Return (1)

Ashwing launched into the air, wings stretching wide.

His scales shimmered gold-black.

Lindarion raised his voice. "Jaren!"

The man turned as more stone shattered behind him.

Lindarion pointed.

"The rune is inside the foundation."

"Can we stop it?"

"Not unless we rip out half the building!"

Jaren looked at the front tower. At the guards. At the scattering nobles.

Then back at Lindarion.

"You came here to give us a warning," he said.

"And now I'm telling you," Lindarion answered, "you don't have time to vote on it."

Because whatever was under their feet?

It wasn't dormant anymore.

—

The screaming started low.

Not in the palace.

In the city.

From the southern slope, just past the market terraces.

It wasn't panic at first. Not fully.

Just shouts. Confusion. Clattering boots. A few steel-on-steel impacts that didn't make sense coming from the trade quarter.