“We just need to focus on what’s on the ground; they’ll take care of the rest,” Britt said.  

“I hope the rest of our army shows up soon,” Max said, looking behind him at the empty streets. 

“We can hold them off until then. Anders saw them on their way in. We need to last long enough for them to arrive.” 

Max looked at the sun. He knew the army wouldn’t make it there until dusk. If they were lucky, an hour or two before then. Judging by its position in the sky, the sun was an hour from high noon. If the dark cloud that appeared behind the enemy army continued to spread, it would be difficult for them to tell what time of day it was.  

The steady sound of unified marching suddenly stopped and the fearful noises of Merglan’s army ceased. For the moment, silence hung between the two opposing forces. Max knew this was the silence before the storm. Whatever happens, protect yourself and your future first, he told himself, glancing to his right. Britt’s dark face shone in the light of the remaining sunlight. Stay close to her, he thought. We’re in this together, to the end.  

Beyond Britt and extending in a line to their right, Max took in the awesome sight of the entire Rollo Island band of warriors. Their shield wall extended into the distance. He wondered if they had ever come together as a whole to fight one battle before. Red’s black beard stood out among the others as he spoke to the men and women around him in their native language. Despite his flawed intentions as the Rolloans’ leader, Max admired Red’s skill as a warrior. They were going to need Red’s axe, soon.  

Startling them with his sudden approach, Nadir appeared in front of Britt and Max. “Max,” he said, ignoring their flinches. “Be ready to use the crystals. The riders are our first line of defense, but they’re counting on our skills as a backup.”  

“Where are the others?” Max asked. 

“Evans and Kirsten are with our elves,” Nadir said, pointing down the stretch of elves to their left. “Inama and Sanka are a third of the way to your right.” 

“And you?” Max asked.

“Natalia and I are positioned with the Rolloans. We’ll be at the south end of our defenses. With five evenly spread out among the warriors and two with the elves, we’ll be best defended.”  

“Watch your back down there. Red can’t be pleased with you being among his ranks,” Britt warned.  

Nadir nodded, “When the fighting starts, I will wager that all the Rolloans will thank us for being there.” 

“I wouldn’t hold my breath,” Max said. 

“It’s better that Natalia and I are there instead of you two. You’re the two best to bridge the gap between our forces,” Nadir said. Max nodded as Nadir continued, “Remember your training and only use the magic you can manage.” 

Max straightened and replied, “I’m ready.” He felt Britt’s hand take his in a comforting grip. As she did, Max felt a surge of hope and inspiration overcome his fear.  

“Good,” Nadir said, looking down the line of warriors to their right. “And when the fighting begins, do not break rank. We are here to defend.” Nadir’s gaze shifted to Max and Britt again as he spoke, “I know you followed Kirsten out into the last battle, but you two must keep your impulses under control. We're stronger together. The dragonriders can only take on so much and we can’t count on them to protect the ground forces.  

“I will not leave my companion’s side,” Max said, giving Britt’s hand a squeeze.  

Nadir nodded, “We must hold them off until the end of the day. Reinforcements will come to relieve those fighting on the frontlines, but we will need to remain. Use your energy wisely, Max.”  

Before Max or Britt could respond, he was gone. Max stared into Britt’s brown eyes, “No matter what happens today, just know that all the ale in the heaven you told me about the night we first met will taste much better when we go there together.” 

Britt smiled, “The ales here in Kartania will taste that much better when we see this battle come to a successful end.” 

Max’s attention diverted to Anders and Maija as they took to the sky. Beyond the line of dragonriders, Max spied a large black dragon and rider flying high over the enemy army. The dark rider hovered for a moment, then the enemy dragons flew at the remaining Norfolk riders. Anders and Maija spurred their dragons into flight, leading the allied riders’ charge in rocketing out at the enemies. Reaching the open sky between the two opposing ground forces, the dragons broke the short-lived silence. Roars erupted and the sky became a swarm of fire and magical energy passing between them. Moments later, the black cloud blocked out the sun, plunging the fields in front of the elves and Rolloans on the ground into darkness. 

