i didnt stop i threw myself down the stairs , taking each step so fast that my legs were a blur , so fast that i should have tripped and should have killed myself , but all such thoughts were out of my head and i was running against some unknowable clock that was counting how long it took me to get down there , to get to tristan and igrin and celin i hit the level floor of the hall and raced toward the distant opening that led to the field , knowing theyd gone that way .