The men backed up, eying Arcann warily as he stepped towards them. Where the sun should've burnt him to a crisp, it instead seemed to dim as he removed his cloak, sending a shadow over him. He was upon his targets in a moment, and the fight lasted only seconds. When Astrid blinked, the street was brimming with crimson liquid. She hadn't even seen him attack, just a blur that whizzed through the men like they were a pile of dry leaves in autumn. Limbs and heads were scattered everywhere.
A wave of dizziness and nausea washed over her and she forced herself to take several deep breaths. Arcann wiped his hands on his trousers and donned his cloak once more before coming to kneel beside Astrid. "Hold this," he said quietly, handing her a small, feathered creature. She gently cradled it in her
