The ground beneath Winter Gate rolled like a slow wave, scattering the last smoking hound ash across the trampled snow. A mountain of white fur lowered itself into the pass, blocking the road from one cliff wall to the other.
Toby's arrow shook against the string as he whispered from the wall, "Please tell me that's not the thing that was walking downhill."
"It sat down, Toby, so I think it's tired," Loccy said, peeking out from behind her hammer with a warm bundle hugged to her chest.
Two pink eyes the size of cartwheels opened above the gatehouse, releasing a yawn that rolled across the army. Every bell on the wall rang once by itself, a thin little chime that nobody there wanted to hear.
"Hans, ring the run signal if you like, it won't help," Hajin called, lifting a hand to the old bell-keeper.
Hans lowered the rope with his good hand, "Three tolls is for things I can outrun, boy, this one I'll simply pray at."
