“It’s more than personal. These elves betrayed us in Eastland and welcomed the evil sorcerer right into their capital city. I won’t allow their betrayals go without punishment,” Red said.
“You are too blinded by selfishness to see that they have suffered more than any of us. If you hadn't abandoned me in Westland, our people would have answered Anders’ call to action. Many of you did!” she shouted, addressing the people behind Red. “And they did it behind your back.” Britt formed her hands around her mouth and shouted at the warriors, “Demons in the Horse Lord’s city have chased everyone out and killed six of our own. Four more are badly wounded. Red has led you away from our only escape route. Our ships offer our best chance of survival if we’re overrun. As a Captain among us, I urge you to return to the ships. Now is not the time for us to settle our differences. Now is the time to join together and hold our ground until the allied armies arrive!”
“Lies!” Red shouted. “She is lying to you. Our fight is here with the elves.”
Natalia stepped forward, put her sword back into her sheath, and said to the Rollo forces, “Britt is telling the truth. I was with our dragonriders yesterday when they came to wait for your arrival. Fairnheir and an enemy dragonrider were attacking the city. Because I am capable of speed, I ran to gather more forces while my sister and Anders stayed behind. Whatever happened after I left in part worked; they drove the enemies away and left the city for us to secure. Though some monsters may remain, the orc and kurr armies are not here yet. I do not see any dragons in the skies. We have been given the opportunity to hold the city until our reinforcements come.”
“The dwarfs and humans are far behind you,” Red called back.
“We left camp this morning. They will reach the city by nightfall. If we can hold on until then, we could win this fight,” Nadir shouted, putting weight behind Natalia’s story.
“Trust what we are telling you,” Britt said urgently. “Trust me. Don’t let the current Chief’s personal differences weaken our chances. Together we’ll be stronger. Believe me that I will always hold our people’s future before my own.”
“Are you challenging me?” Red asked, stepping forward to come toe-to-toe with Britt.
Britt returned his cold stare. Max stepped forward to place his hand on Britt’s, “Right now is not the time.”
Natalia held her breath as she awaited Britt’s response. After a tense couple of seconds, Britt said, “No, Max, now is the time. The clan leaders chose the wrong leader when they selected him over me. The Rollo Islanders have been led under a fool for too long.” She stepped to the side and shouted loud enough for all to hear, “I challenge you, Red! As a Captain, I have the right. You are not fit to lead our people, but I am.”
Red shook his axe and shouted a roar of anger meant to intimidate Britt. As Natalia and the others could see, it did not. Red pointed the battle axe at her and growled, “Better take out that sword; you’re going to need it.”
Britt’s hand shot to her hip, but stopped as a tremor shook the ground around them. The violent quake knocked many of the Islanders and elves to the ground.
“What’s going on?” Natalia shouted at Nadir, but he had no answer for her. As she watched the confrontation between Red and Britt, she was shocked to see Red scrambling back toward their people.
Natalia hear him shouting, “Back to the ships!” Britt’s efforts to take control had not been resolved.
Almost as suddenly as it started, the quaking stopped and a burst of light shot up in the distance. Far northeast of the city and beyond the mountains bordering Westland and the Everlight Kingdom, a thin beam of light rose high into the sky. Natalia stared at it as it glowed for a long moment, then vanished. Forgetting the escalation that had happened between them and the Rollo Islanders, Natalia looked at Nadir.
“He’s finally done it,” Nadir said.
“Done what?” Natalia asked.
“Merglan’s broken the ancient magic in Cedarbridge and turned it to his will.”
“How do you know?” she asked.
“I don't, but what else would you say just happened?”
“We don’t have time to speculate anyway, his armies will be here soon,” Natalia said, seeing the black line on the eastern horizon growing larger.
“We need the others to hurry,” Nadir said.
“What about them?” Natalia asked motioning to the Rollo Islanders scurrying toward their ships south of the city.
Nadir shook his head, “They’re too hostile for us to join them now. Perhaps when the fighting starts they'll see us as allies again.”
Natalia nodded and looked to see Britt and Max walking after the warriors. What, are they crazy? It’s not safe for her to go back with them now. Natalia rushed across the grass and quickly caught up with Max and Britt, stopping them. “Where are you two going?”
“I mean to take command of my people,” Britt said sternly.
“You can do that after we have lived through this fight. Do you see the dark line out there?” Natalia asked pointing east.
Britt nodded.
“That’s them. They’re going to beat everyone else unless our soldiers somehow magically learn to run as fast as horses.”
“You mean to defend the city?” Britt asked.
“That’s what we’re here to do,” Natalia said.
“But there were two demons,” Britt said. “It’s not safe in there.”
“The demons must have come before the fairnheir,” Natalia said. “But Nadir and I can help protect us against a couple of lousy demons.”
“Lousy?” Max said in disbelief.
“Okay, not lousy. But it would take more than a couple to get past me,” Natalia said confidently.
“I can’t say that Red won’t try to lead our people against you again, but we could set up a defensible space on the east side. Somewhere near enough that the warriors could join quickly,” Britt suggested.
“When they catch sight of what’s coming for us, I don’t think they’ll have any hesitation about joining up with us,” Natalia said. “You two had better come with us.”
Britt nodded, and Max asked, “You were with Anders and Maija?”
“I was scouting with them, yes,” Natalia said. She explained how she’d gone back when Anders and Maija stayed to help save the city. “But it looks like the other riders might have gotten to them first.”
“Either that or they went off to try a sneak attack on Merglan,” Max said. “Anders was pretty gung-ho about trying to end this before the war started.”