Below the ensuing chaos in the sky, Max noticed the fairnheir had stopped pacing and were grouping into packs. Here we go, Max thought. He let go of Britt’s hand and pulled a crystal from his pouch. Max studied the opposing army and realized the thick blocks of orcs and kurr were parting in several places. What are they doing? he wondered. 

From out of the shadowy gloom that had enveloped them, Max saw figures moving up to the front lines. Black humanlike shapes with wings, ghostly wisping shapes and other monsters filed out through the gaps. They poured out onto the field in front of the fairnheir. These were the monsters Merglan had unleased from the elven prison. All of the most dangerous creatures in Kartania stood before them outside Aquina. 

All at once and without organized rank, the eclectic group of creatures charged toward the ground troops. Instantly some outpaced others. Noting the disorganization of their charge, Max understood that these expendable monsters were meant to test the allied forces’ strength. The sound of swords coming unsheathed reminded Max to do the same. As he held his crystal in one hand and his broadsword in the other, he heard the shield wall to his right knock together. Glancing to his sides before the wave hit, Max saw warriors bracing behind their shields and elves crouching with blades in hand. This is it, he thought. Our last stand. 

In front of Max, a demon trailed quickly behind a massive fur-bearing creature three times larger than any bull. The wooly creature peered down its short snout and snarled, exposing bear-like teeth. The muscular giant on four legs snorted as it lumbered at an incredible speed toward the elves to Max’s left. Using his training, Max aimed the crystal at the brindle-colored creature and black demon running up from behind.  

Out of the corner of his eye, Max saw the bright lights of the other crystals flashing as their magic sped out into the disorganized charge. Kirsten or Evans hit the leading beast before it collided with the elves. In the trailing glow of the bright light, Max fixed his sights on the demon. The black-winged giant had turned its attention on him as he held the crystal up in front of him. As the demon spread its wings to leap onto him, Max sent out a blast of magical energy. The demon quickly collapsed its wings, letting the energy pass a fraction of an inch over its head. Not hesitating, Max stepped forward and thrust his crystal at the demon again, sending a stream of energy directly at its chest. 

Expecting the demon to be flung backward, Max’s fear doubled when he saw the demon catch the stream of energy and stumble somewhat from its oncoming thrust. The dark demon held the magic in its hands. He could hear its flesh crackling as the energy burned. Max's eyes grew wide when the demon looked directly at him and threw the mass of magic back. Instinctively, he held the crystal out and closed his eyes hoping that he would either absorb the energy into the crystal or deflect it. 

Max felt an immense strain on his arm. He screamed. Opening his eyes and half expecting his arm to be missing, his eyes were momentarily blinded with the light of the hurled energy shattering into tiny shards just feet in front of those around him. Without any time to think, another brindle giant bounded in past the demon. Max reacted. A pulse of magic left his crystal and hit the creature in the flank causing it to spin sideways and fall to the ground.  

The demon launched in over the beast, landing just feet away. Max and Britt struck out together with their swords. As they did, two elves on Max’s left caught the demon’s ankles and pulled it down. Britt’s blade scratched the demon’s chest and Max missed, his sword running through open air. As the elves piled onto the downed demon, Max saw their next attacker. The brindle furry beast he’d hit earlier had nearly reached the Rollo Islanders’ shield wall to his right. He missed with a poorly placed shot. His energy passed over the creature’s back and exploded into other creatures trailing behind it.  

Max cursed. The creature hit the shield wall and pushed through mauling warriors caught in its path. Too many warriors in his way prevented Max from getting another clean shot at the beast. Handheld weapons would have to kill the creature now. Another monster breached the elves’ line near Max. He heard an elf’s armor crunch under its blow. A gigantic orc, four times larger than the average tusked creature, loomed over them. Upon seeing it, Max watched the bald, gray-skinned monster fix his eyes on him and the crystal. The large orc bellowed and swatted at another elf who charged at its waist. Max heard the elf’s ribs break under the powerful backhand. Another elf attacked, running in swiftly behind his companion. Max watched helplessly as the elf stabbed the monster in its middle. Before the elf could strike again, the orc’s large hands had grabbed the elf’s head and burst it open like a ripe berry. The elf’s body fell to the ground. More demons and monsters crashed into the elves and warriors around them.  

