The corridor wasn't empty anymore.
A group of soldiers stood several feet away, their weapons drawn.
There were about a dozen of them, all wearing the grey uniforms of Zahn's personal guards.
Judging by their expressions, they had been waiting outside the chamber for some time.
They must have heard the fighting.
The clash of swords.
The commander's shouting.
And finally, the loud crash of the door being forced open.
Now they were staring at Holden.
At the broken doorway behind him.
At the Eclipse-Sun Sword in his hand.
One soldier swallowed.
"Where's Commander Zahn?"
Holden looked at him.
"Dead."
The corridor went silent.
Several soldiers exchanged uneasy glances.
One of them looked past Holden, trying to see into the chamber.
Another tightened his grip on his spear.
But nobody stepped forward.
Holden glanced at their weapons.
"I'm not here to fight people who've already lost. Put those down."
The soldiers hesitated.
