"Oh, I should have realized," Raylam said, putting a hand on his chest. "The fault is mine. Starlight is from the Divine Throne."
The older guard nodded. "Ah, is that right?"
I nodded timidly.
"I'm Bene, one of the officers here. Not that rank means much anymore." He smiled wryly. "We deserted from the main company once the king began suppressing the riots with the Heart Crest. We couldn't stand throwing away the liberty we'd fought so hard for, even if the gods sanctioned it."
The other guard spit on the ground. "No god of mine would force his faithful to become slaves." He hesitated, glancing at Rylam. "No offense, of course."
Rylam shrugged. "I've already resolved myself to my fate, George. Enusia has never been fair, nor will it be in the future. I'm just grateful I can live free for a moment."
"You really left Roann? They let you?" I asked.
