“Look at me!”

Surprised, the old man looked up. He stumbled, a hand pressed to one cheek as though he’d been struck. “Neh, neh! It wasn’t only me that started the fight. I was drunk and he was jealous. My clan paid the fine—more coin than that vermin was ever worth—and the assizes court approved the finding and the reckoning.”

“You always hated him. Your clan was respected, and his despised. So easily you atone for stealing his life, which can never be repaid. And yet still you think about it, every day it eats at your heart . . .”

From the safety of the watchtower, Joss clutched the railing as the old man buckled, knees folding, and sank to the ground.

“How can coin absolve blood?” the cloaked man pressed on. “I know all who have transgressed, and what they hide. There is not one I have faced, not even children, who does not seek to conceal wrongdoing, greed, petty and grand cruelties, the way he pinches and prods others just for the sake of—”

The shadows had lengthened, hiding that which plummeted out of the sky. Joss gasped, although he had not forgotten. Two eagles pulled up sharply, wings opening. Talons released weighted nets, and one fell directly atop the cloaked man, while the second tangled across the head and forequarters of the winged horse. It dipped its head and shook it off, backing toward its rider.

Two arrows thumped into the man’s torso. In their wake, with two more arrows flying wide, Anji ran out with sword drawn.

Joss shouted. “Don’t approach him! Captain! Stay back!”

The man let the arrows be as blood leaked through the cloth of his long jacket. He swung to face Anji, who pulled up short, face a study in concentration as the two stared at each other.

“You are veiled,” said the man. “Just as the other out-lander was. Are you Guardians?”

Anji lunged, sword cutting toward him.

The winged horse had come within range. It kicked, and its hoof caught Anji in the hip and sent him sprawling. Four Qin soldiers ran forward, but the cloaked man met them with a gaze that staggered them. They dropped back. He flung off the netting, mounted, and flew.

Joss cursed. He whistled for Scar, dropped down the ladder, and ran out the gate. Anji got to his feet, wincing as he tested his weight.

He looked at Joss. “What sorcery does he wield, to fell that old man without touching him, and confound my good soldiers likewise, with merely a look?”

Sengel and Toughid came up, rubbing their heads and muttering.

“What did you see?” asked Joss. “He never looked my way.”

“I saw a creature who can remain standing with two Qin arrows buried deep in his chest. That is not a man.”

“He’s a demon,” said Menard hoarsely from the ground. “He tried to eat out my heart.”

Anji shaded his eyes against the setting sun. “Likely he is a demon. Meanwhile, he’s escaped. Toughid, call in the militia. Pull in the strongest village men as well. The enemy will reach here soon.” He winced again, took limping steps.