Smoke rose from the end of the scrill as she worked, and soon blue lines appeared where she had drawn. Ella worked quickly, yet at the same time she knew that Killian's life would depend on what she was doing. Who knew what he would find when he reached the Sentinel?

"I'm going to go for help," Ella said when she was nearly finished. "I've given you strength and shadow, but it's not perfect invisibility, and you have very little protection. Be careful, Killian, please."

"Who will you go to for help?" Killian asked.

"The desert men. I know their leader, Prince Ilathor. He'll believe me, and he'll come."

"Good luck," Killian said.

Ella opened her mouth, and then closed it again. She felt a burning sensation behind her eyes. Suddenly she had a terrible premonition, a deep dread within telling her she would never see him again. "Good luck," she finally said.

Without another word Killian turned, ran, and dove into the freezing water of Seranthia's harbour.

58

58

BARTOLO spotted Jehral nearby and nudged his horse forward, Shani close behind him. "Where is the prince?" Bartolo asked the weary-looking desert warrior.

Jehral pointed to a hill close to the rise they'd fallen back to, where the prince's personal banner flew high. "He's with the tarn leaders."

Around them hundreds of riders waited impatiently, while many thousands more waited on the other hills for the order to attack once more.

"This isn't a victory," Bartolo said. "I hope he realises that. They've retreated behind the walls to regroup. Who knows how many of them there are behind there?"

"The prince is conferring with his commanders," Jehral said. "They will make the right decision."

"And why aren't you with them?" Shani asked.

"Because I have been asked to lead the vanguard," Jehral said, somewhat stiffly. "It is a great honour. The prince must make decisions, but I have been entrusted to lead us into the city."

"Or die trying," Bartolo muttered.

"Don't feel like you need to stay with me, bladesinger," Jehral said. "Your skills are impressive, but we will take this city, with or without you."

"Jehral, we aren't going anywhere," Shani said. She turned to Bartolo. "What do you think they're saying?"

"The ladders are coming forwards," Bartolo said. "I don't need to tell you what that means."

"The prince plans to attack again today?" Shani asked. "But we've lost so many men."

"The enemy have lost as many," Jehral said.

"You're right," Bartolo said, "but attrition isn't how you win wars. Lord of the Sky, I miss Miro."

"That's the signal," Jehral said. "We're to advance. The ladders will follow."

Bartolo and Shani exchanged glances as Jehral kicked his horse forward.

"Bartolo," Shani said. "I… I want to thank you."

"For what?"

"For helping me find hope again. Even if it ends here, I didn't realise how dead I was inside until I met you."

"Don't worry, Shani, we'll make it."

"How can you be so sure?"