Chapter 12 - Golden Kingdom

My instinct was to scream, but I’d long ago learned to control my instincts. I glanced to my left, hoping to go around the creature, but trees blocked my way. I didn’t have enough space to go around on the right. Instead, I raised my skullcrusher and brought it down as I skidded into the Hollow. The sharp point of my weapon hit what had once been a woman in the shoulder. I cursed at my poor aim, but with the constraints of the woods about me, I hadn’t had much room to maneuver.

The Hollow roared at me and moved forward, pushing me back as I was still holding the handle of the embedded skullcrusher. I was acutely aware that more Hollows were coming up behind me. I yanked back on my skullcrusher, trying to dislodge it and deliver a killing blow, but the spike was caught fast under bone or sinew. The Hollow hissed and opened and closed its mouth, trying to bite at me. I could hear the branches behind me snapping and knew I had another fifteen seconds at most until the monsters behind me caught up.

“Mara!” Taio called, his voice sounding panicked. It was as bad as I thought then.

“I have this!” I yelled. “Go!” I brought my foot up, planted it in the Hollow’s belly, and pushed with a vicious thrust. At the same time, I jerked on my skullcrusher and freed it. Unfortunately, the momentum sent me flying backward so I landed flat on my back. I barely felt the ground slam into me. I arced up again and raised my skullcrusher. I had a moment to bemoan the close quarters of the woods. I much preferred an open area, but I made the most of my limited space by waiting until the woman Hollow was close enough that I could bring the spike up from below and slam it through her jaw and into her head.

The Hollow slumped, and I heaved my skullcrusher free. I didn’t think I had killed it, but I’d injured it enough that it wouldn’t be able to come after me. I stumbled away, chancing a quick look over my shoulder in time to see two Hollows, the young man dressed in traditional garb and the one who looked like Kintle, coming upon the woman I’d disabled.

“Hellfire,” I mumbled to myself. They were close. I started for the egress to the wooded area again, ducking and ramming through the thick foliage as the Hollows pursued me relentlessly. I couldn’t seem to shake them. One false move, one misstep, and they’d have me. I tripped over a log and staggered forward, catching myself just in time. Was it my imagination or had the woods thinned slightly?

The log took out one of the Hollows behind me. He went down, but he’d be up again in moments. The carrot-haired one avoided the log and was within reach, grabbing for me and swiping my pack. I could release it, but I’d wait to see if he got a firm hold. I didn’t want to lose my supplies unless there was no other option.

The trees were noticeably thinner, and I put on a burst of speed, my lungs burning, and darted out of the woods. A few yards away and to the south, Taio led his three Hollows toward the ascent to the highlands. The carrot-haired Hollow grunted wetly as it emerged from the woods. One of Taio’s Hollows, hearing my Hollows’s call, turned and started back for me. Now I was in real trouble. If I ran for the hill, Taio’s Hollow would intercept me. The time it took to fight him would allow the carrot-haired one and the other I was sure was not far behind to catch up to me.

I heard Taio yelling in the distance. He was trying to keep the attention of the woman Hollow coming for me. But that one didn’t turn back. She arrowed straight for me. “Traps be damned,” I muttered and took two steps back, raising my skullcrusher. The carrot-haired Hollow came for me, and I waited until it was within striking range, then brought my skullcrusher down on the top of its head. The thing went down, black ooze leaking from its skull and turning the carrot-colored hair dark. It crumpled to the ground, and I took a shaky breath at the sight. The thing looked so much like Kintle from this angle.

Then the other male Hollow stumbled out of the woods, raising its hand to block out the light. I checked the progress of the woman. She was quick and would be on me in another minute. Usually, I waited for the Hollows to come to me, but if I did that now, the woman would reach me and I’d be fighting two. Instead, I walked to the male Hollow, kicked it in the chest, and when it went down, I lowered the spike of my skullcrusher into its eye. Trying not to look too closely at the damage, I stepped back to avoid being splattered by any liquid and pulled my skullcrusher free. I wiped it on the grass, leaving a trail of flesh and black ooze, then turned to the woman. Her arms were outstretched, which meant I couldn’t wait for her to come to me. I danced away, trying to get behind her, but she swung around. It occurred to me that I might be able to outrun her and start up the hillside, but I could barely catch my breath. I didn’t trust my ability to climb quickly up the hill, and if I was to fight her, I’d rather do it here.

