Chapter Twenty-OneIt seemed that the rising had failed. Everywhere Melcorka looked, the allied tribes had been beaten back and were fighting a desperate rearguard action, or had been captured and now sat in sullen groups under the spears of the Citadel or Wall Guard. The Dhegian warriors were in the ascendancy, shouting in triumph. She could not see Chaytan or Chumani. Exactly how long had she been in the palace? Melcorka glanced at the sky; a glorious dawn was spreading red across the eastern horizon. She had been away for a few hours and in that time, her rebellion had clearly failed.
Donning the headband of Eyota, Melcorka raised a shout. 'I am Eyota! Follow me!'
With Defender in her hand and the Norse at her back, she led a mad charge into the closest band of Dhegian warriors. Ordina
