Free Amendments by Andrew Ryan Henke

looked resigned to whatever fate was about to come their way.  Noir noticed Ruith had also been running and knocking on doors.  The entire town was alert as the soldiers entered the town.
                  The soldiers marched down the main road calling for everyone to exit their homes and come to the road.  Townsfolk of all kinds waited with hunched postures by their front doors as the soldiers walked past.  A few of the town guards hurried toward the small Tierian army and formed in a line in front of them.  Each knelt to one knee in front of the army, which had stopped and begun to fan out in a long line of their own.  The army wore matching dark iron armor with gray clothes underneath.  Once their ranks had been assembled, the leader of the Tierian army called out, “I am Lieutenant Dunn.  Who will speak for this town since your caretakers have been killed?”
                  One of the guards stood up.  Noir recognized the voice of Alphonse.  “I will, sir.”
                  “We received word that the armored murderer came and attacked this town two weeks ago.  How many in your town guard died in this battle against the menace?”  Alphonse bowed again but said nothing.   The Tierian leader barked, “Speak!”
                  “None, sir.”  Noir heard a few hushed whispers from the townsfolk around him.  A few soft whimpers started.
                  “How can this be so?  Did you not fight this armored man alongside your overseers and Din Mage?”
                  “With respect, sir, what can a handful of town guardsman do against an adversary who can destroy a Din Mage without taking a scratch?”
                  Lieutenant Dunn barked, “Silence!  I am no fool!  Your guard did not confront this enemy!  What I see is a town in revolt!”
                  The whispers around Noir became scared murmurs and the sound of crying increased.  Noir could tell that this was not going well, but he had no idea what to do or say.  He thought he might be able to take on this many soldiers with his lux, but he would need the help of the fifteen or so town guardsmen.  However, Noir was not sure they would fight. Even if they killed all of the enemy, what purpose would it serve?  The Tierian capital would simply send more men in greater numbers next time.  However, after this, the people might be more willing to flee to Talik, but that would mean one tenth of Lithe’s population would have to die for them to learn!  Noir had to find another way.
                  Lieutenant Dunn continued, “To send a message to this enchant armor murderer, we must thin the population of this town.”  Noir heard more angry and worried murmurs around him.  “He must know that any town he tries to liberate, he is only harming in the end.  Our census records indicate that this town’s population is four hundred and thirty.”
                  Noir’s mind reeled as soon as he did the math.  “Forty-three people can’t die today!” he growled through his teeth.
                  “If you flee, you will be immediately slain.  This will NOT count toward the ten percent.  Therefore, I suggest you stay put.  Remember, this is for the good of your town and all of Tier!  The King looks after you and supplies you with everything you need, but the kingdom needs to work in the designed way.”
                  Noir again growled to himself, “This guy’s a madman !”
                  “Assemble in four rows before me and my men here in the street.  If you are hiding anyone in your home, I suggest you go and get them now or else my men will slay them when they find them.”
                  A few people quickly scurried off.  The weeping had grown and the sound made Noir angrier.  A few voices called out in dissent, but were hushed by others.