Her eyes rolled back, and Laira had to catch her to stop her from falling. Gently, she pulled the girl closer to King's Column and propped her up against the pillar. Issari flitted between sleep and wakefulness, mumbling about an unholy host, of her father's cruelty, and of an evil to destroy the world.

Laira sat by her sister, gently letting her sip her medicine, holding her close as she trembled. Finally Issari sat with open eyes, breathing deeply, her hand clutching Laira's. Her cheeks were still pale, and blood still stained her tunic and hair.

When the others stepped closer, Laira waved them back. "Give us room! Let her breathe."

Issari took deep breaths, calming herself. Laira allowed only Jeid to step close. The king knelt before Issari, his eyes somber.

"How far is this demon army?" he said, voice low.

Issari swallowed, squeezed Laira's hand, and spoke softly. "I don't know. I shook them off three days ago in a dark forest. I've been flying since, seeking Requiem. If I found it, they'll find it too. They can pick up any scent; their noses are more powerful than any hound's. I disguised my scent with a bear's pelt, but they'll smell this place." She shivered. "They'll smell us, or they'll see the pillar rising from the forest, and they'll be here soon. Already their scouts scour the land. They will not stop." She trembled. "My father will never stop hunting us. He's fallen to madness."

After a moment of silence, everyone started talking at once.

"We fly and take them head-on!" Dorvin was shouting, a grin splitting his face.

"We should flee and hide!" said Bryn, a young woman with fiery red hair.

One man was trembling. "We're all going to die. Oh stars, we're all going to die."

Voices rose and soon everyone was crying out as one, demanding to flee, fight, or surrender. Jeid was urging calmness, but even the king couldn't silence the voices.

Only Laira and Issari remained silent, sitting under the column. As the others shouted and waved their hands, Laira touched her sister's cheek.

"Do you know who I am, Issari?" whispered. "Do you recognize me?"

Issari stared at her, confused. Her eyes widened and tears streamed down her cheeks. She reached out a shaky finger to touch Laira's hair.

"Are you . . . You're her." Issari gasped and pulled Laira into an embrace. "You're Laira. You're my Laira. You're my sweet sister. Thank Taal."

Even as the others shouted, as fear and rage flowed across their camp, Laira smiled as she cried. She held Issari close and kissed her forehead. "It's me. We're together again."

JEID

 
JEID

For a long time, Jeid stood silently, listening to the others speak, shout, and whisper.