Its growl stopped in its throat, the man beneath its paw gasping and writhing as he tried to escape. I didn’t have time to help him up. I felt for the shard I needed, pulled it free and carved the modification. I thrust it back into the beast. Thrana yelped. I pivoted to find a pale, hairy beast sinking claws into her back. It opened its slathering maw to bite her neck. I clenched my jaw and felt grit between my teeth. I grabbed one of the construct’s legs, pulled to boost myself up high enough and thrust a hand into its chest. It froze as I felt around inside it and dropped back to the ground with one of its shards in my fingertips.

Thrana screamed out a warning. Something slammed into my back before I could turn. A sharp and musky scent flooded my nostrils. Gravel dug into my palms and knees. Its weight pressed me into the earth. I could hear it growling and I reached desperately for the thrumming in my bones – knowing that revealing myself would mean my doom.

The weight suddenly lifted.

Phalue stood over me, pulling her sword free from the beast’s back. She gave me a hand up. Beyond the line of soldiers, war constructs were fighting war constructs. “I see what you’re doing,” Phalue said, “and it’s working.”

Thrana crowded at my back, making sure no one else could attack me from that angle. My palms stung; I could barely catch my breath. Too narrow an escape.

Phalue nodded at the engraving tool. “Is that the only weapon you know how to use? Not a lot of range with that. Really should bring a sword into battle, Eminence.”

The only defense I had right now was Thrana. “You’ll teach me when this is through,” I blurted out.

The woman laughed. “If we both live, yes. Why not?” She pivoted, sword in hand, looking for the next fight. “Again, it doesn’t mean I support you.”

With shaking hands, I seized the fur at Thrana’s neck. She ducked her shoulders a little, allowing me easier access to her back. Only the back of my head still felt dry; the rest of me was wet, muddy and bloodied. I could worry about a warm bath later. My bones thrummed, the water a living presence around me. I still had more to give. My stomach tightened at the thought.

Not unless I had to. Not unless I had no other choice.