I darted behind her again, kicking her in the flank before she could round on me. She stumbled, and I kicked her again, sending her sprawling. I stepped forward, put my boot on her back, and slammed my skullcrusher down. This time I used the blunt end, stoving in the back of her skull. She jerked and went still, and I kicked her aside and lowered my weapon to clean it again.

Sweat dripped from my forehead into my eyes, but I didn’t dare wipe my face with my sleeve in case there was any matter from the Hollows I’d killed on the fabric. Instead, I looked toward Taio. He was a little ahead of his two Hollows—a man and a woman—and stood watching me. I gave him a little wave, and he waved back. Then he turned and continued up the rise, still leading his Hollows. I took a moment to catch my breath, took my canteen out of my pack and drank the last of my water before starting up the hill. I was a few yards away from Taio and his Hollows, and unfortunately this section of hillside was steeper. But I didn’t want to move to the easier rise as it would put me closer to Taio’s Hollows.

I began to climb, feeling my muscles protest. Now I felt that fall on the wooded floor from earlier. But I could rest back at camp. With all the noise we’d made, we might have caught the attention of other Hollows. I had to get as high as I could as fast as I could.

“Ho! Over here!” Taio called. I grabbed onto a rock, hoisted myself up, and glanced at him. The reason for his call was quickly apparent. One of his Hollows, the woman, had broken off and was headed toward me. Even worse, below us, I spotted something moving in the tree line. It had to be another Hollow or a group of them, and they’d be out in a matter of moments and would start up the hillside.

“Go!” I called to Taio. “I’ll take this one.” But my voice died on the last word. I was out of breath. I searched frantically for a level area where I could swing at the woman Hollow without losing my balance. Then it occurred to me that I could just shove her down the hillside if I was able to get above her. Unfortunately, she had a pretty good lead on me, and even as I climbed frantically, she came closer and closer from the south. By the time I realized I’d never get above her, I was panting and my feet were slipping on the loose earth. She was stumbling too, but she had the scent of flesh in her nostrils, and she’d stop at nothing now to feed her hunger. I made one last effort to find a level spot then stood my ground, waiting for her to get close enough for me to take a swing. She was coming from above me, which meant she had gravity and momentum on her side. As she neared, I knew exactly what she would do. She’d dive for me, sending us both toppling and rolling down the side of the hill. I’d be fortunate to hold on to my skullcrusher if she did that and even more fortunate not to get bitten.

Just as I expected, she extended her arms and lunged at me. At the same time, I pressed back against the hillside and reached an arm out. As she hit me, I pushed her away, sending her rolling down. She didn’t roll far, though. She landed just a yard or so below me and was immediately up and coming for me. I began to climb, pulling up with my hands, and feeling her fingers clutch at my boots as I scrambled ahead of her. I had no time to cut horizontally so the climb was easier. I was scurrying upward for my life. Dirt dislodged from my hands fell into my eyes, and my fingernail snapped, causing searing pain. But I didn’t stop. I heaved myself up, not even daring to pause to see how much further I had to go.

The Hollow was right behind me. Her hands clutched at my ankle, and I shook her off before managing to kick her in the forehead. She tumbled down, and I caught my breath and tried to move faster. I reached upward, seized a root protruding from the earth and used it to haul myself up. But just as I reached for the section of earth above me, the root came loose, and I felt myself falling. I closed my eyes as my body angled backward.

Please let me fall over her and not on her, I thought.

I felt the nothingness behind me and squeezed my eyes closed as I began to fall. Only to be snatched back as something grabbed my coat and yanked me forward. I gasped, opened my eyes, and stared into Taio’s blue-green eyes. He knelt on the ground above me and had my coat by the shoulders. “Grab onto my arms,” he said.

I grabbed on, my hands like claws around his biceps. Behind me I heard the hissing of the Hollow as she neared. Taio’s muscles strained and he grunted as he pulled me to the top of the hillside. I rolled away, trying to catch my breath, as he waited for the woman Hollow to climb nearer. I heard the crunch of her head just after he swung his hammer. Then he was on his knees beside me.

“The other one,” I gasped, pointing weakly in the direction of the Hollow he’d been leading toward the traps.

