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demon guns with him…”
    Liam grabbed the younger Knight’s wrist. “Come to your senses! Now is not the time to panic!”
    Adrian blinked. “What?”
    “Yes, Lord Marugon’s gunmen have overrun Narramore, and now they move to invade Carlisan,” said Liam. “But there is still hope. Six of the High Kingdoms remain. And the White Council has come, Adrian. They have gathered at Castle Bastion in Carlisan’s northern march. They will strike against Marugon. No matter how mighty Marugon has become, even his black magic cannot stand against the full strength of the Wizards of the White Council. And guns or no guns, Marugon has only five thousand men. When the combined armies of Carlisan and Antarese and Rindl and Amnisos and the other High Kingdoms gather, they will overwhelm Marugon’s band of criminals and traitors. The battle will cost dearly, yes. But we shall yet prevail.”
    Adrian’s face stiffened. “You are right, Sir Liam.” 
    “We must ride for Castle Bastion,” said Liam. “The Wizards of the White Council are there already. Soon the hosts of the High Kingdoms shall arrive. Together they will drive Lord Marugon’s rabble back into the Wastes, and chase Marugon himself back to the Tower of Endless Worlds. We must join them.”
    Adrian nodded and looked over the meadow. “We…we will return later, and do proper respect to our dead.”
    “Of course,” said Liam. He climbed back into the saddle, his old joints aching with the effort. As usual, he ignored them. “Make haste. We must aid Castle Bastion. The absence of the five hundred men we came to collect will be sorely missed.”
    Adrian put spurs to his charger. The two Knights galloped down the forest road, into the Border Woods of Narramore, mud churning beneath their horses’ hooves. 

    ###

    Sir Liam raised a hand. “Hold.” His armored gauntlet flashed in the sunlight.
    Adrian frowned. “What?” 
    “Keep quiet.” Liam looked through the trees. Their horses stood at the top of a wooded hill. The road ahead wound its way over the crest of the hill and curved around its base. “There’s someone coming.” He turned his horse and looked down the slope. He could make out the form of another horseman through the trees. “Keep still.”
    Adrian grimaced, drew his Sacred Blade, and strapped his shield to his arm. “Best be prepared.”
    Liam’s hand closed into a fist. 
    The horseman wore the black uniform of Marugon’s soldiers. Several heavy bundles dangled from his saddle. 
    “Enemy,” said Liam. “Looks like a courier.” The horseman had a small gun holstered at his belt. “He has one of those hell-spawned weapons. We had best take cover and let him pass.”
    Adrian scowled, rage flashing through his dark eyes. “Am I to let this murderer pass by? What of honor? What of our brothers of the Order of the Sacred Blade lying slaughtered in the meadow?”
    Liam glared at the younger man. “Justice shall be served, but at the proper time and place. This is neither. Let him pass.”
    Adrian dropped his helm’s visor into place. “I will not let this murderer escape!”
    “Sir Adrian!” said Liam. The courier paused, looking around, and Liam continued in a quieter voice. “I give you a command as Master of the Order of the Sacred Blade. Do not…”
    Adrian raised his sword. “For Carlisan!” he roared. “For Carlisan and the Knights!” He spurred his horse. The charger leaped forward, Adrian’s armor and Sacred Blade flashing in the sun. The enemy courier spun, and Liam caught a glimpse of a young, unshaven face. The black-uniformed soldier fumbled at his belt for the gun.
    “No! Sir Adrian!” Liam snarled and drew both his Sacred Blades, the swords forged and imbued with white magic by the White Council of Wizards. The weapons flashed with blue fire, and he spurred his horse and thundered after Adrian. 
    The courier drew his gun with a snarl. It was a small one-handed black gun, the sort Marugon’s soldiers called a