Hansen quickly caught back up with the group of guardsmen that were protecting Vivienne and Adam in their center. Hansen warned them: "Hurry it up! There is a pack of ghouls that just entered the road!"

Giving a worried look over their shoulders, the guardsmen reset their formation with more guards in the back of the formation in order to more easily ward off the incoming ghouls.

The new ghouls had not immediately charged at the group of protectors, as they had noticed the many other dead ghouls lying in the street. This new pack appeared to have about twenty ghouls in it as well.

While cautious at first, the ghouls simply could not ignore the prey in front of their eyes. when the guards quickly sped up, after they had reset their formation, the ghouls started to charge wildly, in a mad effort to kill all those in sight.

The road before the guardsmen stood clear. After the initial ghoul attack, any civilians that had been in the street earlier had long fled. With the ghouls coming in from outside the city and blocking the road back, there would certainly be no more civilians that would be able to make their way along this road.

The guardsmen had started running as fast as they could, whilst carrying Adam and Vivienne. Though the patrolmen were a bit slower than the ghouls, there was still quite a wide gap between them. It would still take some time for the ghouls to overtake them. Their current goal was to make it back to where this road connected to the one that intersected with the original road that Vivienne came up. There would be more members of the city watch over there, and it would get them back to the fort faster as well.

When they had finally made their way to that road that had once been so clogged full of civilians rushing to safety, the ghouls had already closed the distance to the guardsmen by well over half. As the area came into view, they had also been momentarily stunned by what they saw. What had once been a place bursting full of civilians, who were pushing each other down to escape first, there were only the bodies of the innocent strewn about the road.

There were more ghouls that were overrunning the area. Had Vivienne stayed behind that wall of people, instead of taking the ally earlier, she would certainly have been dead by now. The area had turned into chaos. In their frantic effort to flee from this bloody nightmare, the civilians had even began pushing at the guards who were trying to protect them.

Alaric's former squad mates had formed the core of protection for Vivienne and Adam while they carried them. Looking over, the rest of the guards, who had formed around this core, spoke out: “Continue forward with your charges. We will help stop the ghouls here.” Hansen's group continued forward without a moments hesitation.

There was chaos to one side, and a pack of ghouls hounding their heels behind them. They all knew that if they had just continued forward without leaving someone behind to help out, that pack of ghouls would have joined in on the chaos and set themselves upon the already struggling civilians and city watch. Everyone that was there would certainly have died, due to the high number of ghouls attacking from both the front, and the back.

The guardsmen hired by the city council, for the city watch, were all professionals. The council would suffer no rookies failing to keep the peace. Almost all the guards of the city watch shared a thought about their work; if you protected the families of others, they would in turn protect your own family. This was the reason why those guardsmen had so quickly formed up around Vivienne and Adam. This was also why they were selflessly staying behind now. Not only to protect Vivienne and Adam, but all those who had yet to escape.

Hansen's group hurried forward without a glance back. They kept a sharp eye out, hoping that they would see no more ghouls on their way back to safety. Making their way, Hansen's group saw more and more people on the road to the fort. There was a mix of civilians, city watch, and even a few soldiers from the fort were out. The city watch and the soldiers were hurriedly running around trying to organize the fleeing civilians. Over hearing a small conversation between some of the city watch, Hansen learned that everyone now knew that ghouls were attacking and were setting up a perimeter to stop further ghoul incursion.

As Hansen's group was turning down another road that would now lead directly through the fort gate, a fellow guardsman hailed them with a wave of his hand. He noticed the blood covered Vivienne and Adam. “Oh man, I see you picked up some wounded. There is a healer that is working in Heller plaza. You should head over that way to get them treated.”

A bit of confusion had spread over the faces of those in Hansen's group. Vivienne, who had finally given up struggling, spoke with a slightly hysterical voice: “Heller plaza? What about the fort!? Sure there are healers there too!”

That guard, who had been kindly informing them, was stuck with a surprised expression. “The fort has long since closed, and barred it's gate. It has already been filled to capacity and can accept no one else.” After seeing their stunned facial expressions at the news, as well as the surprised remark from Vivienne, the guard had figured out that these people before him did not fully understand the current state of things. He tried to speak with a reassuring voice: “Sorry, I guess you haven't been giving any orders of information yet. Why don't you first get the wounded over to be treated, then you can link up with some of the watch that is organizing the plaza.”

