The guard nodded. “Proceed to the road. We’re under orders to test all through-traffic, so you’ll have to pull over.”
“Oh, I don’t have time to take a test,” Fletcher stammered. “I’ll go around, it’s no problem—”
“That’s not an option at this point,” the guard told him. “Anyone living or traveling along the East Outlet is at risk.” He gestured for Fletcher to get moving.
“Go, please,” Fletcher whispered to the boulder. “The creature—the golem, as the other man had called it—lurched into motion, plodding toward the blockade. “At risk of what?” Fletcher asked, turning to the mounted Imperial, who’d heeled his horse forward to accompany the bloodbound.
“Infection,” was the curt reply.
Fletcher’s stomach did an odd sort of flip-flop. He scrunched his neck, retreating into his coat like a
