The Fatesworn's camp was quiet when Luke and I emerged from Haven, hand in hand. The command tent was empty, save for the Star Guard, who had taken positions guarding the gate.
"Welcome back, my Lady. You look well," Luxxa said with a salute.
"Is everything alright? We weren't attacked, were we?"
"Nothing to report. The scouts came back an hour ago, and bethiv is meeting with some of the evolved demons of his horde," she said, nodding at Luke.
"I'm surprised they bothered talking with a mortal," he said.
Kahlen chuckled, a low, grating sound. "I'm afraid they didn't, at first. But once your horde began spreading on their own, and raiding the nearby villages, they didn't have a choice."
"How many?" Luke asked without blinking.
"Only six or seven. It wasn't until he brought a seventh-level to its knees that they decided listening might be in their best interest."
Luke sighed, touching his horn. "I was afraid of this."
"Um, Luke? What does that mean? Was there a fight?"
