They came like a flood, bodies clashing against bodies with screams that were cut off by gurgles and steel against steel. The iron scent of blood flooded the air and coated my tongue until I could practically taste its headiness. Ash and fire rained down as attacks from both sides were sent wayward or struck their intended targets.
All the while, the fire in the sky raged and writhed, trapped by a dome of air. As if illuminating our presence was the only way to aid her sycophants in their attempted destruction.
Fireballs and wooden spears came first, no rhyme or reason to the attack, as our Air Mages erected a quick shield, disintegrating the attacks as they hit.
But it was little more than a quick deterrent.
Air Mages attacked next, sending gales of wind through our shields, causing us to dig our heels deep into the rich soil lest we be blown back into the trees. More than one soldier lost their footing, high-pitched screams cut short as their bodies were impaled deeply upon spikes that the trees suddenly sprouted, coaxed forth by Earth Mages.
What in gods’ name are we up against?
For the first time, perhaps ever, I had a distinct sinking feeling in my gut. Something that felt an awful lot like fear.
I shook my hands out and quickly dispelled my darkening thoughts as Solace’s army broke through our Air Shields, magical attacks accompanying physical ones as they clashed with our army.
I raised my sword on instinct, blocking a particularly savage overhand cut from a man as large as a tree. My arm vibrated with the intensity of his strikes, my teeth rattling with the effort of keeping him at bay, never attacking but always defending. We twirled in a dance of flashing steel and labored breaths as I fought to protect Torin at my back.
I could feel the godling’s frustration rolling from him in waves as he pressed his palms into the earth, desperately trying to call forth his magic.
“Torin!” I called, parrying another blow that would’ve taken my head from my body. “Now would be a great time to join!”
“Fuck!” I roared, spinning away from a second sword that joined the fight, the tip of it nicking the top of my thigh. Pain erupted from the spot as hot blood ran down my pant leg. I skipped backward, bending back to avoid another heavy cut from the first soldier.
“Torin!” I screamed as I whirled this way and that, parrying strikes from both men. The fire cast them in a light that stretched shadows across their faces, illuminating evil smiles and desperately glinting eyes.
“To think, I could be the one to bring the famed General’s head on a platter to my mistress,” the second attacker hissed, his voice as thin and reedy as his greasy hair.
Chills erupted down my spine.
They knew who I was—they knew I was here.
What else did they know?
“Torin!” I called again, aiming a strike at the large man’s body that he easily parried. “I could use a bit of help here.”
Both assailants were younger than me by decades, and I was already growing winded. If I didn’t find some way out of this fight, and fast, my energy would be too depleted, and I would be of no use to our soldiers.
A comforting presence neared my elbow, and I turned in shock to see a grim-faced Torin standing shoulder to shoulder with me, a blade clutched in each of his hands.
“Your magic?” I asked as we circled the two attackers, vicious gleams in their eyes now that the fabled godling had joined the fight. I had no doubt Solace wanted his head more than even my own.
“Locked,” he said tightly.
I blanched.
“Locked?”
Torin simply nodded his head once before launching into a series of attacks, sword sweeping in graceful arcs as he leapt and bounded after the treelike man. My eyebrows rose in appreciation, jaw slacking slightly as I watched him dance.
Even without his magic, Torin was formidable.
I just hoped it was enough to keep us alive until help arrived.
Ifhelp arrived.
Chapter One Hundred Five
Lex
