The elf in a ragged cloth immediately knelt down, tears trickled down his face.
"M..Master Reagan, h..help us."
Akamir blinked in confusion, still holding his raised fist mid-air.
The kid in front of him couldn't have been older than ten.
He was skinny, dirt-covered, with bruises on his arms and a fresh cut across his cheek.
His golden eyes were wide, trembling with panic.
Reagan quickly slid off Akamir's shoulder and landed beside the child.
"What happened, Ekilo?" he asked, voice low and serious.
Ekilo's shoulders shook.
"T-They… the guards… they took everyone, Master, they said it was to 'keep us safe,' but…" he paused, choking back a sob, "…but no one who goes past the temple comes back."
Reagan's gaze turned serious. "Where's your mother?"
Ekilo lowered his head. "She was taken last night."
Akamir quickly grabbed the bottle from his bag and passed it to the child.
Ekilo took it as he began to chug down huge gulps of it.
