ETAN
They'd rushed out of the castle and into the gardens, Etan in the lead. But as they approached the south-eastern corner, it was as if the air around them became thick, like water. Etan pushed on, but soon couldn't move beyond a tortured, crawling stride.
"What—"
"The witch is here!" Quwan snarled from behind him. He drew forward and bade them all to take hands. "Focus on the Father of Lights—remember his power and his victory!"
Etan struggled to pull his mind away from Ayleth—where was she? What was going on? But as the men around him clenched hands and pushed forward together, he turned his mind to the Father, and to his hope—for himself and Ayleth, and for his people.
Don't let evil win, he prayed. Don't let us fall to this enemy.
Quwan muttered a prayer, and suddenly the pressure on them released, so quickly they all stumbled forward. They caught themselves, then began to run again.
