Her father wrapped her in a brief hug, warning her as he turned to leave. “Be careful, Minx. It's possible I won't make it through this. But I want you to take care. If the battle takes a sour turn... retreat to safety with your friends here. Regroup and plan a different angle of attack. Just don't be careless and throw away your life.” With that, he began in the direction of town, a fist locked around the scabbard of his sword.
When the dragons were ready, they fell into line behind Minx and Mau, marching through the forest, where numerous Fae—the elderly, children and infirm—watched them closely from windows and open doorways. A few of them cheered and waved, celebrated the small force as though they were heroes. Minx looked up at them wistfully. If we fail... what'll happen to all of them? I can't disappoint them. We have to win!
A steady march brought them into the Trade Center, and they found it occupied not by cheery merchants, but by rows of Fae warriors. Swordsmen stood at the rear—the last line of defense meant to cut down any hostiles that made it past the archers. The lancers stood in an orderly formation before them, their weapons held at the ready. The massive walls were crawling with archers; dozens of them paced about the cobblestones with bows in hand, ready to send a rain of arrows at the drop of a hat.
These warriors represented the greatest the Fae had to offer. They were skilled, efficient battlers—but no matter their strength, they would soon be vastly outnumbered. It remained to be seen how effective these paltry defenses would be in the face of an army many thousands strong. The enemy army, too, was fronted by none other than Torrent. Minx and the others could handle just about anyone in Valry's ranks without much trouble, but the Dark Mage was on another level entirely.
Approaching the front lines where her father was stationed, she peered out the entrance gate and watched as the first stirrings of the dark army became visible in the distance. She planned to stick with Kaleb; with his help, she would be able to attack targets from above, possibly sniping the higher-ranking members before they could deliver their orders. Considering the titanic odds they faced, Minx would have to capitalize on every possible opportunity to inflict pain and chaos on the opponent. The tactic seemed sound enough on paper; she wondered, though, how it would hold up in practice.
Mau strolled up behind her, testing the air. They're nearly here now. Are you ready, Minx?
I am. Be careful, Mau. I know you can hold your own, but we're going to get swarmed. It's possible we'll be separated. Don't get careless! The Fae huntress watched as waves of shambling combatants pressed on toward the Trade Center. They moved at an impressive clip, testing the patience of the waiting archers, who were now taking aim and weighing their shots.
“Not yet!” shouted her father. “You will fire on my mark, and on my mark only,” he commanded. “If we fire too soon, we'll only waste the shot.”
“Will Torrent be among them?” asked Minx. “Will he lead the army?”
“I'm not sure,” admitted her father. He dispatched his faithful War Eagle, sending the creature high into the skies to do a bit of surveillance. “If he is, then I want every sword and arrow on him the moment he steps through the threshold.”
“If Torrent is on his way, I'll take him on myself,” uttered Kaleb. “I still owe him for last time.”
“What are you talking about?” blurted Minx. “He very nearly killed you, Kaleb! We need to be careful around him.”
“You're right,” he conceded, “but he faced me this way, man-to-man. Let's see how he fares man-to-dragon. His spells could deflect my blows, but can they deflect a fire blast?” He motioned to the other dragons idling with the lancers. “You guys are going to shift and focus on crushing as many grunts as you can. Understand? Let them have it! Chew them to bits, rip them to shreds and burn them to ashes. You're to take out as many as you possibly can. Don't stop until there are none left.”
The lancers began moving into position. They planned to form a tight phalanx formation, blocking entry into the trade center and thrusting at incoming warriors with their frightful blades. It was hoped that this wall of lances would further slow the incursion of hostiles into the Trade Center. Wuffs who avoided the sting of the lance would be slain by arrows from above, or by the swordsmen in reserve, if they happened to breach the outer defenses.
The air grew heavy with dread. Minx could feel the plains beyond the Trade Center quivering beneath the feet of the dark legions. They were close now.
Who would land the first blow? Who would draw first blood?
She yanked an arrow from her quiver as Kaleb shifted into his dragon form and stepped out of the Trade Center. Climbing onto his back, she nocked the arrow and watched as the other dragons transformed and took flight, circling the grounds in anticipation. The skies darkened as if in anticipation of the battle; a crisp wind streaked past the Pandling forces as they stood at the ready, and many of them, their nerves ratcheted, shivered despite the warmth of the day.
Minx had been waiting for this day. The wait had seemed to her an eternity. Journeying across the land with Kaleb and Mau, finding herself in one mess after another, she had begun to wonder whether the fateful clash would ever arrive. Now, as Kaleb lumbered on with her on his back, the wait was over. She squinted into the distance, spying untold hordes bearing down on her precious homeland. There were more marchers flooding
