"What's the meaning of this?" Ludwig's voice came low, cold, his breath barely disturbing the silence that had begun to thicken around them like fog returning to the shore.
"That thing behind you," one of the paladins growled, stepping forward, his weapon lifted with a trembling steadiness. He pointed at the woman in Ludwig's arms. "Give it up."
Ludwig didn't flinch. His stance remained firm, not shifting an inch even as the holy light from the paladins' weapons began to shimmer brighter, as if reacting to Celine's presence. He adjusted her weight slightly in his grasp, instinctively tightening his arms around her. "I don't think that'll be possible," he said, his voice low and resolute. "And you sure as hell have no business with her."
