A rough hand woke me.
“Laurel, get up.” Ulf handed me my gown and boots. “Dress. Be quick.”
I obeyed, sparing only a glance at Ulf. As usual, I couldn’t read his expression.
The air was cool and dry, a hint of foulness in the breeze. But above our heads, grey clouds boiled in the sky. In the distance, birds cawed along with a noise like a great many rushing wings.
“Do you hear that?” Ulf asked.
“Yes,” Haakon answered.
“The Corpse King’s found us. The Grey Men are coming.”
“We knew it would come to this,” Haakon said quietly.
Ulf jerked a nod. In a swift movement, he rose and lifted his axe.
"What?" I flew up in terror. But Ulf only let the axe bite the ground near Haakon, who took it up.
"Don’t worry, Laurel. They will not easily kill me." His eyes flashed.
"What? No," I scrambl
