"You'll die for no reason!"
Caelan's cry sent me sprinting through the trees, but I kept going. The ghost made my legs move so fast I felt like I was flying. My blood surged with focus, blocking out fear, agony, and doubt. I knew my destination was the castle. Rowan is the aim.
The sounds split as the struggle got louder and clearer. Frostfang war drums' deep "thump" was accompanied by Blackclaw horns' higher, sharper blasts, steel on steel clanging, and people's primal screaming.
Down the castle's southern slope, I ran out of trees. Chaos abounded. There were conflicts at the main gates. Frostfang fighters in gray furs attacked Blackclaw guards on the walls and gates of the killing field. Arrows went both ways. Fire smoke filled the air.
I had to climb that hill and cross that causewa
