As he crossed the chapel ground, Florence appeared in his hand. Neither Vera nor Jeffer heard him coming. His boots sound absorbed by the grass. It was only as he neared, and his boots struck the path, that Vera turned her head. As her eyes widened and her mouth opened, Harm struck. He had raised Florence aligned to Jeffer, the flat of his blade cracking him in the back of his head, sending him face forward onto the path. He hit the ground hard as Harm took the last three strides to reach Vera. 

The scream that had left her mouth was shrill and terrifying. Harm didn't slow his momentum as he crashed into her. His shoulder met her face, throwing her backwards, flailing. Harm immediately bent, grabbing the woman by her long hair and pulling her staggering back to her feet. Her face was battered; her nose had exploded where Harm's shoulder had met her face. It was now skewed, and her mouth was broken—a gap in her front teeth where one had been dislodged.

Vera reached up instinctively, kicking in as she raked at Harm's hand, gripping her hair as he started dragging her into the side entrance of the chapel. Her nails dug in, drawing blood, but Harm didn't feel it. Rage filled his mind. There was little room for anything else. Vera kicked her legs, scrambling, trying to gain a footing as she was dragged across the smooth chapel floor. There were three in the chapel who, at hearing the scream and commotion, now stared at Harm.

This wild, crazed-looking man, wearing blood-stained, tattered clothing, was dragging the town cleric by her hair. Two women who had been praying started to run. The third screamed, the sound almost mind-numbing in the acoustics of the chapel. Harm threw Vera by her hair towards the front row of pews.

She crashed into them, knocking the pew over. Harm heard the crack of a bone from the impact, the woman's face covered in blood from her desperate bid to free herself. The first pew toppled into the second, and a domino effect started as the pews on the right side of the chapel fell one after the other, the crashing and banging adding to the crescendo of noise.

Harm looked at Vera. Her eyes were fluttering, her hair was covered in blood, and in his fingers, he realised he still held some of her hair and what appeared to be part of her scalp. The now-bald patch on her head was weeping. 

"Get the fuck out," Harm said to the remaining woman who hadn't yet fled. She knelt at the base of the statue, where she had been praying, still screaming and petrified. A damp patch appeared around her knees as Harm, in his wild-eyed frenzy, walked towards her, pointing Florence at her.

"I said, get the fuck out now or die," Harm said as the tip of Florence came to rest on her chin.

The woman's eyes crossed as she looked at the blade, now silent, unable to respond.

"NOW," Harm screamed.

The woman kicked into motion, turning, scrambling away, crawling across the floor towards the exit.

Harm looked at Vera, her head resting on her chest, groans of pain the only sound now escaping her lips. He followed the scampering woman as she threw herself out of the chapel. Staggering to her feet, she screamed as she ran terrified from the chapel.

Harm walked to the doors and slammed them shut, dropping the bar across them. Then, almost casually, he walked to the side door and did the same. His breathing was ragged, his eyes wild, and blood coursed through his veins. He knew he had a few minutes to spare.

"Now we talk," Harm said as he walked back to stand in front of Vera, looking down at her broken form. One eye was closing, the nose splayed and offset, with a missing tooth and a patch of bald hair. Her fingers and nails were covered in blood from his hand and forearm, where she had gouged him.

Talk, you say! Why not kill? Talking is boring! The demon said.

"Fuck you," Harm said in response, as Vera looked at Harm, her eyes full of terror.

Vera lay broken, her body felt bruised, and her face battered as a wild man stood in front of her, a long sword in his hand. She coughed violently, splattering blood onto the stone floor.

"I am going to ask you some questions, and depending on how you answer, I will decide if you live or die. Do you understand?" Harm said, his voice menacing yet icy calm.

Vera nodded weakly in response.

"Where is Dafu?" Harm said.

A look of confusion flashed across her eyes.

"The goblin. I guess he visited you last night."

Vera coughed, blood trickling from her mouth. "Yes," she croaked, her voice weak.

"Where is he?"

"I don't know. Felix took it to question it. He heard it mention your name. It thought I was Sister Carol."

