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swung toward him, but Tolan eluded both. He leaped onto a reptilian beast and launched himself into the air.
    Coming down on the catapult, he ran his sword through its controller, and was swarmed by six other hairy, hulking creatures, their axes and clubs sweeping past him. He managed to climb up into the catapult chamber, and with all of his strength, rolled the boulder out and over the side.
    The rock crashed down two of his enemies, their wails carried above the sounds of battle, and their spirit companions evaporated. Tolan raised his sword to the other four, but a green fireball exploded at his feet, sending him to the ground.
    His enemies circled him, but their bodies were suddenly riddled with arrows. He looked to see Bhrungach archers looking down on him. Some of his foes fell, but one stubborn one fought on. Tolan dodged its axe, climbed up, and rammed it into the catapult wheel, forcing the arrows all the way through its tough hide. The animal spirit clawed at Tolan’s face, and the creature hissed at him before it died.
    Tolan gasped for breath. Yellow-green fire roared past him, setting the ground aflame. He looked up at the Bhrungach archers.
    “The mage!” he yelled, and pointed. “Take out the remaining mage, on the other catapult!”
    The Lady of the Council understood, and directed her men. A hail of arrows found their mark, and took down the other mage. His magic was no more. Tolan saw that half of his men were gone, but with the fall of their mages, the creatures backed off, retreating to the nearby tree line. Horns and drums called. Creatures groaned.
    Geyess met with Tolan. “They retreat?”
    “No,” Tolan answered. “They’re calling for reinforcements, and for more mages. The magic gives them power; the mages call upon the piece of the stone in their possession. Which means…”
    “It’s not with them, here.”
    “No. It’s mostly likely back at their base of operations, the Red Coast. Geyess, we must get the Lady and the council, and whoever else we can out of Bhrungach, before they regroup. We have no more forces here. I’m afraid Bhrungach is lost.”
    Geyess nodded and turned. “Collect yourselves, men! Help evacuate the city; help the wounded.”
    Tolan looked up at Olani. “M’lady! We must get you away from here! Your city is lost… it is not safe. The enemy is returning with more forces.”
    She waved to him and left the wall. The city gates eased open, and Tolan met her at at them.
    “You have saved my people.” She put her arms out with open palms, her eyes bright with hope.
    “I’m afraid it’s a temporary stay, M’lady. They are just disrupted without their magic. More have been summoned. We need to flee now while we can. Half of our forces are gone. We do not have the strength to fight on.”
    “May Thet bless you for your efforts. I will summon my council, now, and my guide, Nachin. Please take as many people as Cardoon can accept. The rest of my army will be at your disposal.”
    “You are gracious, M’lady.”
    “I’m afraid many of my people have fled into the Wizened Forest.”
    “There is no time to find them all, M’lady. Let us pray they find their way to safe havens.”
    “My heart breaks for them.”
    Over her shoulder, Tolan saw the white-haired men of the council stumbling out of the city one by one, their faces drained of all color, far-away looks in their eyes.
    Behind them, Nachin made his way, joining Olani’s side.
    Tolan and his men gathered their dead, ushered the people of Bhrungach to the roads, and compared notes on the enemy with the soldiers of the North.
    The ragged group headed away from the North and its beauty, the green forests, and the cool, rushing rivers, and tranquil lakes.
    In the distance, they listened to drums, and knew the creeping terror would follow them through all the lands.
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    Pim sat at the table with his mother and father. It was the morning meal, and the family passed around toasted homemade bread, buttered