Free Demon Within by Julie Nicholls Page A

the street. Surprised at how many had gathered, Mayor Ridley had to assume Amos and Darion were correct.
    The refugees gathered in the square to wait for aid. Mayor Ridley looked at the rapidly growing crowd and wondered where everyone was going to spend the night. He addressed the crowd.
    ‘Friends, please.’ His hands motioned for everyone to settle. ‘I’m sure you’re all scared, and understandably so, but if we stand together united, we can overcome this terrible injustice. I give you my word.’
    Screams came from the crowd, as a horse galloped through the square. The crowd parted to let the horse and its rider through; an injured man, covered in horrendous burns. The gruesome sight made everyone gasp. Darion watched in disbelief as he recognized Milo’s horse. Pushing his way forward, he reached and pulled him down carefully. He was in a pitiful state; the smell of burned flesh made Darion balk. He’d never seen anything so horrific in his life.
    ‘Help me get him down! Someone call the doctor!’ He ordered.
    People ran to fetch water and blankets. His burned clothes barely covered his body, and the sight of his charred skin made many look away. Darion’s eyes winced at the wounds as he tried to make him comfortable, placing a supporting arm under his head. Milo was barely breathing.
    ‘Help is coming, my friend.’ Darion assured him, but secretly knew a doctor couldn’t help.
    ‘Not a fire… it’s a devil.’ His words were barely audible.
    Darion leaned his ear close to Milo’s lips. ‘What did you say?’
    ‘I saw it!’ His eyes widened in terror.
    Darion thought him delirious.
    ‘Not men.’ Milo managed to speak.
    ‘Who did you see Milo? Was it raiders?’
    No reply. He’d slipped into unconsciousness. Darion held back tears as he cradled his dying friend in his arms. Looking to his father and shaking his head, Darion felt Milo’s last breath leave his body.
    Everyone moved aside while Darion carried his friend home. His ailing mother had no knowledge of the recent events. Amos entered the home first, and prepared her for the news. The cries and wails of a mother who’d lost her child filled Darion’s eyes with tears. Carrying his friend into the house he laid Milo on his bed. Covering his body, he suggested they bury him straight away. His flesh was burned to the bone in some places, and the smell wasn’t pleasant.
    Amos comforted Milo’s mother until the neighbors arrived from the square. They assured Amos and Darion they’d take of everything, and not to worry. Thanking them, Darion and his father left and slowly walked back to the square.
    ‘What do you make of this?’
    Amos scratched the side of his face before answering. He didn’t have any idea what to think. Milo hadn’t made sense. After a short pause, ‘Let’s go back to the vineyard. We need to know if the raiders are heading our way.’
    Darion nodded and moved towards the horses.
    Mayor Ridley opened the school and asked anyone with spare blankets to take them there. Sending three women to open the kitchen, he told them to make sure there was enough food to feed everyone. Food and supplies already began to appear by the door. Looking around, impressed by the chaos that had soon turned to order, Mayor Ridley felt blessed to be part of the community. He wanted to speak with Amos and Darion to see if they had any suggestions about Dryden. Seeing them ride out of the square as he turned, he called out, but they were out of earshot.

Chapter 8
     
    The sound of the caravan approaching made Kiera exchange a nervous look with Kai and Sabe, in the middle of the road. Looking past her brother and their leader, her eyes fixed on the three riders at the head of the procession.
    Kiera had never met a King or a Prince, not that she cared. Uninterested by their titles, she had no plans to fall at their feet. In her eyes, actions made a great leader, not a title. It all came down to respect. Don’t ask someone to do something that