the gaping wound in the zombie’s left leg…closed.

The putrid flesh rippled and grew and closed the wound. Just like that. Like…magic. Like a healing potion.

The Humans stared in shock at the sight for a moment. Then they saw something.

The foot rose. Higher and higher. Lantal turned.

“R—”

Thump.

Someone pushed Lantal out of the way. The [Lord] stumbled, falling, and then felt the earth-shattering impact that made his very bones vibrate. He looked back, but saw only the huge leg, feet from him. But he had seen.

“Meltain? Meltain?”

His friend was gone. As if he had never been. As the giant foot rose—Lantal looked away. He stared up and heard that mocking laughter again.

“Run.”

The [Lord] whispered. Then he screamed it. His people fled. Lantal ran. But the giant was following him.

“[Deathbolt]. Take the Lord of Afiele. He is your quarry! All of House Afiele dies!”

The [Necromancer] howled to his minions. Ghouls leapt from building to building, pursuing Lantal. The giant swung a hand low, sweeping across the street. Lantal leapt and climbed onto a roof. The house collapsed as the blow struck it, throwing Lantal clear.

He lay on the ground. Stunned, despairing. He heard horns to the north.

——

“To the gates! With me!”

Duchess Grishen shouted. She had seen the ambush fail. She looked towards Princess Seraphel. The

[Princess] had been placed in the carriage she had arrived in by her Thronebearers. Now, they had formed up in tight formation around her.

The citizens of Afiele were in a vast crowd, ready to flee on foot or in wagons. The gates opened, and the first [Riders] plunged into the horde as those who had volunteered to hold the walls and provide covering fire loosed arrows downwards. Grishen, herself mounted, aimed her mace ahead.

“Fight clear of the city! Go! G—”

She felt the impacts before she saw the giant. It was—coming at them. The [Necromancer] was making it run, however slowly.

“You worthless sack of crap.”

The Duchess whispered. The [Necromancer] was laughing again. He was going to cut them off. Just—

trample the people pressed against the gates.

“Move! Attack! Don’t stop! Get clear of the city and run!”

Grishen plunged into the horde ahead, swinging her mace. But the giant was coming. The

[Necromancer] ignored Lord Lantal screaming and trying to attack his creation’s legs. He was aiming at the carriage where Lady Seraphel was riding.

Lady Risel, Culin, and Sasi were riding with the [Princess], across from her as she sat with her two handmaidens. They stared at her, white-faced.

“Have courage. My Thronebearers will see us to safety or die trying.”

The [Princess] tried to smile at them. Her hands were trembling in her dress. Risel nodded and hugged her children tighter. They could feel her shaking.

“[Necromancer]!”