As Rachel, Paul, and Zeno rode back in, they were greeted by Samuel and Mark. Jessica refused to go see them after they left without a word. Mark and Samuel could see it on them; they lost, at least, Rachel and Paul did. Something about Zeno was off. He was hiding something but they didn't know what he was hiding. Samuel went to talk to talk with Rachel.
"What happened? What did y'all find?"
"She loves you, you know? She really does."
Rachel left quickly with tears in her eyes. Mark and Paul conversed about the encounter.
"What is going on Paul? What happened?"
"They knew we were coming. I fought him and I thought I could beat him. I thought I had righteousness on my side. I didn't. He didn't either. He was doing a job under threat of death. His sister and his wife. We bloodied that throne room."
Mark, Samuel, and Paul walked back into the keep. Zeno went and looked for Jessica.
"Jessica! Jessica!"
"Go away Zeno! You're a liar! And a fraud!"
"So that's it? Because I want you to be safe, you throw me to the wolves?"
"Why did you do that? Why did you betray all of us?"
Zeno glared at Jessica, almost daring her to tell the others. They both knew what was happening. She backed away in fear, and Zeno left her in peace.
Voron and Ultas began marching their army south. In full force they rode down into Sillsing. They had no plans for any kind of occupation. They went to destroy the city and everyone in it.
The city watch saw the approaching army and sent word to the Protectors. They recieved word rather quickly and began their preparation.
"We have to ride hard, and fast. If we want the city of eternity and legend to continue we have to hurry!"
Heeding Paul's words the party left for Sillsing. They rode as fast as they could, but Ultas and Voron were much closer and had already begun their assault. The Protectors entered to sights of savage slaughtering, screams of horror and desperation, and total misery. They watched in horror as Ultas, Voron, and the assassians killed the people.
"MEN, SNAP OUT OF IT, AND FIGHT!" Paul furiously yelled. The Protecters drew their weapons and began their attack. Paul saw Voron and charged, his anger blinding him from morals as he attacked ferociously. Voron couldn't even compete and was left at the mercy of Paul.
"I won't kill you. I let you be trampled to death."
"Not likely!" Voron yelled as he escaped from Paul. Voron ran away from Paul and into Mark, trying to best him, but he was tired from his bout with Paul and had to retreat, hiding like a coward.
Jessica fought valiantly, saving as many people as she could in the process. Cansoulian then surprised her, attacking with speed and precision. Jessica was not a good swordswoman, but she was able to just hold her own to escape.
Agripian and Samuel faced each other. They readied their blades and prepared their stances, the battle around them seeming to fade out of their perspective. Samuel struck first, carefully placing his blade as Agripian went to defend. Paul was gathering the rest of the Protectors as Samuel allowed them to escape. Agripian toyed with Samuel as he danced around him. Samuel was able to lock their blades, making eye contact.
"You know this is wrong Agripian."
"I have a plan."
Samuel quickly broke the lock, getting away with the rest of the Protectors. Agripian didn't even attempt to stop them as they fled Sillsing. Ultas and Voron then began to raze the city. Screams of terror as children burned filled the air, the stench of their burning flesh stinging the assassins nostrils.
Ultas, Voron, and the assassins stood in the wake of the destruction. Ultas head out for Silverstone, leaving Voron and the assassins. Voron turned his back to the assassins. Agripian readied his blade, Sorrian and Cansoulian confused as to why Agripian would draw his blade. Voron somehow sensed the attack, swinging around to block the blow. Sorrian and Cansoulian didn't even hesitate, they stood with Agripian against Voron.
"You pathetic, insignificant bastards! I'll kill all of you and bathe in your blood!"
"No, you die here Voron."
The assassins attacked Voron. He was stronger than any one of then, but he couldn't withstand all three. Sorrian cut his leg and Cansoulian cut his arm, rendering him completely immobile. Agripian then stabbed Voron straight through the heart, killing him.
"Sorrian, Cansoulian. We need to go to the Protectors. I'm tired of killing innocents. We know that they are good and will lead us to prosperity. Sorrian I know you fell for the one named Samuel."
"Brother, I will admit that its true, but they will never accept us. We killed their people, their friends."
"Sorrian is right my love, they will kill us on sight."
"That may be, but I will try. Maybe if I helped them, I could attone for all that I have done. Maybe I could do some good before I die."
The assassins waited, then agreed. They set off to put themselves at the mercy of the Protectors, hoping they could provide an edge against Ultas.