“I had to kill it,” he said.

I closed my eyes. All of that for nothing. We’d had to kill every Hollow we’d hoped to lead to the traps. Taio brushed my hair off my forehead. I sniffed and opened my eyes again, embarrassed at being so close to tears.

“I have never seen anything like that,” he said.

“Like what?”

“Like you. I call you mi guerrira. I see how true that moniker really is.”

“I’ve never had to fight like that before,” I said. “I’d rather not do it again.”

Taio peered over the edge of the hillside. “More coming.”

“Gods save me,” I moaned. Taio offered his hand, and I took it and allowed him to help me to my feet. I walked to the edge of the hillside and counted four Hollows stumbling out of the forest. I glanced at the sky and estimated how long until dark.

“Dusk by the time we lead them to the traps,” Taio said, answering my unvoiced question.

“I don’t like it,” I said. By the time we had them trapped or killed, full dark would have fallen. Then we’d have to find somewhere to camp and hope the noise of trapping these Hollows didn’t attract others. The other alternative was to wait for these Hollows to climb the hillside, kill them at the top, then do it all again tomorrow.

“Find your breath while we wait,” Taio said.

“I think you mean catch your breath.”

He gave me a narrow look. “Why would you want to catch your breath?”

“It’s just how we say it.” I pointed below. The Hollows had spotted us above them and were pushing past one another to reach the hillside. “What’s the plan, Taio of the First House?”

“That is your decision.”

“I knew you would say that.” I put my hands on my hips and rolled my shoulders. Taio wanted to lead the Hollows to the traps. He was relentless and determined, and the last thing he wanted was to start all over tomorrow. I felt the same, but I was also exhausted. I just wanted to go back, make camp, wash off, and sleep. Taio left the decision to me because he wasn’t sure how hard to push me. Two days ago, I’d been pulled into a freezing river, dragged under, and almost killed. Yesterday, after only a few hours sleep and still recovering from almost freezing to death, I’d walked miles and miles and then kept watch half the night—well, I’d kept watch several hours and then was up with him for a couple more. Today I’d fought for my life and had to kill at least four—or was it five?—Hollows on my own.

“I’d rather not come back here tomorrow and do this again,” I said.

“It is still a half a mile or more back to the traps,” he said. “You have the strength?”

“I’m not even a little tired,” I lied.

He gave me a dubious look then glanced back at the Hollows, who had begun to climb. “Three males and one female,” he said.

“We kill one male and lead the others to the traps,” I said. “The cure might affect males and females differently.” I doubted that, but it would be good to test it. “Those two males”—I pointed at the Hollows in the lead—“are younger than that male.”

Taio made a grunt of affirmation.

“We kill one of the young ones so we have a range of ages too.”

“I will kill the one who reaches the top first,” Taio said.

I put a hand on his forearm. “You don’t have to. I know you don’t like killing them.”

“I would prefer not to kill anything, but that is not my mission.” He stared down at the advancing Hollows, his expression resolute. I squeezed his arm.

“Your mission is to save the world,” I said. “That one must die to save others.” At least I hoped we would be able to save the others. I wasn’t at all confident the young male Hollow dressed in tattered Zulenii clothing climbing eagerly toward us wouldn’t die in vain. I shook my head. All the time I’d spent around Zuleniis had warped my brain. Those Hollows were already dead. They weren’t even human. I was doing them a mercy by killing them.

I estimated we had about fifteen more minutes before the first one was within range of Taio’s hammer. Once he killed that one, we could start back toward the traps and hopefully get a little ahead of the Hollows we wanted to follow us. Taio and I waited in silence, and I shivered as the wind cut through my layers of clothing. When we’d been moving, the day hadn’t seemed so cold. Now that we stood still, I felt the chill. I walked about, trying to keep warm and keep my muscles limber. Finally, Taio said, “Get ready.”

I pulled my skullcrusher out of my weapon belt, in case Taio needed help. But he swung his hammer down just as the Hollow’s wet hisses grew louder. I heard a thud and the sound of something rolling down the hill. Taio didn’t even take time to wipe off his hammer. “Run,” he said.

