Savior!

Iron-shod hooves struck the cobblestones, their thunderous clang shattering the stillness of the night.

Renee nervously licked a few breadcrumbs from the corner of her mouth and silently formed a Flame Sword in her palm. By the moonlight, she peered toward the sound of the hooves.

Under the bright moon, cold steel plate armor gleamed. Hooves kicked up clouds of dust as a dozen or so knights in full Heavy Armor raced toward them. The knight carrying the Square Banner was especially tall.

"Do you recognize that Square Banner?" Xia Lun suddenly asked.

Renee narrowed her eyes. When she made out the crest on the banner beneath the hazy moonlight, she let out a long breath.

"They're not enemies!" She turned back to the large pot at once, picked up her spoon, and resumed eating. "They're knights loyal to my father. They used to patrol the roads. Hehe, this soup really is delicious tonight."

Since it was a false alarm, Xia Lun sat down too. He picked up a piece of bread and some dried meat and went back to eating. He had only been drinking coffee earlier; it was time for some carbs and protein!

But soon Xia Lun frowned and sprang to his feet. Renee froze, then set down her spoon and stood as well. The knights galloping down the King's Road had begun to slow, and they finally stopped at the entrance to the ramshackle village. "Woof! Woof! Woof!"

The large dog kept by one of the villagers began barking. But when the lead knight, who carried a greatsword, turned to look at it, the dog whimpered and fled back into the house with its tail between its legs.

A child tried to peek outside, but his mother quickly covered his eyes and dragged him back into