Lena and Jake moved low, keeping to the shadows that pooled against the outer wall. There was a small guarded side entrance on the northern side of the city, one of the many, in truth, but it was also the one with the sloppiest guards around, or so it seemed.
The guards were slouched and distracted, their attention on something far more interesting than their duty. One gestured broadly.
"The Church will cleanse it all," he said, conviction thick in his tone. "We'll see the world reborn."
The other nodded eagerly. "The Archdeacon says the faithful will inherit paradise."
"Paradise," the first said like a prayer. "Can you imagine it? No more sickness. No more hunger, and that's all thanks to the church, thanks to mana."