We began to jog, peering over our shoulders to watch as, one by one, the other Hollows reached the summit of the hill. First the young male, then the female, then the older male. We had a good lead on them, but I would have preferred to eliminate the threat rather than allow it to chase me. I forced myself to act against instinct and kept pace with Taio. He ran at a speed fast enough to keep safely ahead of the monsters chasing us, but not so fast they weren’t motivated to continue following us.

Just as my side began to burn from a cramp I’d have to ignore, a new figure came around a rise and ran toward us. Even if I hadn’t noted his gait was smooth and not lumbering like a Hollow’s, I would have recognized that carrot-colored hair anywhere. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Taio’s step falter.

“Kintle, what is it?” he called.

Kintle looked over his shoulder, which was not a good sign, then pointed behind him. He was out of breath, and his voice didn’t carry, but Taio must have read his lips.

“More of them coming from that direction,” Taio told me then looked over his shoulder. I didn’t have to glance to know our three were pressing onward. I wanted to know how many Hollows we ran toward and if the others were safe, but there was no time for any of that. Taio veered inland, and I followed. Ahead, about a quarter of a mile, lay a rocky outcrop. This was no gentle hill. The formation rose rather steeply and was set into the side of an elevated section of the highlands. If we’d been running from the clearing where the traps were set, we could have run up the slope to reach that higher ground. As it was, we’d have to climb up. That meant the Hollows would have to climb too, and their skills in that area were less developed. Of course, depending how quickly they reached the outcrop, the monsters could just grab our ankles and pull us down into their waiting mouths.

That vision wasn’t one I wanted to dwell on, so I thrust it away and pushed my legs to run faster. Kintle angled toward us and we three met a few yards from the outcrop.

“How many?” Taio asked as he motioned for us to hurry.

But I didn’t need to ask now because I saw them. At first glance, I counted about eight, but they were bunched up and I couldn’t be certain. Still, that eight would join with the other three, and it would be three against eleven. Bad odds. If I’d been with my patrol—Nize, Gaz, and Finnrey at my side—I’d have liked our chances. But we’d trained and fought together. I’d watched Kintle and Taio train for the past week or so, but they didn’t train as a unit. And though we’d done some rudimentary training together on the trek to Zleyval, now was not the time to see if those lessons had taken.

Taio slowed as we reached the outcrop, his eyes on the exposed rock and dirt, looking for a way up. I stopped beside him, studying the formation as well. “That way,” I said, pointing to several rocks jutting out. They would make useful hand and footholds.

“You go first,” Taio told me.

“No—”

“Mara! Go!”

I jumped at his command but ceased protesting. No time for argument at this point. I’d kill all of us if I stood and debated about who should climb first. Instead, I sheathed my skullcrusher, reached up, and clutched the first handhold. My arms burned as I pulled myself up, and my feet flailed until I found the first foothold. I reached for the next hold as Kintle began to climb just a little way down from me. He’d chosen a more difficult path, but I was glad to see him climbing. It meant Taio could start sooner. I knew he’d stand at the base and guard us until we were high enough to be safe from grasping hands.

My arms shook as I levered myself higher. My foot slipped on the next small ledge, and it crumbled away. I gasped as I almost lost my grip and tumbled back down, but I dug my nails in and braced my feet on even smaller slices of rock. Another of my nails broke, and my eyes watered in pain. I ignored that pain and reached for the next rock. Using my legs this time, I dragged myself up. My arms shook so badly I didn’t know if I’d be able to make it to the summit. The sounds of the Hollows grew nearer, and I knew if I didn’t make it, I’d kill Taio too. He’d sacrifice himself to make sure I survived.

Grinding my teeth together, I lifted myself up one more time. The top of the outcrop was almost within reach. Gods, please let Taio have begun climbing.

Shaking, and with tears running down my cheeks, I stretched out a blood-spattered hand and clamped it on the surface of the grassy outcrop. I dug my wounded fingers into the dirt and raised my other hand. With a push from my feet, I was able to hoist myself on my elbows and there I hung for a long moment.

“I’m coming, Mara,” Kintle called. He was almost to the summit as well. But I couldn’t hang here that long. I had to get up and out of the way. With a cry, I used the last of my strength to wiggle my chest onto level ground. I swung my legs over and rolled away from the ledge. Then I was on my knees and looking down. Taio was climbing, but he’d barely begun. I glanced at the Hollows who were approaching. The first would be here before he was out of their reach.

