Moltar and Astredian followed Elise to the front doors of the guild hall. The troubadour opened both double doors at the same time, to reveal Darien’s shadowy form, backlit by the rising sun behind her. The only features that were clearly visible of her face were her faintly glowing green eyes with their distinct golden scratch across the left, and the glint off her teeth as she grinned at them.
“Good morning, kiddos.” Darien said, her husky alto slicing through the quiet and stillness of the sleepy village like the fine edge of a freshly sharpened blade. “I sure hope you’re ready.”
Astredian and Moltar glanced at each other. Elise, seeing their hesitation, gave them a little nudge, pressing one finger into the small of each man’s back. The guild commander and his second stepped forward,
