I stood and whirled about in time to see Kalazan running toward me, sword out. I wasn’t his intended target. Kalazan reserved his anger for the baron, who’d ordered Kalazan’s father executed, made Kalazan an outlaw, who would have killed Kalazan and all his companions. For the man who had betrayed their friendship.

Kalazan saw me and checked his progress.

“Get out of my way, my lord.”

“Am I your lord?”

His mouth twisted. Even with the smoke between us, his eyes were bright. “So it would seem.”

“Then lower your sword.”

“But he—” Kalazan pointed. “He was your friend before you ever met me. He betrayed you too.”

“He was our friend,” I corrected. “But our friend is gone. I don’t know what happened to him. Something terrible, I suspect. This creature writhing on the ground behind me? I don’t know him. If you worry I’m going to protect Tamin, rather than see justice done, rest easy.”

“Then let me by—” He started to move and stopped as I held out a hand.

“He’s the one person here who may be able to tell me why today’s events occurred, as well as the identities of those responsible. As a Count of Jorat, I’m obligated by oath to protect this dominion. I have a duty to discover who did this and ensure they will never be in a position to do it again. I care not what happens to the Baron of Barsine—but I need this witness to live until I can ascertain the truth of what transpired here. Do you understand?”

Kalazan licked his lips, his face sullen as a dog denied water.

“Do you understand?” I repeated.

He sheathed his blade. “I’ll carry the feet if you take the head.”

I could carry Tamin by myself, but this allowed Brother Qown a chance to do what he could for the man while we walked. I nodded and lifted Tamin up by the shoulders.

We continued to the fairgrounds. Along the way, I refused to look at the obvious bodies littering the ground. The smoke made this easier, even as it lashed back and forth in anger at our escape.

I didn’t think that was hyperbole. Perhaps the mist was angry. The smoke had acted almost with intelligence. I hoped it was my imagination.

When we reached the contest grounds, I saw Dango and Tanner, along with a dozen or so others whom we’d saved. They were busy piling bodies next to the large wood pyres. Dorna was helping.

I tried not to lose my temper, not to start screaming at them for being idiots, the worst fools.

They didn’t know as much about demons as I did.

Besides, I couldn’t scream; I didn’t know how long the air would last.