Kintle dropped down beside me and uttered a Zulenii curse.

“Faster, Taio!” I called. He glanced up and gave me a wink. What a dusthead! Why was he winking when he was about to be attacked and devoured? Though he must have been as exhausted as I, he climbed quickly and surely. And yet, the first Hollow reached him and grasped at his boot. Taio kicked the hands off and the effort almost cost him his hold on the thin ledge. I stifled a scream, my heart pounding so hard in my chest that I thought my ribs would break. I reached down, but Taio was still too far away to take my hands.

“I will grab him,” Kintle said. “You hold onto me.”

“Yes,” I said. Kintle was stronger than I, and he’d be able to pull Taio up. I’d have to make sure Kintle didn’t slide over. As much as I hated to leave the edge, I moved backward and prepared to anchor Kintle’s legs. The sounds of the Hollows grew cacophonous as they reached the rock wall and scented their prey so close. I rose on tiptoe and peered over at the mass of hands, reaching for Taio’s boots. He was just above their reach, but then one went down and another climbed over it and clasped Taio’s ankle.

“No!”

This time Taio ignored the skeletal hand on his boot and focused on pulling himself higher. Kintle called to him, offering what I thought must be encouragement. I couldn’t hear anything over my pounding heart. Not Taio, was all I could think. I’d lost Finnrey and I’d thought I’d lost Taio’s love. I couldn’t lose him again now that we had just made amends.

Please, please, please.

“Mara!” Kintle shouted. He leaned over the edge, pushing his body further out than was safe. I grabbed his legs, sitting on his calves, keeping him from falling forward. Suddenly, his body jerked forward, and I dug my heels in the ground to keep him from going over. “Help me,” he said, his voice strained. I leaned forward and slid my hands around his waist as he began to work his way back. I pulled and held as inch by inch he slithered back onto the outcrop. But we were too slow. I knew we were too slow. My head screamed, hurry!

“Take him!” Kintle said when he’d worked his chest onto the outcrop. I jumped to the side of the ledge and saw Kintle holding Taio by the wrists, while just below, the Hollows scrambled over each other to reach him. I bent over, put both of my hands around one of Taio’s arms, and began to pull. Kintle released that hand, transferred it to Taio’s other arm, and together we dragged Taio onto the outcrop.

I wanted to cry. I wanted to fall into Taio’s arms. I wanted to lie there and not get up ever again. None of those options was open to me. Instead, I rose to my knees and looked over the ledge. At least two of the Hollows were already halfway up. I don’t know how they did it, but they were strong and determined. I turned back to Taio. “Are you bitten?”

“No.” He shook his head. “The mouths could not bite through my boot.”

“Good thing you laced it tightly,” Kintle said.

Taio inclined his head, and for a moment, I imagined what might have happened if they’d been able to tug his boot off. “We can’t stay here,” I said. “They’ll reach us soon.”

“We keep climbing,” Kintle said, indicating the next rock wall. I groaned. This one was even steeper, but that was to our benefit. The Hollows would have a more difficult task climbing it. The only problem was that we’d be stuck on the next outcrop. Behind it was an almost sheer wall of rock that rose probably twenty feet. If we’d approached it from the other side, it would have been a gentle rise as the entire highlands seems to gradually climb in height toward the mountains in the distance. But from this vantage point, we’d never be able to climb up that wall.

I looked at Taio, who stared at the area Kintle indicated. I could see by the narrowing of his eyes that he saw the same issue I did. He moved back to peer over the ledge and whatever he saw—I could imagine only too well—decided him. “Mara, first,” he said.

I shook my head. “My arms are shaky. I need a moment. You go first.” I knew I couldn’t climb that rockface, and my weakness would not be the reason the two of them died.

“Kintle, go,” Taio ordered. “I will stay back and help Mara.”

“No!” I protested. I should have known Taio would see straight to the heart of the problem.

“You can help her better up there,” Kintle said to Taio. “Climb up and lower a rope.”

“Both of you go on without me,” I said, but neither man so much as glanced at me.

Taio slid his pack down and opened it. “Take the rope and—”

“No.” Kintle pushed Taio’s pack closed. “You go first. Both of you are more important than I.”

“That’s not true,” I said.

