The attack began before sunrise. The western gate opened from within and enemy soldiers poured through under the banners of the Carrion Spire (the new city being forged), expecting supporters to meet them.
Solaris met them instead.
She dropped from the wall in a storm of gold feathers.
The first wingbeat threw men from their horses. The second ignited every weapon in the invading ranks. Spears burned inside their owners' hands. Armor caught fire without heating the flesh beneath, then collapsed into ash around screaming soldiers.
Solaris landed before the gate.
Her father stood beyond it.
Malrec wore ceremonial armor and held a sword forged with one of the Phoenix's stolen talon fragments.
"You cannot defeat all of them," he said.
Solaris looked at the weapon, feeling the talon trembling inside the blade.