Using the power in the crystal, Max charged the giant orc and thrust energy out at it. Where the magic normally exploded on impact, the energy from Max’s crystal passed cleanly through the giant’s chest. For a moment he could see through the orc’s insides to the fighting dragons in the sky behind. Then it fell to the ground, crushing the back end of a wolf-like monster who’d almost reached Max, much to his surprise. Britt ran in front of him and lopped off the beast’s head before it could escape. 

From the corner of his eye, Max saw a dark shape fly past. He swiveled to see a demon landing among the warriors near him and Britt. Max charged the demon, throwing bursts of light with his crystal as he did. The demon flew overhead, dodging each one as they came. The winged creature came in directly on him. Max’s only thought was to save Britt, who stood behind him. He had to kill the thing before it reached them.  

At full speed, the demon descended on them. Max grabbed the hilt of his sword with both hands. With the crystal held in his fingers against the grip of his sword, he swung at the demon. Misjudging the distance, he realized his blade would fall short and miss the attacking monster. Trying to access the crystal’s powers partway through the swing of his sword, Max saw a flash of light shoot out from the tip of his blade. The energy hit just behind the demon’s body, cutting off the outer half of its wings. The demon dropped, crashing into the ground in front of them.  

Not understanding exactly what he’d just done, Max saw his opportunity to kill the creature. He thrust forward with the tip of his sword directly at the demon’s head. With lighting speed, the demon swiped its arm across Max’s sword, knocking his killing blow to the side. Suddenly the demon sprung up with its spear-like fingers aimed at Max’s chest. Without time to react, Max braced for the piercing grip to shoot through his leather armor. A blade cut down through the demon’s outstretched arm, separating it from its body. The demon screamed, letting out a hellish noise that pierced Max’s ears and drown out all other sounds. The creature’s momentum carried him into Max and they fell, chest to chest. As the demon’s weight crushed down on Max, he managed to pulse a small amount of energy through his body. The flow was enough to push the beast off of him. The demon’s body whiplashed away from Max and he saw a sword pop through the demon’s head. The piercing shriek stopped instantly and the blade sticking out from the center of its face pulled back and swiped quickly, cutting off its head. Max pushed himself away from the demon as its lifeless body fell to the ground. Behind it, Britt stood with her bloodied sword in hand. She reached down and took Max’s hand, pulling him to his feet.  

“You okay?” she asked. 

Max nodded. He was shaken but could see that their combined efforts had wiped out a massively destructive creature. The Rollo Islanders had managed to kill the brindle beast that had broken their ranks without being picked off. They’d quickly reformed their shield wall. All around them, monsters in widespread and random groups continued to pepper their defenses.  

Max and Britt again faced a group charge. Max prepared to use the crystal to pick them off one at a time. Use your energy wisely, he thought, remembering Nadir’s last words to him. I’m not getting direct hits each time and that’s wasting valuable energy, Max told himself. Do something different. Then Max brought his sword back into both hands. He held the crystal against the blade’s handle and attempted to recreate what he’d done to the demon. Summoning the magic in the way he’d used it independent of the sword, Max now channeled that energy into his sword.  

The bright light rushed out of the tip of his sword, continuing as if he’d shot it with his hands. It exploded into the group, dropping three of the beasts. Two trolls charged with large axes. It was too late for Max to try anything new, so he attempted to defend himself as best he could. He brought his sword up to block the trolls’ axes as they fell at him. Astonishingly, his blade still glowed and cut through the steel curve of one battle axe. Reacting quickly, he slashed out at the troll. Still pressing the crystal into the blade, Max was able to easily cut through the large creature. Britt blocked the attack of the second and Max quickly cut it down with her. 

How am I doing that? he wondered. Whatever magic he was transferring into his sword was not the same magic Anders used to extend his blade. Instead, somehow Max had infused his sword with energy. It cut through a steel axe with one swing and a troll’s thick torso with another. With renewed energy, Max took on all of the creatures who charged them. 

