It was banned for a reason, as it offered such an unfair advantage, those that wielded it could easily use that power in a way that would get out of hand.

Silvanus had explained, for his part, it didn’t matter.

He’d do what he wished for the Zees felt bound to no realm.

They were sovereign to themselves, each tribe.

Cassius did not give him permission, for Silvanus would not care. He did not attempt to talk him out of it, for Silvanus would not care about that either.

And thus, bright bursts of red or blue could be seen exploding to the left as the Zees’ witches used their magic to freeze militia soldiers so their men could do to them as they wished.

This practice was distasteful to the point of repugnant to Cassius.

But the alternative in the now was him, Elena, and nearly everyone he loved ending that day dead.

Therefore, he’d find a way to live with it.

Eventually the onslaught became too intense and Elena tossed her leg over Diana’s neck, sending her mount careening out of the melee, Cassius knew, so the steed would get to safety.

When she did, Cassius followed suit.

They fought back to back, and he determined, if a miracle happened and they survived that day, he’d encourage her to take up using a shield, for she fought with sword and dagger, whereas he fought with sword and shield.

He did not like her not having a shield when he was not in the position to act as such for her.

He did not like her in battle at all.

But, gods damn, if she wasn’t good at it.

Indeed, they were an exceptional team, as he’d found when they’d beat back the siege.

She had his back and weaker left flank.

He had hers.

In the siege, they’d been unbeatable. Unstoppable.

But they’d had superior numbers in the siege.

That was not the same in the now.

However, in the now, it helped that Serena had set herself up as Elena’s personal guard, and by default, his.

The enemy was coming at them from every quarter, he and Elena easily a focal point, making it clear they were the primary targets.

But Serena refused to be unhorsed, refused to lose her advantage. She brought down trolls with a speed and ease that was astonishing, and between the three of them, the fallen were piling up to the point Cass was slipping on their blood, tripping over their bodies or simply skidding on the mud caused by the rain.

It was when they were eventually overcome, Serena was dragged from her horse, and Elena let out an enraged, agonized shriek, that Cassius knew three things.

The first, he had to engage their final advantage, their last resort.