Minx couldn't bring herself to break the news to him and instead asked the young swordsman, “Where's my father? I need to speak to him immediately.”
A few of the swordsmen went marching through the square, returning with Minx's father a few moments later. Still haggard for the toll of battle, Valdar nonetheless welcomed her with open arms and pulled her aside. “Well?” he asked. “How did it go, Minx? Were you able to secure more reinforcements?”
The Fae huntress shook her head. “I'm sorry, father. We tried—Kaleb made an appeal—but they refused. He came along, however, and is willing to fight for us. I trust him and he's a capable warrior.” Peering up at him cautiously, fearful of his disappointment, she pressed on. “How have things been? Have there been many raids? Many losses?”
He nodded gravely. “There have been some large war parties, certainly. None that we haven't been able to rebuff, mind you. There have been losses, many of them in the medical tent, rather than the battlefield. Infection has spread amongst the wounded and our healers, unfortunately, are overworked. A few have recovered and have returned to active duty, but others have perished since you left.” Valdar sighed. “Our numbers continue to dwindle.”
“I see...” Recalling her time with Alla and the hunter, Minx pulled the allegedly magical amulet from her pocket, hopeful that it was worth the effort. “Father, what do you make of this? I was told that it was a magical amulet being used by one of Torrent's allies in controlling the races. As best I can tell, though, it's no such thing. I went to some trouble to obtain it.” She handed him the piece of jewelry and watched as he carefully appraised it.
“I can't be certain,” he replied after a pause, “but it doesn't seem to be a magical object.” Valdar looked it over with closeness, inspecting the stone, the casing and holding it up to the light. He smiled weakly. “I'm afraid you may have been taken in by a farce, my dear. This piece doesn't appear to have any magical properties whatsoever. I have known a few magical items in my day, but this is utterly lacking the spell-casting character.”
“I feared as much.” She tucked the amulet away and turned toward the gate. “The enemy is upon us. Shall we take our positions?”
He nodded. “Yes. I'm thankful you've come, Minx. The scouts have warned us that the incoming force is large and well-organized. Be safe, my dear. We will defend the walls and attempt to keep them from infiltrating the gate. If they do breach it, we must ensure that they do not make it out of the square. Blockades have been set up through all of the major streets to slow down any such invaders, and a handful of soldiers have been stationed at each.”
Having been briefed, Minx departed for the wall. First, however, she stopped to speak to Kaleb, who'd since shifted back into his human form. “So, this force looks pretty massive. I don't know if our defenses will hold. My father tells me that our numbers have only fallen since I was last home.”
The dragon shifter looked to the gate, chuckling. “Same as it ever was, huh? I seem to remember things were a mess for us the last time we found ourselves here. Do you guys have a plan?”
“Defend the Trading Center and keep them out,” she replied flatly. “Without more men, that's about the best we can do.”
“It's as good a plan as any,” said Kaleb. “These guys don't take too kindly to a rain of fire from above, so I'll keep them on their toes while you pick them off. Sound good?”
Perhaps it was the stress of battle getting to her, or else a fear that she may not have another chance, but Minx stepped forth and wrapped the dragon shifter in a tight embrace. She looked up at him, cheeks flushed, and grappled with the urge to kiss him. “P-Please,” she stammered, “stay safe, Kaleb.”
The dragon shifter returned her embrace and smiled warmly. He might have made good on that kiss if not for the prying eyes of surrounding Fae. “Sure,” he replied. “Else all that healing you did will have been for nothing, am I right?” He withdrew with a wink, starting toward the gate.
The Faelyr strode by nonchalantly as Kaleb departed. Need I remind you we have a war to win? There'll be time enough for romance if we can pull this off, but right now there are more important things to worry about!
Minx rolled her eyes, climbing quickly up the wall and taking her place among the archers. Oh, leave me alone! I'm not distracted—I'm perfectly in the zone, I'll have you know. Adjusting her braid, she replenished the arrows in her quiver from a large barrel atop the wall and paced toward the side of the gate, watching as the first enemy waves drew near.
And rather unexpectedly, there was a familiar face among them.
Leading one of the foremost battalions and still armed with a longsword, was Alla. She led a mixed force of Wuffs, Krah and a few others whose lineage was less clear. Her advance slowed to a crawl, and then she and her men came to a total halt some fifty or so feet from the front gate. Scanning the top of the wall, she bellowed out an order for all to hear. “Citizens of Pandling Grounds, you are hereby ordered to submit to a new master. I command you to open the gate and to immediately surrender. You will, from this day onward, serve Torrent. If I have been understood, quickly open the gate and lay down your arms. Resist and you will surely die.”
I doubt it, scoffed Minx. You may overrun us, but we're going to give you everything we've got. If Torrent wants our land, he's going to pay
