106 SLIPSTREAM - PART 8

Sterling exasperatedly brushed his fingers through his hair, pushing the fringes of his bangs from his face. He stared down at the commotion unfolding in the keep.

There were many in the fortress who came out of their rooms to see what was occurring.

The Duke glanced over to his vice commander, and cooly remarked, "I see that it's already too late."

He rubbed at the tension in the back of his neck. "I should have listened to you. It looks like word of a new saintess has spread like a wildfire. Get every able-bodied man armed and start the process to push everyone out to the west of the fortress. Keep them off the fields at all costs."

There was a sharp whistle, and the knights in the fortress fixed their gazes in the direction it had originated. The men noticed Vice Commander Merrick, standing beside the Duke. He gave them a series of abrupt hand signals, and the paladins knew instinctively what to do when they saw it.