As their silent march continued, it seemed there was quite a bit of truth to what Mheris was saying. It was as if they were creating an entire bubble of quiet and stillness that almost felt supernatural.

  Tennebris had never taken the time to learn about the world around her, or how it worked, as it had never been relevant to her survival. However, she was finding that she not only had much to learn about the world around her, but that she suddenly felt very behind.

  Just how much of the world am I unaware of? Tennebris thought to herself. Falling back in line with their shared march, they once again came upon the clearing and the mutilated carcasses of the insects they had found before. Seeing them in a new light, she gave them a second glance.

  She didn’t stop to investigate as she had before, but started to wonder if these bugs were all just victims of circumstance. Perhaps they all were. Perhaps, these were all just the machinations of the world. It’s invocations calling to life, a creature to level the fairness of it all. Or perhaps, a creature went on a rampage and was culled for it.

  Either way it was all behind them, much like the clearing now was.

  It was funny to Tennebris. How life seemed to carry on as if they hadn’t just lived through a nightmare. Insects swarming out of the forest seemed to be a natural occurrence. Or so you’d think, based on how the farm workers went on about their business. Sure, they’d stop to clear debris, but they weren’t in the ‘clean up mode’ you’d expect.

  They’d toss aside a misplaced rock, lift and throw a fallen section of fencing. Milling about and going through the motions. Tennebris supposed to herself that maybe this was just their way of dealing with things. Their way of coping with the enormous tragedy that had befallen them. Without the protection of the city’s walls, guards, or adventurers, Tennebris didn’t really see anything else they could do.

  It seemed to Tennebris that here- without anyone looking after them -was the only place normalcy could be felt.As Tennebris and Mheris crossed the threshold back into the city, the two of them both noticed simultaneously that the city had removed the gate from its interior hinges.

  The gate’s doors had been broken, shattering under the weight of the swarm’s combined strength as they smashed into the city’s feeble defenses. But seeing the gates removed was a startling sight, nonetheless. Was the city healing? Perhaps. But Mheris felt it was a sign of weakness. One that could only lead to an uninspired mindset that would seize the hearts and minds of those who saw it.

  Havenreach was no fortress, sure. But even then, it was a trade hub of sorts. It wasn’t a metropolis by any means, but it still had a larger than life feel to it. Especially now, several unfamiliar faces were seen in the crowds in front of the destroyed gates. Many of them were sullen, looking even more defeated now than they ever had been.

  It wasn’t that Tennebris or Mheris knew any of the people their gaze fell upon, but it was stilling to see the look of dismay. It was as if the city was a gladiator fighting in a colosseum. Only instead of it being a show of champion versus lion, it was the lion displaying its fresh kill. The death knell refusing to ring as it bared its fangs to the crowd.

  The only bright side to the gates being removed was that to do so, they had to clear the square first. There were holes driven into the stonework, missing brick where there should have been carefully laid patterns.

  Gods. It’s going to be a lot of work to fix this.

  Tennebris was so transfixed on the new state of the square, that she didn’t notice the crowd, as if a hivemind, had all moved their gaze from square to the would-be monster slayers traipsing back into town from a seemingly normal galivant through the forest.

  They were completely entranced by the head hanging from one person’s pack, and the bloody, still dripping paws hanging from the other’s. What was even more disjointing was the sight of the slayers themselves. Both were Diabli, that much was obvious by their bat-like wings, and tails. But one of them had a very lean and athletic build. That one was covered in scars and carried a dangerous air about her.

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  She had two daggers at her side and a bow slung behind her back, pressed in place there by the pack she carried. It was clear that she was ready for anything. Then there was the other one. Where they noticed the horns and very obviously Diabli form of the one leading, the other one, following behind was clearly a stark contrast. Pale, almost glowing skin like the various shades of light as the sun began to hang lower in the sky. Wings that she kept tightly pressed to her body. A tail, that whipped and curled wildly as she seemed to be in a starring contest with the ground. Invisible waves of anxiety radiating from her. This one was lean, but not quite as muscular. She looked underfed, and agile.

