The Castle under attack:<\/p>\n
Approaching from the west, the boy and his two companions looked down over the scene from the hills above. Many of the castle\u2019s walls were at least half reduced to rubble, and the outer courtyard was littered with bodies of the dead and dying. Demons as well as men. Signs of battle were still strong, but the fighting men of the castle had deserted the walls. They had retreated to protect the castle itself by firing arrows through the narrow window slits in the inner walls. From their raised vantage point, Zac could see the invaders were trying to enter the castle itself by means of the stone steps in the turrets. The wooden doors were no more, hanging limply on creaking, broken hinges or already smashed to the ground. Still, the demons were having trouble entering.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe castle is well built against attack,\u201d Aldric explained. \u201cThe women and children will be below ground for safety, and the narrow steps leading up from ground level allow no more than two men to stand side by side. With the looks of it, only one of Vorac\u2019s creatures can fit through at once. At least there, the men can defeat them in single file.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Still, the time gained seemed almost futile as, where one beast fell, a group was waiting to force through. So many of the demons remained it looked as if not one of them had been killed, despite the littered bodies. Zac voiced his suspicions to Aldric who explained.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThis is Vorac\u2019s work. He must be nearby. For every creature that falls, he will summon more. I\u2019m afraid the castle is fighting a losing battle.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut, what can we do?\u201d Zac asked, desperate and afraid.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe must find Vorac and defeat him. With his death, the hordes will be sent back.<\/p>\n
It is the only way, my boy,\u201d Aldric added, staring hard at Zac.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHow can we know where he is?\u201d Beth asked.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 By means of the crystal,\u201d the wizard replied with a sigh. \u201cAnd by its use, Vorac will also know where we are. I\u2019m afraid it is the only way though, and a risk we have to take.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Taking out the crystal, Zac handed it to Aldric without a word.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Looking deep into the glassy depths, the wizard took a sharp intake of breath.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat is it?\u201d asked Zac quickly.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cImmediately, he senses my presence,\u201d replied Aldric in a hushed voice, as if to prevent Vorac from hearing him. \u201cI see where he is. He is in the northern turret room on the upper floor. I recognise the room by its pennants. But he also recognises my power so knows I am free. His magic has grown stronger than I suspected. We must prepare to defend ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDefend ourselves?\u201d Zac asked<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Aldric pointed. Already, some of the hordes outside the castle were turning their attention to the hill where Zac\u2019s small company stood, and were beginning to head their way.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBy all the Fates, what about Beth?\u201d Zac asked in alarm.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt is too late to do anything but fight. We will protect her as well as we can, but we must get to that turret. Come,\u201d Aldric called bravely. \u201cWe will not sit here waiting to be slaughtered like scared rabbits.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Without another word, the wizard kicked at the unicorn\u2019s flanks and pounded down the hill towards the castle and the gathering hordes with his staff held high.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Zac stared at Beth.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not leaving me here! I\u2019m safer with you than alone,\u201d was all the girl said.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Knowing they had no choice, Zac hung on to Beth firmly with his left arm. Drawing Solstice with his right hand, he set his unicorn galloping after the retreating wizard.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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