All That Is Evil Is Not Dark/Chapter 38

Darin pushed through the crowd that was milling around, taunting and jeering. They thrust sticks at their cornered victim and leered darkly. Darin was reminded uncomfortably of sharks in a feeding frenzy.

"Fall back, I say, or I shall arrest the lot of you..."

"Commander," several people said, breaking the circle, but the worst of them would not be dissuaded from their mischief. Darin noted with dismay that some of the city guard were among those vaulting attacks.

"By my sword, I will arrest the lot of you and any under the king's employ I find engaged in vigilante justice will find themselves on charges of subversion of their station."

"Commander!" they shouted and finally fell back, allowing Darin to finally see the victim of the hostility.

Darin gasped aloud at the sight of the injured Brilhado. For a moment, he was at a loss for what to do. Then he spoke authoritatively, "Fall back, all of you... Guards, clear the way, I am taking the man from the turret into the castle proper."

"But, sir..."

"The gods take you, man... I will brook no discussion. I order you as Commander of the Royal Armies to make the way clear..."