Book 4: On the Sidelines

Xander

“Flank left, flank left!”

“They’re coming in from all sides!”

“Goddess above, where are they coming from!”

“Flank right, you ridiculous—”

I wince and try to drown out the noise of mind-links flying back and forth. It’s hard to say how long ago the alarm went up now, but I know I’ve been standing on the nearest balcony ever since, staring at the distant dunes over which I know the battle is happening. Dun’s Crossing fights alongside us, but I cannot quite tell how many Moonlight Hollow has. Orders soar through my mind, but more than that, I can hear their screams. They’re so loud I cannot quite tell whether they’re in my mind or truly echoing through the evening air.

An attack on Tansy Tower—or nearly, though technically it is our closest outpost that has been hit. The news of Drumtemple surprised me; that Moonlight Hollow was able to penetrate so deeply through our borders and that they would risk such a maneuver feels almo