You could’ve at least asked me, or warned me, William thought to Kuru.

Could I? You would have killed them if I’d asked?

Well, no.

So you’re asking me to waste my time.

No, I mean, maybe, it’s just…this is very hard to think about right now.

Then don’t think about it. Pretend you didn’t do it.

William walked wordlessly for a few moments, occasionally pausing to listen.

I’m surprised this place is so quiet. They have a horde of zombies a half day’s ride from here that just destroyed my army. Seems like somebody would’ve got the word out.

You give Hsin far too little credit. Do you really think he would have forced a retreat if he didn’t have preparations made for escapees?

Maybe not.

Absolutely not. The lich is a genius. He no doubt spent years planning that one battle.

“Hsst,” came a sound from above. William stopped and looked up. A small figure crouched motionlessly on top of the city wall.

“Yes?” William said. A female voice replied, so low it was almost a whisper.

“Late,” she said.

“I had an, uh, delay,” William said.

“I saw,” she said. “Reckless. No control.”

“Sorry. So what’s the next part of the plan?”