The fortress still breathed smoke. The walls that had once been black stone now wept red. Even though the storm had passed hours earlier, Elaria could still feel the thunder pounding in her veins.

She was standing barefoot on the chilly floor, gazing through a lightning-cracked window. Ash, broken banners, and dead borne by the rain covered the battlefield outside, which stretched like a wound. The air still smelled strongly of burnt magic and iron. The only sound in the room behind her was ...