Clang!
Olin thrust the Lance from beneath her arm. Her charge drove it through the City Wall soldier's heavy armor and pinned him to the ground with force to spare.
The soldier pinned by her Lance struggled, still trying to grab her.
Olin brushed the hair from her bloodied cheek, drew her sword, and swung downward.
Smack!
The severed hand hit the ground, twitched a few times, then went still along with its owner.
Once the Dark Hall's elite had left, only Annan and Lilith, the Succubus Queen, remained.
"Clan Chief, is there anything I can do for you?" Annan radiated loyalty from head to toe.
With no outsiders present, the Succubus Queen's voice turned husky and throaty as a cat's. "Even if it costs you your life?"
"I'd walk through fire for you, Clan Chief!"
After a laugh that would have made anyone blush, the Succubus Queen murmured, "Don't worry. You're one of the few men in our clan. How could I bear to send you to your death?"
"I want you to..." She paused suggestively. "Negotiate with the Stuen Ratfolk in my place."
What?
The Judgment Hall wanted him to infiltrate the Chaos Cult, the Bard wanted him to get close to the Succubus Queen, and now the Succubus Queen wanted him to infiltrate the Ratfolk.
Was this some kind of spy-within-a-spy-within-a-spy situation?
Why does everyone come to me? Do I look that good at being a spy? Annan wondered.
At Annan's hesitation, the eyes beneath her hood flashed dangerously.
"You don't want to?"
"Of course I do!" Annan puffed out his chest. "I may not be good at infiltration, but wherever you point your sword, Clan Chief, I'll go!"
"Good. Find the Traitor. He'll bring you back." The Succubus Queen looked somewhat pleased.
"New Star, I'll