They sent human fodder to ride directly toward them, screaming out their assault and easily picked off by the archers while Zealots on foot snuck in and cut the throats of still-sleeping soldiers.

But they didn’t have the upper hand for long; those on guard duty sent up an alarm as soon as they realized what was going on.

Her mother’s army pushed the Zealots out of their camp and prepared for another assault.

“This is it,” Talwyn said to her brother.

“I know. Is everyone ready?”

“As ready as they’ll ever be. The Sovereign Army is standing by in the west fields. The Lightning Army is lying in wait in what’s left of the forests. We’ve got dragon armies in the mountains. And our legions everywhere else. They’re never getting out of here,” Talwyn said of the trapped Zealots in Salebiri’s enclosure.

“Don’t get cocky, sister. They still have Chramnesind on their side.”

Her brother was right. And so far their multiple gods hadn’t bothered to help them at all.

The pair walked through the camp, while soldiers ran past them and officers called out orders.

They stopped when they saw Morfyd hugging Uncle Brastias good-bye.

She pointed at the twins. “You two . . . don’t be so reckless. Understand?”

Talan and Talwyn nodded as a mystical doorway suddenly opened by their aunt.

“Rhi!” she called out. “Come on!”

The doorway had been opened by Rhiannon, pulling all the witches to her so they could do their part in a place safe from the Zealot priests and priestesses.

Rhi ran out of a nearby tent with her travel bag and robe flopping behind. She was completely frazzled by the attack and worried for the lives of her kin. Talwyn, however, was glad she wouldn’t have to worry about protecting her younger cousin during the fight.

Rhi stopped to hug her father, her uncles, her great-uncles, her great-aunts, etc., while Morfyd waited . . . and waited . . . and waited. When the tears began, Talwyn moved closer to Morfyd.

Rhi stopped to hug Talan, sobbing on his shoulder and making him promise “not to die . . . ever!” before she came to Talwyn and hugged her.

Her cousin didn’t want to let go. She didn’t want to leave them all. But she needed to be someplace safe, away from here. Away from the Zealots. Talwyn knew this even if Rhi didn’t.

Talwyn pushed her away. “Go. Grandmother’s waiting.”

“Yes. Of course. Oh!” She started back toward her tent. “I forgot my—”

Talwyn grabbed her cousin by the back of her dress and tossed her into the open doorway.

“Talwyn!” her kin gasped, shocked. But if she didn’t do it, no one would.

Thank you, Morfyd mouthed at her before she followed Rhi inside and disappeared, the doorway slamming shut behind them.

Her kin watched her, still appalled by her behavior.