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The last hundred feet between them is quickly filling with more of the creatures. He blasts out with his magic and ten are flung away only to have the space immediately filled by others. Unable to hold them at bay any longer, he throws up a protective barrier just as one creature leaps over the heads of his fellows and smashes into it. The contact of the creature causes an immediate increase in the amount of power required to keep the barrier in effect, just as the touch of those creatures back in the pass on the way to Ironhold had.

Must be similar in nature, though there’s nothing of fire about these creatures. Within the barrier, James concentrates to maintain the barrier against the onslaught. His forward motion stopped as more and more of the creatures bar his way. They’re packed in so tightly around him that some are beginning to stand on the shoulders of their fellows, creating a wall of creatures on the outer side of the barrier.

The magic of the warrior priest has been absent since the appearance of these creatures which has James worried. Of course it could be that the summoning of these creatures took all he had. He fervently hopes so.

Jiron can no longer be seen through the press of creatures, they have worked themselves three high around his barrier and their combined effect is draining the magic from him in growing quantities. He’s not sure just how much longer he’ll be able to hold it.

Miko is among those upon the battlements keeping an eye on the enemy camp. James has been inside now for some time. He had laughed along with the others when the enemy soldiers were scattered by those small spheres that flashed and zapped. Though now he’s begun to worry. It’s been many minutes since they were escorted in through the palisade to meet with the commander.

He glances down to the courtyard below where Illan and the rest of his men sit on their horses awaiting the signal to come to James’ aid should the need arise. When Illan looks up at him, he shrugs. Turning to look back at the enemy camp, he prays they’re alright.

Then from the heart of the enemy camp, a flash of red and then a moment later a massive explosion rips through the night. Fire seems to be thrown in every direction.

“What happened?” Illan hollers up at him.

Miko turns his head to face him and says, “A large explosion in the camp. Looks like James is giving them what for.”

Schtk! Boom!

A massive white light accompanies an intense explosion from the same area as the earlier one. The concussion of the blast is such that those on the battlements can feel it roll past them. Miko strains to see what’s going on but the whole area is one mass of moving bodies and can’t make out where James and Jiron are.

When beams of red light shoot out into the night, he turns and descends the steps three at a time to the courtyard below. When he hits the bottom, he races to Illan. “We need to go, now!” he hollers as he gets into the saddle.

“The catapults are on fire!” they hear the cry from someone on the wall.

“Good,” Miko hears Illan grunt beside him.

From atop the wall, Henri’s voice hollers, “Open the gate!”

From behind them, they hear one of Illan’s men say, “Black Hawk flies again!”

When the gates open, the cry goes up, “For Madoc and Black Hawk!”

Illan kicks his horse and they race forward across the bridge toward the palisade. The area between the bridge and the palisade is devoid of enemies. Riding hard, they close the distance quickly.

Intent on the gate before him, Miko is suddenly struck with a feeling of unease. Exactly what the cause is he’s not sure. The closer to the gate he rides the stronger the feeling becomes. By the time their party nears the closed gate, the feeling of unease has grown to one of immediate urgency.

“We’ve got to get to the other side!” he hollers to Illan.

“Stephen, Ison, open the gates,” Illan hollers. As two riders dismount and rush to the gate, he glances at the empty wall above them. Where are the crossbowmen?

One of the men behind him says, “I hope the gates