Deca.n.u.s Zehr had drawn one of his two swords into his left hand, a pilum still in his right.

Justus sat up, peering off into the distance that Zehr faced. He didn't see anything, but he felt the tension and killing intent emanating from the Deca.n.u.s' aura.

"Deca.n.u.s..." Justus gulped, "What's--"

"--Hold, young Munifex," Zehr commanded. "Brother-Immortal, which group is to the immediate west?"

"Should be... Scoutmaster Constantina's group," Modestus knelt with a rigid spine and narrowed eyes. Sweat matted his grey curls to his forehead. "She's a mean shot, the kobolds will--"

"Hold, Brother-Immortal." Zehr interrupted again, "Send word to Deca.n.u.s Ferrutius. Only allow the Bronze-Rankers to engage in the first wave."

Modestus narrowed his eyes, "That foregoes the s.h.i.+eld Wall, Deca.n.u.s."

Zehr nodded, "Go. Prioritize speed."

The old man sucked air through his teeth before nodding. He got up and dashed away, faster than a man his age had a right to.

"Rena."

"Yes, Deca.n.u.s," The archer nodded. Her pupils shook, her nerves frayed. There was something in the way that Zehr was acting that put her on edge.

"Meet with Deca.n.u.s Constantina. You'll fall under her command for now," Zehr ordered.

A thin crease appeared between Rena's brunette brows, "But Deca.n.u.s? I want to stay with--"

Zehr cut her off, "--Keep the high ground, if possible. If you are spotted, reposition. If you are spotted, do *not* engage."

"Y-yes, Deca.n.u.s," Rena grit her teeth, her eyes full of worry.

"s.h.i.+eld Maiden Gianna."

"On my honor, Deca.n.u.s," the blonde woman placed her hand against her heavy metal armor.

"Try your best to keep up with me," The Deca.n.u.s ordered, as he began to stretch his legs. His thick, muscled calves bulged with energy.

"D-deca.n.u.s, what about me?" Justus asked.

Zehr narrowed his eyes, causing Justus to reflexively shrink back. He spoke in slow, measured words, "Listen. Closely. Young Munifex."

Justus averted his eyes from the pressure Zehr was emitting. He nodded hurriedly.

The Deca.n.u.s leaned close, forcing Justus to meet his golden-eyed gaze, "You may engage only after Gianna and I do..."

The green-haired Deca.n.u.s' words echoed in his brain. His mind was racing quickly... More kobolds were coming. Rena was sent away. Modestus was sent away. Gianna was going away. He had to do something. s.h.i.+te. What was it? He just--

The Deca.n.u.s grabbed onto Justus' armor and pulled him close. His forehead b.u.mped against the cool metal of Zehr's helmet.

"Say again, your orders," Zehr asked.

Justus opened his mouth, searching for the words, "I... I'm only to engage... after you and Gianna."

Zehr released him, "Keep saying that in your head, 'lest you forget. What are your orders?"

"Only engage... after you and Gianna, Deca.n.u.s."

Rena bit her lip, "Deca.n.u.s... What's wrong? What's changed?"

Zehr turned to her, "Nothing, young lady. Extra precautions. What were your orders?"

Rena pointed to herself, "Oh, me? I um... Meet with Deca.n.u.s Constantina and her scouts."

"And?"

Rena furrowed her brows, glancing at Justus before looking back to Deca.n.u.s Zehr, "Uh... Keep the high ground?"

Zehr lowered his voice, strong, demanding, brooking no exceptions, "Prioritize safety. Reposition. Risk nothing. What are your orders?"

Rena repeated her orders with more confidence.

Zehr stood up, no longer bothering to hide his voice, "Gianna, s.h.i.+eld Maiden of Rhodok!!"

Gianna stood up and loosed a silvery aura of protection, "I hear you, Deca.n.u.s!!"

Justus felt his senses sharpen and his skin tighten and harden as if it were a thick leather. Was this... one of her s.h.i.+eld Maiden abilities?

"With me!!" Zehr dashed forward like a silvery hammer thrown by the Flame itself.

...

One-With-Spots held out his left outstretched paw over his shoulder, signaling his warband to stop.

The dark-blue furred spear-dog, Scruffy growled in annoyance, "(Bones and biscuits, One-With-Spots, we're not even--)"

"(Not another yip. Something's wrong,)" One-With-Spots barked. His ears pepped up, listening. There was something. Something was approaching-- and fast.

Sun-Fur turned left and right, sniffing the air for hostiles. He knew not to argue. The old dog trusted One-With-Spots' judgment even more than his own nose.

One-With-Spots' eyes widened abruptly, "(They're here!!)"

He dashed forward. A Tyrion pilum was hurtling through the air towards him. He grabbed onto his iron blade, gripping it hard with his paw.

"⌈Moon-Fang h.e.l.l Slash⌋!!"

One-With-Spots swung his iron sword, ink-black energy trailing his blade and launching forward. The thrown pilum disintegrated against the oppressive mana.

"(AMBUs.h.!.+)" Sun-Fur howled.

"(Alpha, no!!)" A brown-furred s.h.i.+eld pup pushed Scruffy out of the way.

A second thrown pilum pierced through the pup's side and he collapsed to the ground with a whimper, "(Alpha... Tell my wife...)"

"(Fido? FIDO!!)" Scruffy fell to his knees, barking angrily and shaking the fallen pup, "(Wake up, you son of a b.i.t.c.h!! WAKE UP, G.o.dS-d.a.m.n IT!!!)"

His kobolds fell into a panic, grabbing onto their weapons.

Sun-Fur barked orders, "(Archers, CONTACT FRONT!!)"

"(Get the h.e.l.ls up, Scruffy! He's gone!!)" One-With-Spots yelled.

"(You don't understand, One-With-Spots!! I promised his mother I'd bring him home safely!!)"

Tears were pouring down Scruffy's cheeks. The hardest thrice-d.a.m.ned son of a b.i.t.c.h One-With-Spots had ever known was mewling like a newborn pup.

"(You'll bring back his body and the bones of the enemy!! But You! Need! To. GET. UP! NOWWWW!!!!!)" One-With-Spots yelled into Scruffy's ear.

Scruffy stood, slavering and growling. He yelped and barked and howled like a mad dog, "(I'll KILL you, human sc.u.m!! I'll crunch my teeth into your bones and p.i.s.s ON YOUR REMAINS!!)"

The humans were closing in, fast. The heavy clank of an armored female was sprinting forward as fast as a horse-drawn wagon.

This was it. These were the ones that hurt his daughter. These were the humans that he needed to defeat.

Was she alive? Was it too late to save her?

It didn't matter. Just like Scruffy, he had to fight-- he had to live to see the next morning's sun. He'd nurse Half-Ear back to health or he'd bury her.

But before that, he'd tear out the throats and bellies of every human that dared to get in his way.

"(With me, Blood Paw Tribe!!)" One-With-Spots yelled, pointing his sword forward. "(Howl!!! AS ONE!!!)"

The Iredar of the Blood Paw Tribe howled their battlecry, "(BLOOD! DEATH! AND VENGEANCE!!)"