THE COLLAPSING KING The ringing in my ears wouldn't stop. It was a high, thin sound that cut through the screams of men and the clashing of steel.

"Keep the line!" I shouted, but my voice felt like it belonged to someone else. It was thin and raspy. "Don't let them break the center!"

My sword felt heavy. Heavier than it had this morning. Every time I swung it, a sharp pain shot up my side, right where the spear had glanced off my armor an hour ago. I thought I was fine. I told myself I was ...