The smell of smoke and terror filled the night.

The smell persisted on the walls, the tents, and even the air we breathed until the last fire was extinguished. I understood the scoundrels' talk of curses and evil omens. This was not destiny. It served as a caution.

I was looking toward the torches that had just appeared as I stood by the east gate. Even though they had moved on and were now in the dark, they still remembered the emotion. That tug at the base of my neck was electric. the ...