They foamed out of their tents, grabbing for weapons. Then set to screaming as Han’s nasty charms took effect. Some were blinded. Others broke out in pustules and boils. Some went mad, cringing away from hallucinated monsters.

They carried no talismans—they had no access to them—and so were unprepared for magical attack. The Ardenines had likely concluded that there were no gifted in the city of Fellsmarch, as they’d seen no evidence of them since Micah’s departure.

Bird and Shilo climbed onto the roof of the guard barracks next to the parade ground. From there, they made good use of their longbows, picking off Ardenine soldiers as they stumbled, panic-stricken, around the encampment. And their officers, who tumbled out of the homes they’d commandeered outside of the close. Han hadn’t treated those doorways—he didn’t want to harm any innocents who might be inside.

He did his part, making judicious use of magic to help with the slaughter, though by this point he didn’t have much flash left on board.

Now he heard the sounds of fighting in the surrounding streets. The undersides of the thunderclouds were lit by wizard flame. The Fellsian forces had arrived and were battling mercenaries in the outskirts of town. The remains of the Ardenine Army seemed more interested in escape than anything else.

“Hunts Alone!” Han turned to find that Dancer had materialized at his side. “I came as soon as I could, but it looks like you don’t need help here. The fighting is fierce elsewhere in the city. Were you able to get the queen to safety? Have you seen Cat?”

Han shook his head. “We don’t know where they are.” Something caught his attention, distracting him. At the southern edge of the parade field he saw them—gray shadows with brilliant eyes. As he focused on them, they lifted their muzzles and set up a bloodcurdling howl.

Raisa’s in danger, Han thought, his heart hammering.

“Are you listening to me?” Dancer said, touching Han’s arm. “What’s wrong?”

“I’ve got to find the queen. Now,” Han said. “She’s in trouble.”

“How do you know?” Micah asked, at Han’s elbow. Where had he come from?

Bird and Shilo had drifted over as well, to get the news from Dancer.

Han shook his head. “Take my word for it, all right? Let’s split up. We’re just going to have to try and search the city. She must be out here somewhere.” Even as he said it, he was nearly overcome by despair. How could they hope to find her in the chaos surrounding them?

“Wait,” Dancer said, holding up his hand. “There’s a better way.” He pressed something into Han’s hand, a small, hard object wrapped in chamois. “You can find her, Hunts Alone. If she’s wearing your ring, that is.”