Kingdom of Ash

Aedion said, his voice hollow in his ears. Her
fear whetted something sharp and dangerous
in him, but he refrained from reaching for her.
“There is nothing you or we can do.”
A few dozen of the Ironteeth had sacked
Rifthold in a matter of hours.
This host ...
Aedion focused on his breathing, on
keeping his head high as soldiers began to
step away from their positions along the
walls.
Unacceptable.
“STAY WHERE YOU ARE,” he bellowed.
“HOLD THE LINE, AND DO NOT BALK.”
The roared command halted those who’d
looked prone to bolt, at least. But it didn’t
stop the shaking swords, the stench of their
rising fear.
Aedion turned to Lysandra and Ren. “Get
Rolfe’s firelances up on the higher towers and