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“That wasn’t her,” he hears Miko say from the back.

Turning back to him, he says, “I realize that.”

Moving down the street they come across another dilapidated building that has seen better days. Jiron comes to a halt as he stares at the building. “What?” asks Miko quietly.

Pointing to the rear of the building, he says, “There’s light coming from the rear window.”

“So?” Miko asks not sure why that would require special attention.

Jiron glances back to him as he says, “The building looks like it’s about ready to fall apart. I wouldn’t be in there unless I had no choice.”

“Could be just another street kid like we found back there,” suggests Miko.

“Perhaps but we better check it out anyway.” Moving toward the window, Jiron steps quietly. The light is none too bright, most likely coming from but a single candle.

They reach the edge of the building several feet away from the window and he motions for Miko to remain there while he goes to investigate. When he sees Miko’s nod, he moves to the window. Peering inside, he sees four men standing around another seated in a chair. His breath catches when he sees who it is seated in the chair, James’ friend Dave. He has half a mind to leave him there.

The men are saying something to Dave but Jiron can’t quite make it out. Suddenly, Dave looks toward the window and sees him there. “Jiron?” he asks.

The four men as one turn to see him there at the window and they draw their swords.

“Damn fool!” he exclaims as he backs away from the window and draws his knives.

“What?” asks Miko when he hears him curse and sees him draw his knives.

Jiron glances back to him for just a second and says, “Trouble.”

The door to the building crashes open as three of the four men rush out onto the street. Jiron moves to engage them and hears Miko’s sword leave its sheath as he too joins the fray. “They have Dave!” he tells him.

The first man to reach him tries to bull his way through his defenses as he hacks down with both hands on the hilt of his sword. Jiron easily sidesteps and lashes out with a return strike as the man passes and scores a deep cut on his left shoulder.

The second man comes at him with a thrust which he dodges backward to avoid. He hears the first man cry out as Miko takes him through the chest with his sword and moves to engage the third.

Now one on one, Jiron is able to block the man’s attacks. After three exchanges of attacks, he has the man’s measure. When the man thrusts as he knew he was going to, he sidesteps the sword and strikes out with an attack so fast it’s but a blur. His knife sinks into the man’s throat and severs the larynx. Choking on his own blood, the man is unable to properly defend himself and Jiron kicks out, connecting with his knee and shatters it. Falling to the ground, the man gurgles as blood fills his lungs.

Miko parries the third man’s attack and follows through with one of his own. His reflexes having been honed by his time with the Fire, his sword flies at the man horizontally and severs his leg at the hip. As the man topples forward, he strikes out one more time and runs his sword through his chest. His sword gets wedged in between the man’s ribs and is ripped from his hand.

After the man hits the ground, he puts his foot on his ribcage and draws out his sword. Looking around quickly, he sees Jiron wiping his blades on one of the dead men’s shirts.

“Dave!” Jiron says and moves toward the doorway. He stops suddenly when he sees Dave peering around the corner.

“Are they dead?” he asks, a tremor of fear in his voice.

“You can come out now,” Jiron tells him. “Where’s the other guy?”

“He ran out the back,” he says. Looking at the dead bodies, he can’t help but hide his revulsion at the sight.

“Let’s get back to the inn,” Jiron says.

“Yes,” he says, “I’d like that.”

“Who were they?” Miko asks as they begin moving back toward the inn.

“From the Empire, I think,” he says. “They said they were going to kill me if I didn’t tell them where the