"It has a name. His name is Dafu, and I hope, for your sake, he still lives."

Felix was Satil's first name. Not that anyone ever called him by it.

"Where?" Harm hissed again, bending forward, glowering at her.

"I don't know," Vera said, tears streaming from her eyes. "He has many places."

"Where's most likely?"

Vera's eyes flashed as she thought.

"Maybe the farm. I don't know."

"Dasir's?"

"Maybe."

"You know what your brother did, don't you?"

Vera looked at Harm, not responding.

"You know he poisoned my herd and murdered my family, all because of your poisonous wretch of a son."

Vera shook her head. "No. I didn't know."

"Liar," Harm said, slamming Florence's blade into the pew by her face. She turned her face, yelping as wood flew from the pew. Florence carved into it easily.

"Tell the truth, bitch," Harm snarled.

"I promise I didn't know. It was only after it happened that I became aware of it. I overheard Carl and Felix talking. I had no involvement in it. I liked Dahlia," she sobbed.

"Yet. You never said a word. You never told anyone, even when you found out," Harm hissed, his eyes like slits.

"Who could I tell? Who would have believed me even if I had? Felix controls the town. I have no power."

"That day I came to your home, did you know then?"

Vera's head dropped, and she was unable to meet his gaze.

"Bitch," Harm again slammed Florence into the pew.

Harm heard the blare of a horn. He knew that signified the town guard, and he placed the tip of Florence against Vera's throat.

"Tell your husband I am coming for him. It will be on my terms, and when I do, he will die, as will anyone else who stands with him."

"He will hunt you down. You will never be safe," Vera gasped, coughing violently.

Harm noted a bubble of froth on her mouth. Her ribs must have broken, and her lung punctured. He didn't care as he turned away. Walking to the side entrance, he opened it and stepped outside. The blare of the horn was getting louder, and he could hear their shouts and cries from across the town. Harm turned, seeing Jeffer just starting to rise from where he had been knocked out. He was sitting up, rubbing the back of his head.

"Sorry," Harm said as he sprinted past Jeffer. Jeffer turned to watch him go. Harm leapt over the face at the rear of the chapel and dashed across the open ground to the wood. He heard the clatter of hooves on the stone bridge crossing the river, the clanging of armour and the cries of alarm. Raised voices and shouts from behind followed him. Harm reached the trees and ducked inside.

"We need to move," Harm said, continuing straight past Nathic and Jillew. They sat momentarily before leaping to their feet and sprinting after Harm.

"What happened?" Nathic asked, panting, as he tried to keep pace with Harm, whose stride was much longer than theirs.

"We are going to the farm," Harm answered.

"Which?" Jillew asked, struggling as much as Nathic.

"Dasir's the dairy farm."

That was the only conversation as they sprinted, cutting through the woods along the side of the valley. Harm could occasionally hear horn blares as they moved, and in the distance, shouts as guards searched the woods where they had been. Harm didn't slow; his anger and fear for Dafu gave him stamina beyond what he should have had.

An hour after leaving the chapel, they reached the farm. The farm's cows were in the pasture, and off behind the main farmhouse, which was twice the size of Harm's farmhouse, stood a barn. Harm stuck to the treeline as he circled the pastures before approaching the barn. It was when he neared that he stopped for the first time since leaving the chapel. 

Nathic and Jillew panted heavily as they caught up; they had both fallen behind. Not by a long way, thankfully. Harm was also panting, but he didn't notice as he looked over the pastures and the farm. There were two men and a woman in the pastures feeding the herd. Harm hadn't known how large Dasir's herd had been, and there had to be at least thirty cows.

"Nathic, with me. Jillew, stay here and watch the main track. If you see town guards coming, then you come and warn us."

Jillew just nodded, unable to respond, as he was doubled over, leaning on his knees.

Harm looked at Nathic. "Let's go," he said, leaving the cover of the trees and dashing across the pasture towards the barn.

Nathic chased as fast as he could. Harm reached the barn and immediately flattened against the wall. They had approached the rear of the barn, and a single ajar door stood to his side. The barn was similar in design to his own, just on a larger scale. Harm moved to the door and listened. His heart pounded in his ears. Nathic joined him, his cheeks flushed, and he looked exhausted.

