[IRP] The Dead One Calls

[Swift_Assassin]

"He's leaving out a lot of details, I assure you," Maisie chimed in, just hearing Cecily's comment about his age.

Part of Shad's heart crumpled a bit when the others said to delay their attack. To rest in the village. How can he be expected to rest when who knows what is happening to his sister just down this road? How can he be expected to stay his sword when a man who was practically family was strewn along the path like litter? It was up to Maisie to sway him.

"Who selected the guards to watch over Maria?" That question alerted him slightly. Why? "Did Marcus choose them...or did you?" That was it. He hand picked these guards to watch Maria. He knew half of them from when they were his father's retainers. He trusted them like his father once did. He looked back at her as to ask why. "The bodies of the other soldiers are further on along the path. Would you really be able to ignore their presence and put up a proper fight?"

He hadn't thought of that. She did say 'bodies', plural. Of course. That was how Marcus and Maisie knew something was up, by seeing the other dead soldiers. He wasn't as attached to some of them like he was Marcus, but he'd seen some of them almost daily in his youth. He had been estactic to see them when they returned to swear fealty to him. To see them in the same sorry state as Marcus would be too demoralizing.

Eli had approached him and put his hand on his shoulder. He advised waiting, but that he was with him. "You're right." He sighed. Maisie, satisified with that answer, began following after Paige and Cecily with Taika. "When night falls, can you help me out with something? We need another approach. One with less...familiar faces along the trail."