chapter 55

"Stay together if you want to survive," Caliste said. She might not be a fighter, but she still had the aura of a leader. She had the authority that came from being a dark witch for too long, and she used it to control demons. "I want an orderly withdrawal, not a rout! We can hold them together. Stand right!"

She shouted because it was the only way they could hear her voice amongst the whistling of cannon, muskets and arrows. The men looked at her, shocked by the great authority and aura that she was emitting, but they did as she had commanded. They followed her command, and they fought.

There's nothing elegant about the violence of this battle. There's nothing to be proud of about it. If only Dylan had listened to her, he might still be alive to control his men. Even Caliste knew when to act with courage and when to retreat.

She had seen Dylan and his men training in the field on multiple occasions. But those had been displays of speed, bravery, skill, and style. This was a pure batt