"You okay?" Harm asked.

Nathic just nodded.

"Ready then. Let's go," Harm said as he gripped the door and pulled it open, stepping inside. It was still morning, and the ambient light in the barn took Harm a moment to adjust to as he took in his surroundings. Stalls ran the length of both sides. Two men were working there. One was close by, with a stall door open, and a wheelbarrow outside as he cleaned the stall out. The second man was positioned nearer the far end, performing the same task. Harm heard the sound of laughter and footsteps from the hayloft above them.

Harm looked at Nathic and signalled upwards. Nathic nodded, and then Harm pointed at the closest man and drew his hand across his throat. Nathic nodded again with his short sword in hand. The man wasn't paying attention as Nathic crossed the barn towards him. Harm started down the barn to the other.

There was a squeal and a gurgling sound behind Harm, and he saw the man drop beneath the stall, as Harm heard a blade being withdrawn. It was a sound any swordsman recognised. Harm was twenty feet from his target when he turned, spotting him. His eyes opened in surprise, and Harm triggered his Bash skill. He flew forward in the blink of an eye, now within a few feet as Florence sang, sweeping through the air. Her blade sliced across the man's throat. His open mouth and scream, which he had been trying to let free, became a gurgle. His hands flew to his throat reflexively.

The man collapsed, gasping as he bled out. He was no fighter, only a farm hand, in the wrong place at the wrong time. Harm felt nothing as the man's life ended. He may have been innocent, but that meant nothing to Harm now.

His demon laughed. Yes! Yes! Kill them all!

Harm turned, seeing Nathic appear from the stall. He smiled at Harm, who smiled back.

A ladder led up to the hayloft, and Harm immediately moved to it and started to climb. Harm looked at Nathic and signalled for him to stay down. Nathic nodded in understanding. Harm reached the top of the ladder and peered over the edge of the loft. The loft was full of bales, and Harm could hear voices, but see no one.

He climbed into the loft and turned towards the sound, crouching. The rear of a man's head was visible over the top of a bale. Harm sneaked towards him.

"What time do we switch?" One of them said.

Harm heard the other grumble. "Two hours yet."

"Fuck. Why the hell are we here? It ain't going anywhere," the first one complained.

"Boss's orders. I need a piss," the other said as he started to stand where he had been sitting on a bale.

Harm was in the open; as soon as the man turned, he would see him. There was nowhere he could move to get out of sight. Harm saw the flash of metal, realising the man wore armour. Harm's body ached; he knew he was tired. He knew he should have collapsed after the run, but he hadn't; he was still going, his mind firing automatically. He triggered Equip as he rose and charged the man.

The man was half turned when Harm appeared, no more than fifteen feet from him, and only a bale of hay stood between them. 

"Fuck," the man said, as he fumbled for his blade. 

Harm didn't slow or wait, diving over the bale, Florence leading as he thrust towards the man. The second had reacted and started to rise from where he had been lying on a bale. Florence pierced his target in his thigh. Harm was low from his dive. He cried in pain as he finally withdrew his blade, stepping back and away. He raised his blade, striking back at Harm as he rose from where he had landed on the bale.

The man growled as he swung at Harm. His blade missed by inches as Harm stood. Harm rose and steadied himself as the two men now faced him. The one he had hit grimaced, blood seeping from his thigh. The wound wasn't severe, although it would hamper his movement. The second man cried as he attacked, lunging at Harm, a short sword in one hand and a dagger in the other. 

A duel wielder, the man had to be skilled. The short sword flashed, and Harm parried, Florence pushing the blow aside as the dagger followed. Harm couldn't react with Florence and raised his vambrace. The dagger scraped its surface, but didn't hit flesh, the plate doing its job protecting his arm. The first man now attacked, his blade sailing at Harm. Florence was ready, meeting the blade and deflecting its aim. 