Left with nothing else but to follow the guard's suggestion, Hansen and the others quickly made their way over to Heller plaza. When they reached the plaza they were a little surprised by what was before them. While the entire plaza was quite crowded, it had been designed to facilitate large numbers of people as market business was conducted within it's domain. Many of the open air shop stalls, that should have littered the area, had been broken down and removed to in order to accommodate more people in the plaza. The area had been quickly and neatly organized by the city watch in a short amount of time.

Hansen's group wanted to get Vivienne and Adam to the healer as quick as possible, but it was so overcrowded they had no idea where to go. Having asked a guardsman who was organizing the plaza, they were directed towards a larger one story building that was at the edge of the plaza. This building had been taken over by the watch to give to the healer.

When they approached the building, there were two guardsmen standing by the entrance. These guards were acting as bouncers, preventing the healer from being overrun by people who had simple small cuts, but wanted the highest form of treatment they could find. The two guards did not even need to investigate Vivienne and Adam, it was clear to all who could see. Being covered in so much red and black blood, they needed to be admitted for treatment.

The inside of the building was mostly one large room. There were tables spread about that used to contain many wares. now they were filled with patients that needed tending. There were a few nurses moving about, bandaging broken limbs that had already been set by the healer, or pouring special purifying salt into wounds caused by ghouls. Many moans and groans floated about in the air. A few yelps escaped various mouths as the purifying salt was poured into some wounds.

When Hansen's group came in bearing Vivienne and Adam, a nurse quickly came over with a frightened look as she saw all the blood covering the two. She quickly found that all the blood on Vivienne, was not her own. It came from when she had sobbingly clutched Emilia, after she had let Dallen and the others take care of Adam. Even if Vivienne did not have any apparent open wounds, her leg was bent at an odd angle and would need to be set.

Adam's wounds, however, were quite more serious. He had splotches of black blood covering him, he would certainly need to have a treatment of purifying salt. The most serious thing to consider, though, was that wound across his face. It was level with his eyes and crossing the bridge of his nose. The point of a blade had scrapped along here and may have even gotten deep into his eyes. Purifying salt would also have to be poured into this wound as black blood covered Adam's face from when the ghoul commander died. There was most likely a low chance of him recovering his eyesight.

Another nurse came up and joined the first to take Adam away.

“Where do you think your taking my son!” Vivienne nearly shouted with an exhausted voice.

The nurse calmly replied: “He is in urgent need of care, every moment squanders precious time to treat him. I will be placing your son ahead in the line to see Healer Varcian. Your leg is not quite as serious, as long as you get it set sometime tonight, it should not effect your healing process. As such you will remain here towards the back of the line.”

Vivienne could only choke on her words at the nurses reply. With a tear choked voice: “Sorry, please save my son.” was all Vivienne could get out.

After the second nurse left, the first nurse that came up to them spoke: “If you need to speak with me, my name is Felicity. Please bring the missus over this way. I will fetch a bowl and help clean her up a bit.”

After laying Vivienne out, Hansen and the others left Felicity to do her job as they spoke among themselves.

“Do you guys want to stay here, or go out and help around?” Dallen asked the others

“I'm Staying here.” Hansen's gruff reply came first.

The others took a moment as they contemplated what to do. Eventually Jeffery, Timothy, and Barnaby had decided to split up and help out in the safe zone. While they were helping organizing, or whatever else needed to be done, they would be looking for their various family members. Dallen, on the other hand, had not yet married. Not having a family to look for, he decided to head towards the front lines and kill some ghouls to avenge Alaric's death. Having all made up their minds, the squad split up to accomplish their chosen tasks.

As Hansen returned, Felicity prepared to leave as she had finished cleaning Vivienne. Felicity spoke: “After your leg has been set by Varcian, we will try to find better clothes for you to change into. Staying in bloody clothes is not good for your health.” Being exhausted, and anxious about her son, Vivienne could only nod towards Felicity.

Just as Felicity was leaving, she noticed that Hansen was staying behind. “Hey if you are going to stay you need to clean yourself up, we don't want you getting ghoul blood on others.” Felicity was referring to how Hansen was also covered in black blood. “Let me get a fresh bowl for you.”

The blood was quickly washed off of Hansen's armor. It had been designed that way. Noticing the gash on his arm, Felicity also made sure to scrub his wound and pour some purifying salt in it.

