The lords will come. They'll take the Builder first, then the rest of us," Kerren hissed.
"Then what do you suggest?" another man whispered. "We can't fight him. Half the village follows him now."
"Then we end it before the wall's finished," Kerren growled. "Quietly. Like the kiln."
Lukas's heart slammed against his ribs. He backed away slowly, careful not to snap a twig.
He needed to tell Adrian. Now.
But before he could move, a hand shot out of the dark and clamped over his mouth.
"Going somewhere, boy?" Kerren's voice rasped in his ear.
Lukas kicked and struggled, but the hunter's grip was iron-strong.
The men dragged him toward the forest. The moonlight disappeared behind the trees, and Lukas's muffled screams faded into the night.