More people were pouring through the gate all the time: soldiers in brown, thin but determined former prisoners holding swords, and even a few women with clubs. They kept coming, and Tiesto gasped when he saw how many prisoners had been freed.

"Well met, Your Highness," a hoarse voice said, panting and wheezing.

Tiesto turned to Rogan as the symbols on the man's armoursilk dimmed with the halting of his song. He saw the hollowed pits under Rogan's eyes, the drawn skin and heaving chest.

"You came at an opportune time," Rogan said.

"As did you." Tiesto gripped Rogan's shoulder.

"You must be Prince Tiesto," a woman's voice said.

A young woman, battered and bruised, with auburn hair that curled at the ends, stood looking at Rogan with concern before turning back to Tiesto.

"I am," Tiesto nodded.

"There is an army outside that needs us," she said.

Tiesto glanced up at the sky. Morning was well underway.

"Marcus?" Tiesto looked around. "Marcus?"

A Halrana soldier came forward. "I'm sorry, Your Grace," the soldier said, shaking his head. "A sword took him in the thigh. Unlucky hit; he bled out. He didn't say a word, just kept fighting until he fell."

Tiesto looked into the distance, and the grief came to him all at once. Surely the soldier must be wrong. He looked at his men, expecting to see Marcus's face among theirs.

Tiesto hadn't even known the young palace guard when Marcus had spirited the Halrana heir out of Ralanast's Rialan Palace. For a long time it was just the two of them, and then a small network of defiant townsfolk, before Rogan came. Marcus had been the rock by Tiesto's side. The prince realised he hadn't even given the man a title. What did you call the soldier who was simply there when you needed him to be? Captain? Marshal? Lord? Friend?

Tiesto felt a hand grip his shoulder. "We need to move on," Rogan said. "He was a good man, and we will mourn him later. Your men in the city need you. Until a plume of green smoke rises from Terra Cathedral, Miro won't attack."

Tiesto nodded.

Rogan called out to the men. "I need fifty men to escort the prisoners who can't fight to safety. They've had a long journey. Spread the word, the prisoners have been freed. I want every Halrana to know it. You hear me?"

"Yes, Marshal." Men leapt in response to Rogan's orders.

"I want these two groups combined, and formed up into order. We're the only sizeable force inside the city, and the army outside is relying on us to open the main gate. When we encounter the Black Army — which we will — and when you take on imperial avengers, hold fast. Do you hear me, men? Hold fast."

"Yes, Blademaster."