Having also been cleaned, Hansen stood awkwardly beside Vivienne. He was never any good at small talk. Vivienne could only lie down and rest, as she waited for news of her son. As Hansen was looking around, in his awkwardness, he noticed where that second nurse had taken Adam. He was next to an area that had various kinds of bottles, bandages, and tools lain about. There was an older man in a gray robe flitting about as he grabbed bottles and tools as he worked. “That must be Varcian” Hansen thought to himself. He couldn't see the state of the person Varcian was working on, but Adam appeared to be next in line to receive treatment.

Hansen spoke only a few words: “I'll be back.”

Vivienne did not even respond, as Hansen walked over to where Adam was lain down. Adam had also been cleaned up a bit. One could now actually see the color of his pale face, though his clothes were still quite bloody. The only blood that remained on his face was the small amount that was coming from the wound that went across his face, at eye level.

When Hansen got close, it appeared that Varcian had finished with his current patient. A nurse was helping the patient move away from the area covered in bottles and tools. Another nurse came along with some boiling water and quickly scrubbed Varcian's table.

When he came to move Adam over, Varcian noticed Hansen standing right there, waiting for them. Thinking that there was something the city watch need, Varcian curtly asked: “What do you want?”

Varcian had turned irritable after being woken up in the middle of his sleep by this mess. It also did not help that he had a flow of patients that did not seem to be stopping anytime soon. Even if healing was something he was passionate about, he did not wish to see so many injured people.

In reply to Varcian's question, Hansen replied by gesturing towards Adam and saying: “I am a friend of the family.”

Varcian gave Adam a single glance before waving a hand towards Hansen. “You may watch if you desire. However, do not enter my work space, do not interrupt me, and do not block the nurses. If you can't do that, you may see yourself out.” A nurse then helped Varcian move Adam onto his work table, as he set about his job.

Hansen had given a single nod towards Varcian, that went unnoticed, as they were moving Adam. Watching Varcian as he worked, Hansen noticed that he was constantly mumbling to himself, as he checked Adam's eyes and his pulse from his wrist. He then started collecting various bottles around and applied them to Adam's wound, even going as far as pouring some of it into his eyes. Varcian then took a hand full of purifying salt and poured on top of the line, that was the wound, going across Adam's face. Varcian also poured some into Adam's eyes. Hansen cringed a bit when he saw this. He was glad Adam was unconscious, or he would probably be screaming right now.

Varcian was secretly impressed by Hansen as he worked. Most “friends of the family” would have harrumphed when he told them to stay out of the way. They would also incessantly ask: “How does it look? Is he going to make it?” However, not a peep came out of Hansen.

After he finished with the purifying salt, Varcian finally produced a vial, seemingly from nowhere, and put a drop from the vial in both eyes. He then grabbed a bandage from the table and started wrapping it around Adam's head to cover the wound. Looking over at Hansen as he was finishing up he spoke: “Ask for some bandages on the way out. Replace the boy's bandage daily. Never reuse any of the bandages, unless you want his eyes to fester.”

Hansen pointedly asked one question: “Will he regain his sight?”

Varcian held a slightly somber face as he spoke: “An extremely small chance. Some ghoul blood got in his eyes, and it had eaten away at his damaged eyes. Still, there is no longer any danger to his life.”

To this point Varcian was lying a bit. There was zero chance of recovery for Adam's eyes. Nobody liked to hear “no chance of recovery” and may even start raving about poor service. Varcian would always go with “an extremely small chance” instead. The truth also was that the purifying salt, which was an aggressive medicine made to combat corruption like ghoul blood, was actually what destroyed the nerves in Adam's eyes as it was poured in. it was a sad truth, that in order to keep him from turning into a ghoul, Varcian had to sacrifice Adam's eyes.

Hansen nodded at Varcians words. He then pointed across the room towards Vivienne. “What about the boy's mother?”

Varcian looked over at Vivienne. He then looked at the order of critical patients he had. “It will be no more than an hour before I can get to her. She will have to wait like the rest.” Without waiting for Hansen's response, he spoke to a nurse: “Joyce, help this man find a new set of clothes for the boy. We can't have him infecting the wound with his dirty rags.”

Having no room, or authority, to refute Varcian, Hansen followed nurse Joyce to a separated room that had once been the back of the shop. This room had been set aside in case some of the patients needed to change clothes. After being fitted into fresh clothes, Hansen carefully held Adam in his arms as he brought the boy back to his mother.

