As Matoya fell to the ground, Ellone tried to turn Marlene so she was holding the little girl close to her. This wasn't supposed to be something bad for a child her age!

And the way everyone was suddenly on guard made the hair stand up on Ellone's neck.

"Okay, Marlene?" Kneeling down, she addressed the little girl. "If something's really coming and it gets dangerous, you, me, and your knight are gonna leave, okay? I'm not a fighter, so I can't stay, and I'll really need you to keep me company, okay?"

It was more that Marlene needed the protection, but Ellone knew well how children's minds worked.