"STOP!"
The guards yelled again, their swords pointed at Ray, but Ray kept moving, his steps unwavering.
He was just a few feet away from the guards when the woman, named Sergeant Lana, shouted from the back, "Step aside."
Her voice was a sharp command to the guards.
From Ray's confident steps, she was sure that if he was an enemy, then the guards were no match for him.
So instead, she decided to see for herself why someone was at their door.
The commotion had drawn all the 40 stationed guards and all four knights, including Lana, were now facing Ray.
Ray stopped a few feet from the guards; his eyes calm behind the mask. "Is this the Knight stronghold?" he asked, his voice low.
The guards lowered their swords and stepped aside. "Sergeant Lana," they said, bowing respectfully.
Lana walked forward, her eyes sizing up the mysterious man. "Who are you to ask this?" she questioned, her voice firm. "You don't seem local to me."