When Vivienne saw Hansen bringing Adam over to her, she managed to sit upright as some of the exhaustion, that was over coming her, left her body. She was slightly joyous as she looked at her son. Adam was no longer covered in blood and had fresh clothes. She then asked Hansen “What did the healer say about Adam?”

“He said that Adam's life is no longer in any danger. However there is a slim chance that he will recover his eye sight.”

Vivienne had first been joyous after hearing the first part. But after she heard that her son might not be able to see ever again, she lapsed into a state of despair. “Why? Why did Alaric and Emilia have to die? Why did I have to break my leg? Why did Adam have to loose his eye sight? Do the spirits hate our family so much as to destroy it?” Vivienne was hysterical as she began sobbing dry tears again. she also began to rock back and forth with Adam lying in her arms. Hansen could only stand there and watch, he had never been a tender man and had no idea what to do to calm Vivienne down.

With time Vivienne had stopped sobbing, but she never stopped rocking. Eventually an hour had passed by and Varcian was ready to take a look at her leg now. Since he was just setting the bone, he didn't need all his bottles and tools so he came directly over to see to Vivienne. Looking at the state Vivienne was in, Varcian produced a pill from his robes and offered it to her. “Here take this, it will help.” was all he said.

After Vivienne silently took the pill, she started to droop. Quite quickly, she ended up asleep. Varcian spoke towards Hansen while he examined Vivienne's leg. “I just gave her a mild sedative. With the state she was in, it sent her to sleep right away. It may be a while before her body recovers to the point where it will allow her to wake up again.”

Hansen replied with a simple: “Thank you.”

After setting her leg, Varcian left a nurse to wrap it up. He then turned towards Hansen and told him: “Her leg was broken in three different spots, all close together. I'm afraid that her leg might not heal properly. Try to keep her from moving too much. She may need a crutch to move around after she heals, and even small weight may cause pain in her leg.”

Hansen thought for a moment before replying: “If this is all that you can do, then that is enough.” Those were the only words that could come to him in order to reply to Varcian. It was an imperfect healing, but it was better than getting someone inexperienced to do it instead.

Varcien then only said: “I'll continue on then.” As he turned around to help the next patient in line.

A few hours had passed since Vivienne and Adam were treated. Another nurse had helped Vivienne into some new clothes during this time. They were still in the building with healer Varcian, as neither had woken up yet. Hansen was not anxious to move them around or go anywhere. He just patiently waited as time went by. He watched over the pair while he kept an eye and an ear out for any trouble. His worst fear was that some random ghouls would manage to pass through the city guard and arrive here.

When the sky was brightening with the first light of day, Dallen finally returned. Quickly finding Hansen where they had left Vivienne earlier that night, he came over. When he saw Vivienne and Adam had clean clothes and bandages, he felt a little relief. “I see that they have been treated. Will they be fine after this?” he asked Hansen

“They will live, but Vivienne may need a crutch for the rest of her life. Also, the chances for Adam being able to see again are small.” Hansen replied with facts.

Dallen was stunned into silence. He then spoke in an agitated voice: “That's all you have to say? How can you be so calm? Do you have no sympathy?”

Hansen replied with an incredulous look. “What do you mean? Healer Varcian already did the best he could. The results are far better than if we had not sought treatment for them at all. What is there to complain about?”

Once again Dallen was stunned into silence. This was so like the gruff Hansen. Some may call him callous, but he was absolutely right. This was already a better outcome than what could have potentially happened during this perilous night.

“Enough about this” Hansen said. “What about the ghouls? What is going on out there?”

No one could ever argue with Hansen when he was like this. His argument would always have some logical reasoning, but it would lack any emotion that a normal person would have. Simply put, Hansen was an odd one.

Falling into Hansen's pace, Dallen answered: “Well, it seems that the fire at the edge of the city was some sort of summoning portal. As the sky was lighting up this morning, the ghouls all started to retreat back through the portal. There are some investigations that are planned to figure out who, or what caused this incident.”

Hansen nodded at Dallen as he thought. Just as he was going to speak, loud war horns reverberated through the city, and everyone paled when they heard them. These horns came from the fort, it was a warning that Luxom forces were spotted.

Before the first blowing of the horns had stopped, an even louder voice cracked through the sky: “Citizens of Fort Erich, Surrender or Flee! You have one hour to comply.”