"Screeching in pain and terror, the rogues backed off, but they didn't flee like the Un-Named raiders did. Something seemed to force them back into the fray, making them ignore their fright and their agony to attack again.

The flame-bearers' attack faltered as eyes met eyes and the enemy's ability to withstand the Red Tongue was passed quickly among the Named. Firekeepers . . .

Above the commotion, Ratha heard an agonizing shriek, so raw that she didn't recognize the voice.

She whirled, thinking one of the Named had been mortally struck. Instead she saw Bira, not in the battle but on the edge. Her ears were back, her mouth was open, but the sound from her throat wasn't a battle cry but a horrified scream.

"They're killing the cubs!" Bira paused only long enough to gather breath and shriek again, even louder. "They're attacking the nursery! They're killing the cubs!"