Selthía;
The moment Avaren's shadows swallow him, my ward gives out.
The golden light I've held over this room for what seems to be hours shatters into nothing. My knees buckle, and I crumble onto a chunk of fallen stones and breathe through my teeth until the floor stops spinning.
Light. How long was I holding that ward?
My hands are shaking. Not a little. They're shaking so bad, my rings are clicking against each other. I press my palms flat against the ground to stop them, and it helps a bit. I look up at my family as I try to catch my breath. Then the quiet cracks.
"Father?"
Zephan's voice calls softly, and I turn my head. My heart sinks all the way to my stomach at the sight.
Wilhelm hasn't moved from the wall. His back is flat against the stone, one hand wrapped around his torso, and his chest is rising and falling in short, ugly pulls. His face is the colour of old ash. He's weak. Whatever they did to eradicate the sect is taking its toll on him.
