Only two people remained where they were ― the young man counting his hard-earned coin, and the old potter. Durbava was frozen with fear. She had heard those bells ring many times before and their sudden ringing would always stun her. She had also heard such screams before, and a muffled clanging that grew closer and louder with each heartbeat.
As if embodying the worst fears from her life, a group of seven people appeared on the square. Two with staffs and robes, one with a huge shield and a sword, one with a dagger, another with a saber, one with a bow, and the other with a musket.
“Don’t move!” shouted the one with the daggers. Something round and red was impaled on the blood-smeared blade. Having looked closer, Durbava almost fainted ― it was an eyeball.
“Oh, how scary, Eric,” th
