Teclos and Serenna were escorted to the fortress before the fires in the southern district had been fully extinguished.
No one called them prisoners, and no chains were brought out, but six soldiers walked around them while another four followed behind. The patrol captain led the group through the eastern gate without speaking.
Serenna kept her hood low over her borrowed face. The amulet had recovered enough to restore the appearance of the male mercenary she called Seren, though the enchantment remained unstable. Every few minutes, a faint ripple passed across her cheek or jaw.
The captain noticed while they crossed the upper courtyard.
"Huh. I could have sworn your face changed just now."
Serenna touched her cheek as though checking an injury.
"The vampire struck me with lightning several times. I use a small glamour to cover old scars, and the spell was damaged. Every now and then it twitches."
The captain frowned.
"That sounds unpleasant."
"It is."
