My legs felt like mush and I fell down on my knees to the ground. The sword slipped from my grip and clattered to the hard-packed dirt. You are an incompetent leader, Magat’s remarks was burned into my brain like a mark from a hot poker. A hot swelling threatened my eyes, I had to bite down on my tongue to fight it back. “Magat,” I whispered to myself. “I’m sorry.” I shouldn’t have let you go on your own.
Beads of sweat formed across my forehead and back. The realm’s gusts of wind did not do anything to cool my body down. Blood was rising to my cheeks and my heart pounded like a war song. “What shall I tell Lyana and Amias?” I wondered, not realizing I said the words out loud.
“What are you going to tell us?” said a voice.
Startled, I grabbed the sword and rose to my feet. I raised the