Neither of these men was a beginner, and both had skill with their weapons. Even the injured man was moving his blade swiftly. Harm cursed as he parried again. The men hounded him, as one finished striking, the other attacked. There was no relent in their attacks. Parry, block, parry, dodge. Harm moved and fought in the confined space. His limbs felt heavy, lactic acid burning. He needed to do something to give himself time. He didn't want to chance Bash. They were too close, and it would likely leave him open to an attack. He would use Whirling Blade, but the second man with the short sword and dagger kept stepping out of range, timing his next attack almost perfectly. 

Harm triggered his Burst skill. It was a skill he would only ever use near the start of a fight; it hit his stamina hard, and Harm was already exhausted physically, but mentally, his brain wouldn't allow him to stop. Burst was like being hit with a Quickening spell; it allowed for repeated strikes in rapid succession. Florence instantly felt lighter as Harm parried a blow and thrust before the second man could react. He caught the man's short sword arm, slicing into the muscles of his bicep. The man cried in pain, his short sword dropping to his side. Unable to lift his blade. The first man attacked again, but Florence was there, pushing the blow aside, then springing to life, slashing across the man's chest. The man wore armour, but the strike knocked him back. 

The one with the dagger slashed at Harm; this time, Harm didn't parry. His skill had only seconds remaining. He stepped in, thrusting his tip of Florence through his leather armour, penetrating his stomach. His dagger had hit, though, and Harm felt the blade bite into his arm. He grimaced in pain, snarling. Anger was fuelling him. The man staggered back. Unable to hold his wound, with his short sword arm injured. He lifted his dagger again, with a pained expression. The first man cried as he swung his blade at Harm. The skill hit cooldown, and in the instant it did, Harm's body felt twice as heavy; he almost fell where he stood. He knew the blade would strike him, but he didn't care anymore.

The first man's head jerked backwards, and Harm saw the arrow now sitting where one of the men's eyes had been. Harm glanced, seeing Nathic at the top of the ladder, short bow in hand. He could have kissed the goblin, even if he had ignored his instructions. The first man fell backwards, the arrow puncturing his brain. Harm cried as he swung Florence with all his might at the second man. The man tried to move his dagger to block the blow, but with his injured arm and stomach, his moves were restricted, and Florence hit true, slicing deeply through his midriff and erupting from the far side. The man's abdomen split, and Harm watched as his intestines fell from the opening.

Harm gasped as the men fell dead, his mind foggy, exhaustion scratching at the edges of his vision. 

Well done! Well done! The demon sang.

Nathic ran over to Harm, looking at his arm, where Harm had been sliced. The gash was long but not deep. It was bleeding, but not badly. Harm sat heavily on a nearby bale, breathing deeply. 

Nathic had passed Harm and called. "Here." His voice was excited but concerned.

Harm forced himself back to his feet and walked to Nathic, who had walked behind the bales. The scene that met Harm sickened him. Dafu was strung from the rafters of the barn, his feet dangling above the floor. His head was slumped forward, and his clothes were covered in blood. His mouth was gagged, and Harm noticed that half of one ear had been cut off, his face was beaten, and cuts were visible on his arms, where a dagger or similar had been drawn across his flesh.

"Dafu," Harm cried, seeing his friend. Adrenaline flooded him, giving him the boost that he needed. He grabbed Dafu, releasing the gag from around his mouth, and lifting his slight frame, releasing his arms from the hook, where his wrists had been hanging. Relief flooded through Harm as he forced back tears, freeing his friend.

Dafu's eyes fluttered open. A smile spread across his face. "Harm," he said.

"Don't speak. We need to go," Harm said as he cut through his bonds. He lifted Dafu and threw him over his shoulder. He weighed less than a sack of seed. "Grab their weapons," Harm said as they passed by the dead men. Nathic did as instructed. Harm climbed back down the ladder. It wasn't an easy task with Dafu on his shoulder, but nothing would have stopped him from getting his friend to safety. They left the rear of the barn and crossed the pasture. The men and woman were still in the fields and didn't see them. Jillew saw them coming, grinning as they did. His face paled as he saw the state Dafu was in.

"We need to get back before they find them," Harm said, and the four of them started back to the clan.