256 TREACHEROUS DISLOYALTIES - PART 8

Andre mounted the Duke's stallion, Helios, and noticed when he looked back that Merrick's body was lying on the ground unmoved. A dark, shadowy spirit hovered over the vice commander. Reaching out, touching his cheek with its withered, dead fingers.

It was the same spectre they had encountered in Halan forest when Sir Proud had fallen sick with the plague in the winter.

The Duke's eyes were fixed on where Andre was looking. He also saw the spectre rising above his friend and vice commander.

"Get back to the fortress…! I will handle this. Tell Hildie I am on my way." Demanded the Duke as he stripped from his armour.

Watching Sterling strip from his breast plate Andre knew this meant The Duke was going to call upon Arvon the Dragon to finish the battle with the monsters.

Before Andre turned for the fortress, he observed Sterling bow his head and his shoulders shudder. He heard his commander's last pained request.