Under the shadow of his helm, the warden's gaze shifts first to Nathaniel, and then to the others in turn--quick work, taking stock. In the hallway, there are other voices joining the din, arguments rising in pitch and fervency.
The warden in the crooked cloak reaches a decision at last, which he delivers as an ultimatum: "We talk on the way, or we talk not at all." But for all that firm conviction, he doesn't leave it there--and if it's the plainness of Merrill's please or the heft of Nathaniel's title that gets to him, who can say. "King Wilhelm's been deposed, imprisoned. The First Warden has taken temporary regency, and word's come that we're t--"
A scream from down the corridor cuts the rest of it short, followed by a distinctly inhuman roar. Now something has gotten loose that shouldn't.
"Demon," comes a warning shout from down that way, under the next roar, "DEMON," and the three wardens at the left flank tighten ranks, shields up, swords drawn. The others follow suit, filling in to form a stopper in the hall just beyond the doorway. There's room enough that the little Inquisition group could squeeze out and run off the way they were pointed, or stand and make this their fight.
no subject
The warden in the crooked cloak reaches a decision at last, which he delivers as an ultimatum: "We talk on the way, or we talk not at all." But for all that firm conviction, he doesn't leave it there--and if it's the plainness of Merrill's please or the heft of Nathaniel's title that gets to him, who can say. "King Wilhelm's been deposed, imprisoned. The First Warden has taken temporary regency, and word's come that we're t--"
A scream from down the corridor cuts the rest of it short, followed by a distinctly inhuman roar. Now something has gotten loose that shouldn't.
"Demon," comes a warning shout from down that way, under the next roar, "DEMON," and the three wardens at the left flank tighten ranks, shields up, swords drawn. The others follow suit, filling in to form a stopper in the hall just beyond the doorway. There's room enough that the little Inquisition group could squeeze out and run off the way they were pointed, or stand and make this their fight.