Then the footsteps came out of nowhere, raced across the floor with a noise that scraped the raw surface of the soul, and disappeared through the wall.

Dorchin was out and away, the door slamming behind him, his footsteps racing into the distance.

Heavy footsteps were racing along the deck outside.

The footsteps raced past the warehouse, and the group of ten or so fishermen reached the wharf and crossed the wooden gangway to the bridge deck.

I do not know how long I held Alcuin against the chill flagstones of the courtyard that night, while footsteps raced around us and voices muttered.