The ground exploded — not just around me, but everywhere, blowing sand and debris into the air in a violent cascade.
Something shot out of the ground alongside the explosion, flying toward us.
First came the disorientation. The earth had loosened beneath our feet, shaking our balance, and then the explosion of sand and stone threw us into complete chaos. Then came the bone spikes. As I saw one hurtling toward me, my eyes sharpened, and in that moment my brain worked with a calmness I never knew I possessed.
I spawned swirling chains that twisted into the air, blocking the white bone spikes flying toward me and the man behind me who was still recovering his footing.
The explosion itself wasn't that strong — that wasn't the main problem. The spikes were.
I could hear people shouting and groaning. Even the wagons were hit.
All of this happened in less than three seconds. The perfectly regulated, well-formed caravan was thrown into utter disaster.
'The old man was right.'