Consumed with setting his sights on the next monster, Max successfully cleared a pocket around them. When he stopped to look around, he saw a fight nearby that was going much worse for the others. Fairnheir bounded into the ranks behind the last of the charging demons and monsters. To his left, elves had become spread apart while fighting. Seeing the next wave of fairnheir bursting forward, Max returned to Britt’s side. They prepared to face them together. 

*** 

Natalia withdrew her blade from the wraith’s body. She whirled around to see an enormous black bull with three sets of sharpened horns wrecking through the ranks to her right. Arrows and spears stuck from its body like porcupine quills, but it continued to gore Rollo warriors. Dashing with elven speed, Natalia used her crystal’s energy to place a barrier between the enraged bull’s face and the people who were being attacked. The barrier still pushed them back, but it gave them some separation from the bull’s six spear-like horns. Natalia summoned a spell, something that she knew would drain most of the energy inside her. After learning how to syphon the life from something dying, Natalia knew she could replace what she used now with that of the bull once she took it down.  

Rapidly approaching the creature, she withdrew the shield barrier in front of the bull’s horns and prepared to use her spell. Natalia released the spell, ramming it into the bull’s side. The spell spread through the bull with such force that its heart was separated from the arteries supplying its blood. The six-horned bull toppled to the ground and Natalia quickly absorbed the last of its dying energy into her sapphire.  

Looking for her next opponent, Natalia scanned the sky. Anders and Maija worked together in a deadly fight against one of Merglan’s dragonriders. A dragonrider who’d joined their fight fell among the chaos taking place in the sky. Natalia cursed, seeing that Merglan hadn’t even bothered to ride out to join them. Why is he toying with them? she wondered, redirecting her attention to the fighting on the ground again. 

She saw a demon fly in low over the Rollo warriors. Some were able to block it with their shields, but the creature slashed its claws into many as it passed. Natalia ran. As she trailed the demon, she saw Nadir leap up and grab the demon by its neck. As he caught it, he thrust his crystal through the beast’s head and fell back down into the crowd of warriors. She stopped, turning her attention to another bear-like beast charging at her section of the shield wall. Meeting the creature before it could kill dozens more warriors, she slid between its legs and cut the brindle beast down the middle. Its momentum carried it into the warriors and it still managed to crush several under its dead weight, but she’d stopped it from destroying more.  

When she rose to her feet out in front of the warriors, she saw the next wave of enemies coming at them. Fairnheir, some larger than the biggest she’d ever seen, were running at them with intense speed. Like the monsters that had attacked before them, the giant hound-like creatures lacked organization, but were as blood-thirsty, if not more so, than the rest. She caught a glimpse of the entire army before coming back within the shield wall. The monsters who’d attacked continued to crash into the ranks down to the elves. They were losing too many warriors and elves. If nothing changed, they would be overrun by fairnheir before the orcs even arrived.   

Before the bounding fairnheir reached their lines, Natalia thought, We're going to need to retreat into the city if we're going to last through the day. She attempted to mind-meld with a dragonrider from the north who flew nearby. At first the rider didn’t let her in, but when she shouted, he heard her. We can’t hold them off in the open like this. You must help me spread the word of retreat to all of our forces. 

Not waiting to see if the rider planned to do as she asked, Natalia ran out in front of the shield wall to meet the charging fairnheir. Using the energy in her sapphire to charge her speed and strength, Natalia put her blade to work. At first, she took them as they charged, but she lost her effectiveness as their numbers grew and they began to charge past her. Thinking quickly, Natalia chased after one in the lead and jumped on top of the hellhound. She grabbed its ear and pulled hard. The massive hound’s head came back, snapping as it tried to bite her. The beast continued to charge forward, not steering to the right as she wanted.  

Next, she tried to mind-meld with it, but the fairnheir had been protected from magic attacks. With one last attempt to stop the lead beast before its pack reached the retreating warriors, she took the crystal in her hand and pressed it down against the back of the fairnheir’s head. Suddenly she could feel some distant connection into the beast’s mind. The fairnheir resisted at first, but when she pressed harder, Natalia finally made it turn. As the beast ran across in front of the others, she cut them down with her sword. Soon the beast resisted and corrected its course.