The tension clouded the air. Diomede let go of Kira, she was able to stand on her own but with difficulty. Diomede began walking down the stairs, "OK! We don't have time to try and kill each other." The three at the bottom of the stairs looked at one another. Clayton stood stall ready to swing his sword if need be. Lily held her arrow straight and still, prepared to send it flying at anyone. Francisco stood in the middle with his hands out and worried that one wrong move would mean his end. "You must deal with the mess in the village." Diomede Stated as he pointed to Clayton. "And you, I don't know what your cause for being here is but it has nothing to do with myself or my nesfundur friend and boarkar ward." The White haired woman turned her arrow to Diomede, " My Business is with the nesfundur, I require his aid with leaving this village and making my way to the capital." Diomede looked at Francisco, "You know her?" Francisco shook his head with confusion. "Never seen her before." Diomede sat down on the stairs and placed his hands on his face. A few seconds of silence passed by, as the four strangers looked over each other. Diomede slapped his knees and stood up. "You are coming with us." He said to the woman. " She pulled the arrow back as if to release it. " Who are you to give me orders?" Diomede pulled one of his axes out and threw it at the woman. She dodged to the left and let loose her arrow. But it struck the stairs and Diomede was gone. The woman reached back for another arrow, but Diomede grabbed her wrist and bent her arm back behind her. "How did you get behind me!" the woman shouted. "Don't or I break it." He said into her ear. She tried to pull free but it felt as if her arm was embedded in stone. "Let me go." She snarled. Diomede pulled the bow from her other hand and let go of her wrist. "We work together and I'll make sure you and I both get to the capitol." Diomede stated. The woman looked around her. She knew the choices she had were little. "Better to have extra hands than to be alone..for now." Diomede nodded and handed her back the bow he had taken. "Your name?" The woman looked over the bow and pulled back on the string, "My name is Lily." As she said this, she fell to her knees in pain. A sharp ringing pierced her mind and a whisper filled her ears. Kira made her way down the stairs and placed her hands on Lily's head. Kira's mind was overwhelmed with images of people dressed in tribal garb and body paint. Then a dark shadow washed over her mind, she pulled back and a pain stained her mind. Francisco attempted to help her stand but Kira reassured him she was fine with a pat on his shoulder. "What happened?" Diomede asked. Kira stood, "She is a halfead." "I See." Diomede stated. "Whatever is controlling the dead must be affecting her as well." Lily snapped at Diomede, "I am under no one's control!" Diomede raised his hands and tilted his head to symbolize and apologize. Clayton realized who the woman was. "You're the one who escaped the tavern this morning. You are wanted as well." Lily looked up at Clayton and snarled. Diomede walked over to Clayton with his axe in hand, "Do you plan to arrest us all?" Clayton looked to the others and back to Diomede. "I must arrest those who are enemies of Umar, or to kill them." Clayton gripped his sword tightly. Diomede gripped his axe. "Remember what I told you about these axes, little cub." Diomede said as he looked down to Clayton meeting the young knight's gaze. Lily placed her hand over an arrow ready to draw it. A small sound echoed from the mess hall. Clayton turned his head and realized the survivors' safety took priority. "But I have other duties to the people of this village. So while I help deal with the dead and keep the innocent safe." Clayton stepped past Diomede, "You four disappear in the chaos." Diomede was impressed with the young knight's choice. "Thank you." Diomede said. Clayton headed for the entrance and peered out. The rain still covered the village and the sounds of swords and groans now dance in the air. The fires reached further into the night sky. Clayton couldn't see where the smoke ended and the clouds began. The knights that were still there stood guard at the gates, now covered with a barricade. Francisco walked over to Clayton, "Where would our things have been placed, my good man?" Clayton turned and pointed to a dark brown door, "Down the hall there." Francisco tipped his non-existence hat and hurried down the hall. Kira made her way to the entrance. The cool breeze that the rain made, reminded her of the falls by her old home. "You mentioned the dead are attacking the villagers?" Clayton nodded his head. Kira took hold of her necklace and prayed. Diomede took notice of this. And began marching over to the two. "Please tell me you only prayed for the safety of the villagers." Diomede groaned as he stood over Kira. She turned to him with tears in her eyes. "She has spoken Diomede." Diomede began stomping and pacing, placing his hands on his hips. "Of course she did." Francisco returned now holding a bag around his chest and writing furiously into his journal. "Alright, we may go." Francisco cheerfully stated. "Thank you for your hospitality, my dear young knight. And do not worry your story will be known through Alborain!" Francisco sang as he tried to walk out the front entrance. Diomede grabbed him and pulled Francisco back. "What? What has happened?" Francisco looked around at Diomede and Kira with a confused look. "We are going to help with the dead." Diomede said. Clayton jerked his head toward Diomede with confusion. Lily grunted with anger, "We are to do what?" Francisco swallowed the large lump in his throat "But...but we are to leave. The mighty Umar knights are able to deal with them." Diomede looked into Francisco's eyes, "remember what I told you?" Francisco looked to Kira. And a moment passed, then his eyes widened. "Oh." Clayton and Lily looked at each other to see if either one of them knew something. "Well then I am at your service." Francisco nervously laughed. Diomede stepped outside, and looked over the village. The fires still roared, he could tell the attacks weren't pushing any closer to the office. "Clayton." 'Where is the temple?" Clayton pointed out, "There, Elite Panagiot has headed there to help the other survivors." Diomede looked over the grounds, he saw the barricade the knights had built but it looked off. "Clayton." Diomede called. "Where are the rest of the knights?" Clayton stepped out. "The commander took a majority of them to the center of the village and left a few here." As clayton said this he couldn't see the knights were just standing gaurd. As he looked out he saw a black mass standing at the entrance. Clayton walked out into the rain, straining his eyes to see through the downpour and darkness. He could see one of the knights standing holding his throat, and then a blade pushing through his face and out of his helmet. Clayton took a step back in shock. The mass began walking toward the gate entrance. The torches that were lit revealed twisted looking beast, wearing bent metal armor. Diomede placed his hand on Clayton's shoulder pulling the young knight back. "Get back and hold the entrance. If any get past me you must cut them down." Clayton ready himself and stepped back. Kira, Francsico and Lily stayed behind the threshold of the office and ready themselves. Diomede cut his finger and made a shape on the ground and chanted a few words in an exotic language. Bright light flashed and before him sat his great sword. He lifted it with one hand and turned to Clayton. "Hope you are ready cub."