Elaweth, preeminent enchantress of Veth, had never bowed before Afanad hoard. She was a bulwark between her people’s light and their waves of chaos. A role she had been born too, but one she had accepted without hesitation. At least until today. Now she questioned. Late.

Wind. Fire. Water. Closing her eyes, Eowini let her chant wash through her splinter of the ephemeral entities she represented. Calm. Her breath slowed as she centered.

Hallstienn veered as hoodlums dived before him. He could take a hit, but not Cireg. He’d escaped with the Cireg and arrived home mostly unscathed, to have children harry him?

Ryann paused, her hand above one word among lines carved into the cavern’s wall. Every test marked it genuine, but it couldn’t be. Stepping back, she bumped against Marin.

Kyn stumbled up the turret’s last steps. She halted against the crenellations but Lanyth was a distant blur already. He was going back.