“It was a joke. A poor one.” The words sounded weak even in her own ears.
Sten looked into her eyes a moment more, letting her see that he did not believe her. But then he squeezed her shoulders, and from his breast pocket he produced the key she had been searching for.
“You always leave it somewhere,” he grumbled.
“Thank you,” said Mag, taking the key. “Look after the inn.”
“Now that was a poor joke,” said Sten. “I am coming with you, of course.”
For the first time in a long while, Mag’s face filled with fear. “Sten, you should stay and—”
“I certainly will not,” said Sten. “If the children must be seen to safety, then I am coming, too.”
“Sten,” she pleaded. “If it comes to a fight, I would rather not have you involved.”
“You will have to bear it, unless you mean to stay here with me.”
“It will be more dangerous for me if I have to worry about you.”
Sten laughed, his shoulders shaking. “Do you jest? You and I both know you will be in no danger, whatever may happen.”
“But you will,” said Mag. “Sten, please—”
“Albern is going. That wizard is going. Even those children are riding by Loren’s side. I want to help, Mag. We belong to each other, but you do not own me.”
Mag’s fingers clenched around the key. But after a silent moment, she bowed her head. “Of course not,” she said. Her voice had become quite small and frightened—very different from her usual strong, matronly tone. “But if anything were to—”
The blast of a horn cut the air. Mag’s head jerked up, and Sten met her gaze. The horn faded away, to be replaced with the tolling of a bell.
“An attack,” said Sten.
“Yes,” said Mag.
“We should go.”
“Very well.”
Mag’s hands quivered slightly as she unlocked the chest and threw it open. Inside were two swords and two shields. She handed one each to Sten before taking up her own. Together they stood, and Mag gave her blade two quick swings.
“It has been some time,” she said.
“I wish it were twice as long,” replied Sten. “Quickly. The others will be in the stables.”
They rushed downstairs. On the threshold of the common room, Mag paused. The customers were stirring, looking around anxiously as the bell continued to toll. The front door of the inn burst open, revealing a woman whose face was a mask of panic.
“An army!” she cried. “An army has marched out of the Greatrocks! They have the west gate, and they are killing everyone they can get their hands on!”
A great tumult burst out in the room, terror rising like a tide. But even as everyone rose to their feet and looked about, trying to decide what to do, Mag raised two fingers to her lips and gave a sharp whistle. The common room fell silent as all eyes turned to her.
“Foes attack Northwood,” she said. “If you can fight, fetch your weapons. If you cannot, find a good place to hide yourselves and your families. But whatever you do, do it quickly, for they will not wait for you to decide. Go!”
The last word cracked like a whip. Her customers jerked where they stood and then began moving with purpose. Mag nodded to Sten, and they made their way to the stables.
When they threw open the wide double doors, Loren and I whirled, drawing our weapons. We relaxed as we recognized them—but then Loren balked at the sight of their swords and shields.
“The city is under siege,” said Mag. “We shall see you safely beyond the walls.”
“You should go back inside,” said Loren. “Wait until we have gone. They will pursue us beyond the city and leave Northwood in peace.”
“That I doubt,” said Mag. “There is already killing in the streets. And you have no time to convince me otherwise. Mount your horses. Quickly.”
Before Loren could argue, I took her arm and urged her towards the saddle of her horse, Midnight. “You
