Neera ran the fastest she had ever run in her life. She was barely aware of Azriel limping his way over to Zavian from another end of the field, and Freya screaming, a helpless hand stretched out to her brother.
She ran through smoke, over bodies, her heart thumping, the wind carrying her, her lips housing a plea that sat on her tongue.
Zavian couldn't die, Aloysius couldn't win.
She saw the plaque sword Aloysius had kicked over, saw her weak Zavian, and the dagger raised to stab him right at his heart.
She jumped for the sword and rolled over to Zavian just as Aloysius's dagger shot down at Zavian.
….
Zavian tried to fight back.
He tried, but even he knew his end had come.
