Gio. The leader of the Shardless Few. And all the Shardless Few he could bring, by the looks of it. I’d heard he was gathering an army on Khalute, but hadn’t expected it here, now.

Just my luck.

Constructs and humans alike turned to this new threat, unsure of whose side they were on. A war construct broke the tension, rushing at Gio. The man merely lifted a hand and the beast was swept off its feet.

Though my body was drenched, my mouth went dry. I’d never believed the rumors – that Gio had taken Khalute single-handedly. But what power was this? A breeze brushed my cheek and I remembered the tales of the Alanga. Mostly they focused on the Alanga’s ability to control water, though there were a few that mentioned their ability to work the winds.

But I’d never heard of Gio having an ossalen.

Ragan had turned fully from me to face this new threat. “You have two choices,” he shouted. “Swear your fealty to me or be destroyed.”

Gio’s mouth tightened. “Boy,” he said, and I’d never heard the word infused with such contempt, “I don’t have time for you.”

Ragan created a wall of water between him and Gio, his lips pressed in concentration. “You have one more chance.”

Gio merely lifted an eyebrow. He flicked a finger.

The wall of water shattered into droplets.

I’d never seen anyone look so lost. Ragan reached after the droplets as though he could physically pull them together with his hands. “How…?”

“Move,” Gio barked.

Ragan bared his teeth; he lifted a foot.

Gio waved his hand.

This time, through the gray dawn light, I could see the distortion of the falling rain as the wind whipped toward both me and Ragan. I didn’t have time to dodge and I didn’t know how to stop such an attack. Ragan threw his hands up and then we were both tossed into the brush on the side of the plateau, tumbling down past bodies and slick grass. I gained my feet before he did. He’d lost his sword somewhere in the fall. “Thrana!” I called out. She emerged from a bush, unhurt. I threw an arm around her neck, steadying myself.

Ragan took a moment to look for his ossalen and I stamped the ground, desperation making my chest tight. The sea serpent was still up there, ravaging the palace, killing citizens who didn’t know how to fight.