“I’m ready,” Dyna said, resting her hand on the hilt of her short sword.
Tugging off his shirt, Zev shifted into a massive black wolf. He rose to his full height, nearly as tall as Lucenna’s horse.
The mercenaries had already mounted on their rides, the forest littered with their grappling gear. Two others collected them into enchanted packs. The sight of that made her nervous. Removing their gear meant they didn’t want anything weighing them down.
The men settled down as they lined up in formation. Klyde and Eagon took the lead along with Olyver, Cam, Sigrid, and Alasdair. Her group took up the center, and the rest of the mercenaries covered the rear.
“Listen up,” Klyde said, his eyes sweeping over the younger mercenaries, then falling on Lucenna and her group. He kept his voice low, and all held quiet to hear him. “Some of you have not faced the west end trolls. They are slightly different from the trolls on the east end. These trolls are bigger, faster, andintelligent. Once they attack, move quickly. Don’t hesitate and strike true. Right and left flanks will create a barrier to hold them back as I lead our guests to the gorge, with the last flank covering our backs. Once we are through, the first and last flank will unite with the unit to make for the sea. Go with your God.”
“And may he receive me,” the mercenaries murmured in quiet unison.
The younger mercenaries paled but did their best to hold their courage.
Nerves buzzed in Lucenna like a hornet’s nest. She briefly shut her eyes and sent a prayer to the God of Urn that they would survive this.
Klyde gave a signal, and they rode on.
“Steady now,Osombre,” Rawn murmured to Fair.
They cantered ahead at a quiet but steady pace. Lucenna and Dyna kept close, keeping an eye on their surroundings. They clomped through the muddy marshes without trouble until they reached the middle of the glade.
Trolls sprung out of burrows in the ground. The mercenaries reared back on their horses. Mud coated the three-eyed beasts, but they ran on all fours. They were lithe with spiked hides, and they were incredibly fast. Their frightening roars echoed across the land, thrumming against Lucenna’s heart.
The mercenaries fought with Klyde in the lead. She cast out spells, Rawn unleashed a rain of arrows, and Zev tore into any trolls that got too close to them. They kept Dyna shielded in the center. The men fought all around them and soon killed them all.
A Horde burst out of the trees and charged after them. They poured out in an endless stream. There were so many, it completely ruined their initial plan.
Klyde yanked on his reins and rode to the front lines with Eagon.
“Stay back, my lady, please,” Rawn said to Dyna, and he gave Lucenna a look to watch over her.
She nodded.
The mercenaries fell in formation as they rode after their captain, with Rawn and Zev following close behind. But they were severely outnumbered.
The sound of clashing blades came from all around her as Eagon and Klyde called out attacks. Lucenna knew their luck wouldn’t last for long, but she also didn’t expect the trolls to find them right when they reached the gorge.
“The Horde will swarm them,” Dyna said. “We need to cut off their attack at the neck.”
She shook her head. “What do you mean? You don’t have magic.”
Dyna reached into her pocket and took out a black feather, giving her a sly smile.
Lucenna gaped at it. It was one of Cassiel’s feathers. “Where did you get that?”
“Never mind that,” Dyna said, yanking her horse around. “You take right, I’ll take left.”
“What? Wait! You’re supposed to stay with me!”
But Dyna kicked her heels and rapidly galloped away. She rode low and fast, arcing around the two units to race straight for the Horde.
Lucenna cursed and galloped in the opposite direction. She called on her Essence, feeling it crackle on her skin. She rode across the marshesand circled to the right as the Horde passed between them. A Violent charge in the air, but it wasn’t hers.
A brilliant green light flared across from her as Dyna's hands filled with magic. Storm clouds rolled across the sun as Lucenna called on her power. Green fire roared across the marshes and exploded into the left flank of the Horde. Lucenna reached up to the sky and drove down her fist with a cry. Bolts of lightning rained down and tore through the screeching beasts.
The air filled with thick smoke and the stench of scorched flesh. Lucenna couldn’t see a thing. She coughed violently and blinked her watering eyes. It was quiet. Too quiet. Her heart raced wildly, and she felt the world closing in.
“Dyna?” Lucenna called, tugging on her reins as she turned in place. “Rawn?”