“Stop arguing and go,” Kintle said to Taio. I’d never seen him counter an order Taio had given him, but he did not look as though he would back down. His feet were planted wide apart, his hands set on his waist. He scowled fiercely. “Hurry.”

“Fine.” Taio pushed the rope back into his pack then took my pack and shouldered it too. He grasped my hand, squeezed it, and started climbing. I moved back to look over the ledge. One Hollow was nearing, and I planned to stomp on its hands as soon as they touched the ledge. Unfortunately, several were right below him. They were making progress, but it was slow. Those at the bottom seemed to begin climbing, get pulled down by their brethren, only to begin again. But the Hollows who had broken away would reach our ledge in a few minutes.

“Mara,” Kintle said. “Leed sent me to warn you.”

I took a moment to translate his words as he spoke in Zulenii.

“He spotted the Twilight Men at a distance, heading your way.”

“They must have heard the others like them grunting and screeching and come to investigate. Are the others safe?” I asked, thinking of Omira, Yung, and Leed.

“They were safe when I left. Leed twisted his ankle when he jumped down from the tree where he watched.”

I closed my eyes. How would we manage to get home with Hollows as prisoners—if we were ever able to trap any—and an injured Leed?

“Omira and Yung will keep him safe,” I said. “We won’t be able to get back before nightfall. We’ll have to stay up there until we figure out a way to get past them.” I gestured to the climbing Hollows. “Come here.” I motioned for him to stand beside me. The lead Hollow was just nearing the top of the ledge. When its hand groped for the ground where we stood, I stomped on it. The thing howled but did not let go. Kintle stomped too then finally got on his knees and pried the thing’s fingers loose. With a push, the monster went tumbling down to the ground again.

Kintle and I watched as it lay still for a moment then crawled back toward the outcrop and tried to climb again. “How is it not dead?” Kintle murmured.

“It was already dead,” I said, my gaze on the next three who were nearing. We could keep throwing them off if they came one at a time, but I wasn’t certain we could manage three fast enough. I looked over my shoulder and let out a sigh of relief as I saw Taio was almost to the ledge above. He’d paused and was breathing hard, probably saving his breath for the last push. I glanced around, looking for a rock large enough to take out one of the Hollows. Most of the rocks here were either too big to lift or just small stones. One looked promising, though. I pointed to it. “Help me?”

Kintle nodded and together we lifted it and carried it to the edge. “That one?” he said, indicating the one closest to the top. I nodded. Together we swung the rock out and dropped it down. But it bounced off the side of the rock and didn’t hit the intended target.

“Hellfire,” I muttered, looking about for another rock.

“Mara!” Taio called, his voice like an exhalation. I turned and looked up. He’d reached the little ledge and was pulling the rope out of his pack. Quickly, he rolled a rock over one end of the rope and threw the other end down. It didn’t quite reach the bottom of the ledge, but I could reach it if I climbed a little. Then I could tie it about my waist and Taio could pull me up. We’d repeat the act for Kintle.

I looked at him now, and for some reason the image of the Hollow with hair like his flickered through my mind. I’d killed that Hollow, and I saw it lying dead on the ground before me.

“You go first,” I said to Kintle.

“No. It was decided.”

“I don’t care. You go.”

“Mara, you can read the cure. You must go.”

I closed my eyes. I wouldn’t be able to persuade him, and I would waste time trying. “Be ready,” I said.

“I am ready.”

I made sure my skullcrusher was secure then stood under the rope. I swallowed and took a breath then reached for a handhold I hoped would support me. I grasped it, but my hand slipped, and I took a step back. Behind me, I heard Kintle stomping on the hands of another Hollow who had reached the ledge. Panic gripped me, and I grasped the handhold again. This time I curled my fingers into it and reached for another just a little higher with my other hand. I dug my feet into depressions in the rock and hauled myself up. The rope dangled in my face, but I’d need to tie it about my waist. I looked for another handhold, spotted one that was just above a wider ledge where I could rest my feet. I tugged up on the ledge, secured my feet, then grabbed the support with one hand. With the other, I took the rope and slipped it around my waist. Anchoring myself against the wall, I used both hands to tie a knot. My fingers were slippery with blood and sweat, and it took two tries before I had the knot secure.

“Mara, ready?” Taio called.

