A loud scream was the first indication of the attack on Crynn. Moments later the stableboy heard the bark of small arms, more screams, then the sound of horses galloping down the small town's main street. He peeked out of the stable to see a dozen horses with Styphon's Own Guard, their red capes whipping in the wind, riding down the street. He hadn't seen any of Styphon's Red Hand since the death of Balthar of Beshta, before Prince Phrames the Good took the chain of office. Styphon's Red Hand were firing indiscriminately at anyone on the street, including women and children. He saw one ginger-haired boy dodge a Guard's saber slash, only to be ridden into the dust by his mount.
The sight of six of the white-robed priests, with Styphon's black sun-wheel on their chests, following behind the Temple Guard and a squad of soldiers in the red and yellow colors of Hos-Harphax, holding a banner with a green hawk, sent him scurrying back into the stable and hunting for cover. Styphon's Investigators! Rumors had filled the streets of Crynn for days about Styphon's Holy Investigation and the terrible tortures undergone by those Hostigi unfortunate enough to be taken prisoner and Investigated. As he exited the back of the stable, the boy saw the town's highpriest of Dralm dragged behind a horse with a rope around his chest, his blue robes slashed and blood running down his blonde beard.
He'd been a lot younger when the Hostigi army had advanced through Beshta over two winters ago, but it had been a far different invasion. Great King Kalvan's soldiers had left the townspeople alone, only killing soldiers of the old regime and Styphon's false priests. The rumors said the Grand Host had come to scour the subjects of Hos-Hostigos from the very earth.
He hid under some hay behind a broken windmill blade at the northernmost corner of the stable. Outside he heard more shots and screams.
After about a candle's wait, he heard the screech of hinges and a big bang, as the front doors were forced open. "I saw one of the Daemon's mice run in here," said a voice.
Through the blade Gryos saw a big soldier in leather armor, wearing a yellow and red sash and a green helmet, pick up a pitchfork and begin to punch half-heartedly through the piles of hay. "This is a waste of time. I'm a soldier, not a child murderer."
A tall beardless priest in white robes was laughing. "You're just pissed because you got the short straw for the maidens. These Hostigi are well fed, but not for long. Your commander has given you first rights, but when you're through they will all belong to the Investigation-Styphon help the lot of them!"
The big trooper turned around and spat a wad of tobacco on the floor. "Shut your gab-hole priest, before I shut it for you!"
"You are here to aid Styphon's Work, not give orders! The Investigation did not begin in Hostigos, nor will it end there."
"It will end here for you!" The soldier slammed the pitchfork into the priest's stomach, staining his white bedsheet red. The Styphoni fell to the ground twitching and writhing, with the pitchfork standing upright. The Harphaxi soldier yanked the tines out and stuck it into the hard packed earth floor, as easy as sticking it into a block of butter. Then he pulled out a knife and slit the priest's throat.
Next the soldier removed a long pistol from the yellow and red sash around his middle and in about five strides stood over the stableboy's hiding place, aiming the pistol at his head.
"Boy, come out now-and with your hands open."
The stableboy slowly pushed the hay aside and moved from behind the windmill blade. He was shaking like a leaf in a stiff wind.
The soldier stuck the pistol back into his sash. "Don't be afraid of me, boy, I'm saving your life. I'm a Green Hawk and our company still obeys Galzar's laws. It's these dung worshippers of Styphon that you need to be scared of. I've been watching them torture women and children for days now and I've had it up to here." He held his hand way over his head.
"I don't think the Grand Captain-General knows what's happening in these small towns and villages. But, you and me, we're going to tell him."
The boy nodded.
"Now, help me hide this miserable piece of crow bait in the back of the barn."