The two men stepped out from between the trees.
Kyle tightened his grip on his sword. His eyes moved between them, calculating. The tall one had a sword. The stocky one had no visible weapon.
`No weapons on the second one... That doesn't mean he's unarmed.`
He remembered what Lilian had taught him. Some classes didn't need weapons. Some classes were weapons.
He took a half-step back, positioning himself between the strangers and the children.
Virgo had stopped pulling the rope. Her hands were frozen on the handle of the bucket. Her yellow eyes were wide, but she didn't scream.
Leo was behind Kyle. He couldn't see the boy's face, but he heard his breathing. Fast. Scared.
"Kids," Kyle said quietly. "Don't move."
The tall man looked at Kyle, then at the children behind him. His eyes were calm. Too calm.
"Who are you?" he asked. "Are you helping that traitor?"
Kyle didn't answer.
"Step aside," the tall man continued. "We're not here for you."
"And the children?" Kyle asked.
