The rim road into Dead Crown Basin took less than a hundred paces before it tried to kill them.
Crown-wraith cavalry poured into the dark terrace lines in a hard pale surge, their bone-bridled mounts shrieking with old coronation noise. Their riders wore split regalia and death-polished helms, lances tipped with verdict-iron. The first ranks struck into the war-bond company at full tilt and turned the descent to a running slaughter.
"Down! Do not hold the rim!" Athena shouted.