  She seemed, to the crowd at least, like she could run better than she could ever fight.The worst of it for Tennebris, were the whispers. She could hear them, now that she was keenly aware of the crowd’s attention. She could hear the questions about her horns. The children pointing and whispering.

  Diabli weren’t uncommon, but ones without horns were a spectacle. Tennebris knew this. It was only worsened by the fact that they were hauling around these monster parts like trophies. But that’s what they were to her. To both of them. They were a symbol of victory. A symbol of a pay day waiting to be claimed.

  Tennebris picked up her pace momentarily, joining Mheris at her side.

  “So, what’s our plan for addressing the guards? They all but told me to piss off last time.” Tennebris questioned, trying to gather the courage she knew she would need. She knew that this was her adventure. That it was her that would have to handle this.

  “Didn’t think that far ahead, eh shadow? That’s alright. We’ll just announce to the guards that we’ve been investigating the cause of the invasion and that it’s been handled.”

  “Do you really think that’s going to be enough?”

  Mheris, shrugged wordlessly. “It’s gonna have to be unless you’ve got a better plan.”

  “I’ll think of something. Maybe they’ll just believe us. We do have these things to prove it after all.”

  “As long as you’re confident. Lead on.”

  Tennebris took the lead as prompted, walking them along the same route she had taken just a few days earlier. Running through scenario after scenario in her head, she knew she could do little to prepare herself for this. It was not something one could easily ready themselves for especially without much prior exposure. In the end, she knew she was going to have to figure it out as she went along.As they approached the familiar looking guard station, Tennebris made note of the heightened security. There were 2 guards at the base of the steps, their armor reflecting the light as she approached. One was handing out waterskins, stored in nearby crates with a word scrawled across them. ‘Hellsmouth’ they said. Tennebris didn’t know why, but that name sounded familiar to her.

  Maybe it’s a place? A person? I dunno.The other guard, wearing an identical guard’s uniform, was handing out neatly sliced half-loaves. Tennebris and Mheris both stutter stepped their way into the fray, strongly considering the idea of getting in line for a free meal. Chasing the thought away, they both continued their approach.

  “Excuse me, I need to meet with the captain. We’ve been hunting the beast that caused this mess and bring news.”

  Tennebris was doing her best to wear, what seemed to her like an expression of confidence. To Mheris however, looked like Tennebris was in pain. Like she had stepped on some sort of dagger that had pressed its way right passed her shoes, and straight into her heel.

  Oh, good gods. Tennebris needs new shoes. Mheris thought to herself, shocked by the state her travel companion’s attire.

  “We tracked the insects to the forest and found what made them swarm here. We also bring proof of our claim.” Tennebris’ voice had a renewed feeling of strength and resolve that seemed to register in the guard’s otherwise blank face.

  Her initial statement didn’t. It was obvious only one of the guards spared her a sidelong glance. But with the mentioning of the forest, and the swarm, and proof. Now she couldn’t be ignored.

  “With whom do you speak an audience with?” The other guard questioned- not the one Tennebris addressed. He interjected purposefully, like he was trying to throw her off.

  Snapping her head in the direction of the voice, she resumed her demands. “We’ve been investigating the cause of the attack and have irradicated it’s source.”

  Wrong choice of words technically. Hopefully the sight of us is shocking enough to be believable.

  Tennebris undid the knot that secured the paws to her pack, holding them up as if it would explain everything.

  It did, but only in that the guard would do the least he could, which was give Tennebris a curt nod, then head inside.

  “Do you think he’s getting the captain?” Tennebris mused to Mheris.

  “Beats me. All I know is I want to hear is the sound of coin jingling about in a purse heading my way.” Mheris replied, greedily rubbing her hands together.

  After a short wait, the guard returned, holding the door open while standing off to the side.

  “The captain will see you now.”

  This is it girl. Just keep it together long enough to explain yourself and you’ll be fine.

  This entire time, the two of them had stood in the middle of the steps leading into the guard station, between the four guards which were now handing out food and water, and the two guarding the station itself. Now, as if they were statues being magically animated, they pressed forward.

  Tennebris had seen the inside of the guard station before. But seeing it now, as the city’s hero, it felt it was the first time ever.