The Saintess and Sir Luke left Miresti after assigning two soldiers to guard the village and Rowan's parents.
The remaining fourteen riders gathered behind them.
Rowan sat behind Luke, his broken sword secured at his side.
"Hold on tightly," Luke told him. "We won't be moving slowly."
Rowan wrapped his arms around the man's armoured waist.
The Saintess urged her horse forward.
A moment later, the squad followed. Hooves struck the wet road, and the ruined houses began slipping past faster than Rowan could turn his head.
He looked back once.
Two white-armoured figures remained among the wreckage. Beyond them was the place where his home had stood.
His parents disappeared behind a broken wall.
'I'll kill you.'
He pictured the demon with four pale horns and crimson eyes.
'I don't care how long it takes but I'll kill you.'
The road curved, and Miresti vanished.
Rowan faced forward.
