I smashed onto the pavement, vision paralyzed by pain. A concussive wave spread outward from the crater, knocking down wardcasters and scouts alike. Light cracked and banged against the walls of obsidian, ward-shards shattered and fell like broken glass; The summit shuddered as if it was a live wouned beast.
I sank into darkness.
And I woke up to voices — intense, frantic ones and edged with fear. My limbs were of lead, nay, there was iron in. The world was a dull blur of grey and silver, the broken peak like a circle of spirits around me.
"Lila!" Kael's voice was rough as he took my hand in his. I jerked awake, vision flooding.
He came and knelt beside me, the sword set aside in his hand, a rent cloak about him. Where there had been brightness and strength, was fear in the old ape's eyes now. "Thank the moons you lived."
I felt my wrist: the triple crescents throbbed, silver and intact. The circle that could not be broken had swung closed.
"What happened?" I rasped.