“Yes!” I tugged on the rope, and for a long moment, I hung in midair. I felt as though I might vomit, but then I remembered rappelling down the cliff in Zleyval and pressed my body closer to the rockface, using the jutting rocks to push up so Taio could pull me faster. Speed was of the essence now. I could hear the Hollows below, and they sounded closer.

“Almost there,” Taio said, his voice gritty with effort. I didn’t dare look up; I looked for my next hold, my next place to push. And then I was dragged over the edge and Taio’s blue-green eyes were right before me. He pulled me into his arms, and I all but fell over. But what I thought was an embrace was not. His hands were busy unknotting the rope. I glanced over my shoulder then and saw Kintle was struggling to pry free the hands of a Hollow grasping at the ledge. Meanwhile, another climbed up and onto the ledge.

“Kintle, watch out!”

Taio looked over my shoulder, cursed, and went back to the knots. Kintle left the Hollow clinging to the edge and pulled his hammer free. He swung it at the Hollow who’d now mounted the ledge, but he hit the thing in the shoulder. For a moment, I thought the momentum might be enough to send it over the edge, but it went down and rolled. By now, another Hollow had achieved the ledge.

“No time,” Taio said and yanked a knife from his boot. He sawed through the rope and jerked it free.

I jumped to my feet and watched as Kintle spotted the other Hollow. I pulled my skullcrusher free, desperate to help him and helpless to do anything from up here.

“Kintle, climb!” Taio called, throwing the rope down. It was now about a foot shorter than it had been, but Kintle wouldn’t have to climb far to grab hold. If we could just pull him out of reach, we could save him.

Kintle signaled he’d heard then turned to the Hollow who had just reached the ledge. He swung his hammer, and this time his aim was true. He hit the Hollow in the side of the temple, caving in its skull. It sagged, twitched, and was still.

“Behind you!” Taio called. Kintle whirled to see the Hollow he’d knocked down back on its feet and lumbering toward him. My gaze darted to the edge of the outcrop where two more Hollows were cresting. Kintle had one more minute at most. He’d need to dispatch the injured Hollow and start climbing if he had any hope of escape. He approached the injured Hollow, raising his ooze-coated hammer and looking for where to strike.

Hurry. Hurry. My gaze darted from Kintle to the climbing Hollows. Taio’s hand landed on my shoulder, and I knew he was as frightened as I. Suddenly, the Hollow charged Kintle. Kintle brought his hammer down, but it landed on the thing’s back, not its head as intended. Kintle went down as the weight of the Hollow rammed into him.

“No!” I screamed. “Fight it!”

Kintle pushed the thing off him, his hand around its throat to hold the gnashing teeth just out of reach. He threw the thing backward and raised his hammer again. Taio’s grip on my shoulder tightened, and not because Kintle’s hammer found its mark.

The other two Hollows were on the ledge and arrowing right for Kintle.

“Behind you!” I called. Kintle whirled just as the first Hollow fell on him. He couldn’t raise his hammer in time, and he had to push the thing back. The other attacked, knocking Kintle off balance. I wanted to close my eyes.

I did not want to see this.

I could not look away.

Kintle went down, and one of the Hollows fell on him. I heard the squelch as its teeth made contact with flesh. Kintle screamed, the sound seeming to carry across the windswept highlands. The Hollows still climbing hissed and growled louder as they caught the scent of blood.

Now the other Hollow was on Kintle’s leg, sinking its teeth into flesh. Kintle kicked it off then knocked the other Hollow away. He rose on his knees, blood dripping from his neck. In the moment before the Hollows attacked again, he looked up at me and our eyes met. His were wide and bloodshot. “Tell Ngaro—” he rasped before the two Hollows were on him again. His screams made my skin crawl.

By then a third Hollow had crested the ledge and crawled for him. I desperately wanted to close my eyes, but I felt I should bear witness to this. I didn’t want Kintle to die alone, and he was not yet dead. He was still screaming.

“Mara, move aside,” Taio ordered, his voice strained. I looked behind me and saw he carried a large rock with both arms. At some point, he’d released my shoulder and collected this rock. I stumbled to the side as Taio went to my place. He stood there, murmured something, then seemed to test the weight of the rock. Finally, he hurled it off the side of the ledge. I closed my eyes as soon as I saw it would land true.

I heard the crunch.

The screams ended.