their backs there was no chance of resisting them. On Scithrowl’s distant border with the Kingdom of Ald it was said that Adoma’s Fist had struck down great castles and laid waste to armies. They had never been seen within the empire though. Not by any that lived to tell of it. The hope that they would remain in the east, occupied with the war against Ald had always been a vain one, but now as it shattered Nona realized how hard she and many others had clung to it.
‘Well, it’s too late to save the wall now.’ Sister Pan released Nona’s arm and shuffled out to intercept the Academics.
Nona followed to ensure no stray arrows found the old woman since she seemed wholly oblivious to the threat.
‘Mistress Path.’ Rexxus Degon favoured Sister Pan with a low bow. ‘If you will excuse us. Duty calls. I’m sure you will have sensed the presence of our enemy beyond the walls.’ Even as he spoke Nona sensed it too. Vibrations rippling out through the thread-scape. Trembling in the spiderweb. Footsteps were being taken along the Path. Many footsteps, as if an army were marching along it.
Sister Pan made no move to get out of the old man’s way.
‘We really must hurry.’ He looked far from enthusiastic about the prospect. Nona wasn’t sure how much the man saw with those blind eyes of his, but it was clearly enough to know that he would much rather be somewhere else. ‘Duty calls …’
‘Duty …’ Sister Pan held her hand out, palm up, and a charred flake settled into it from the air. Others were descending all around like a black rain, some still glowing. ‘It’s too late to save the wall.’ The black flake became lost against the darkness of her palm.
‘We’ll save it!’ Rexxus leaned on his staff, his voice lowering. ‘Or die trying.’
‘I remember you as a little boy, Rexxus.’ Pan shook her head. ‘You had the bluest eyes. And your nose was always running. You should stay here with your friends.’
Rexxus bowed his head. ‘I wish I could, Mistress Path. Even so, the strength of the Empire is not wholly spent. My fellow mages and I may not have reputations for murder and carnage, but Adoma’s creatures will find that we know a few tricks of our own. If we must sell our lives the price will be a dear one, and far fewer of our enemy than they expect will live to see what they have purchased. Now, if you will excuse me, dear lady.’ He raised his staff and turned to those gathered behind him. ‘Onwards!’
‘Wait here. I’ll deal with this.’ Sister Pan began to walk towards the city wall. Above it black clouds swirled, shot through with streaks of fire. The defenders cowered now, crouched behind their battlements.
‘Nonsense!’ Rexxus hurried to overtake Sister Pan. The Academics followed him, the Mystic Brothers too. Only the pair of Holy Witches kept their place.
‘Wait here.’
Sister Pan never moved her fingers when thread-working. She said it was a habit you grew out of. Like moving your lips when reading. Even so, Nona saw the moment when she pulled the Chief Academic’s thread.
‘Yes!’ Rexxus turned to his followers with new conviction. ‘We should wait here!’ He announced it as if it had been his plan all along. Around his neck the mendant sigil that should have kept him from such manipulation, even if his mind did not, glittered impotently.
Sister Pan carried on towards the wall, her stride longer and more sure than Nona had seen it in her ten years at the convent. The sinking sun threw the ancient woman’s shadow before her and in the dying crimson of its light she seemed no longer old.
‘Sister!’ Nona caught up with Pan, keeping her gaze on the wall, alert for arrows. ‘I have to take you back. It’s not safe.’ She reached for the ancient’s arm, prepared to carry her if need be.
‘Stay. It will be all right, child.’ Pan walked on.
‘Yes, it will.’ Nona suddenly understood that Pan going to the wall alone was a fine idea. She wondered why she hadn’t seen it before. She stood there, puzzling. A moment later Nona decided that the plan had a small flaw. She would go with Pan, even though she had been told to stay. Then it would be all right.
Pan registered Nona’s return with a raised eyebrow, then a shrug. She gestured towards the stonework rising before them. ‘Can you see where the