When the streets of the city were empty of the living, the foreign soldiers began to enter the houses. Kenda did not have to guess what was happening inside the homes. He watched as some citizens tried to escape the slaughter by running out the back doors of the houses, but the foreign soldiers were waiting for them. After each house was searched for citizens, a foreigner tossed a torch inside. Soon the entire city was burning.

“I think that is my father,” Jackle shouted hysterically as he pointed towards his house. “Run, Pa.”

Kenda winced as he watched the foreign soldier strike the man down. He looked across the street and saw his own house burning. He closed his eyes and let the tears flow down his cheeks. When he opened his eyes again, he saw more boats landing on the beach. Men jumped out of the boats, but they did not wear the red uniforms of the others. The new arrivals wore dark hooded cloaks. A chill ran down Kenda’s spine as he watched the hooded men enter the city.

“We have to hide,” Kenda said softly.

“What?” blubbered Jackle. “What are you talking about?”

“Those are mages,” replied Kenda. “Look along the beach. The hooded men are mages.”

“As if they can cause more damage than the soldiers,” snapped Jackle. “Who cares about the mages?”

“We do,” Kenda replied, forcefully calming himself. “They did not need to bring mages ashore to kill the citizens. We need to hide.”

“Why?” asked Jackle. “What do you know that I don’t?”

“The only reason to bring the mages ashore is to find the citizens that the soldiers missed,” explained Kenda as he moved to the nearest crevice and squeezed his body into it. “They do not plan to leave a single person alive. We have to hide before they find us.”