aThank you, Master,a Lash said with sigh of relief.

Alianaas original plan was to kill most of Odifas group, saving only her daughter and a couple others to bring a few demons from the abyss. These machines were a new threat as long as they were fighting against her. They would serve her well if she could capture them. To do so, she would need many demons, and that meant many souls to send into the abyss so the demons could come forth into their bodies. Her own slaves would not gain Luciferas favor enough to get the strongest demons. Her daughter, and live enemies cast down, would gain that favor.

As she pondered how to do it, Grief arrived. One of her guards explained the situation to him.

aGrief, find my daughter in the caves below. I want to know exactly where they are and how many are with her. Once you have that information, meet us in the temple.a aYes, Master. What of these machines? They could very well make it to the city.a She waved her hand, dismissing the thought. aThe city is nothing; my daughter being caught alive is everything.a Grief pressed his point. aMaster, we have much invested in the city. If we lose it, it will take years to recover. The war in Elrad needs the spears and creatures we make here.a Her first impulse was to smash him across the face for questioning her, but he was right--they did need the city to keep sending Hans his weapons.

There was one sure way to stop these infernal machines. Before she began creating vlaks and pilgyns, she had used to cast magic into arrows that allowed them to pass through steel to strike flesh. It was ironic that for all the power she commanded now, it took a simple spell to stop her enemy.

aI will take care of the machines. Gather the best bowmen we have.a ***

Tayan stood atop the command shack, shielding his eyes from the late-afternoon sun. In the distance, he saw a dragon flying low. It dropped to the ground miles ahead. Searching the sky, he found another one heading for the same area. They were landing on this side of the lake, apparently summoned to help the retreating enemy.

General Cooper called up to him. aMalord, all the wagons that still operate have full water tanks. Weare using the wood from the disabled ones to fill the bins. We will be ready to go tomorrow morning.a He looked down at the general, who was leaning out one of the windows. aHow many did we lose?a aCaptain Nylesas battlewagon is stuck in that fort, wedged on a mound. One tractor is on its side, and another has been too badly damaged to repair. The damage to the others is minimal--bent plates and broken track belts.a Tayan had seen the one tractor go up--a spear had gone through a window, exploding inside. The steel plating had been ripped apart, killing the men inside instantly. Considering all the spears that had been thrown at them, they had come through the battle very well. Todayas fight was over, though, and he was thinking about the one to come.

aThere are dragons to the north, so keep a boiler hot on each wagon. Pass the word to sleep in shifts and maintain a good watch. Theyall probably come at us after dark.a aYes, Malord,a the general said, and disappeared inside.

On the wagon below him, Ellie stood beside one gun barrel with her head laid against it. Tracks in the black scorch marks left by spearsa landing on the casing showed where she had walked on her inspection of the cannons. She called into the command shack, aCaptain Angler, the right cannon is bent. I donat think it will be much good past three hundred yards.a aVery well,a he called back. aNote it and use it accordingly.a The turret hatch opened, and Bart stuck his head out. aEllie! We have two good sighting units, where do you want them?a aLeft and middle,a she told him. aHang on, Iam coming down.a Although Tayan waved to her, Ellie pretended not to see him. She kept her gaze fixed on the hatch. After she was in, she slammed it shut.

aLord Tayan! Governor Stazor and Lord Zodiac are here!a someone yelled from the ground.

He climbed down from the roof onto the main body. Walking to the edge, he swung onto the ladder and joined the knot of men waiting for him.

Stazor was first to shake his hand. aLord Tayan, I must say you proved me wrong about these wagons. I was never so glad to see such ugly piles of metal.a aIam sure General Cooper appreciates that.a He smiled back then, offering his hand to Zodiac, said, aGood to see you. Tell Odif I have my bent stick up in the command shack.a Zodiacas grin faded. aWeare glad to see you. Iam afraid Odif isnat here.a aSheas gone scouting?a Zodiac took a deep breath. aShe split from our army weeks ago, took half the Company with her. She was heading straight for the city. I tried to stop her, but you know how she gets.a aWhy would she do a dumb thing like that?a Zodiac shook his head sadly. aShe insisted that she had to fight the demon herself. Gloredaniel came by to let us know they had already made contact. She also told us you were dead. If I know Odif, sheas going right into the demonas lair.a He knew Odif, too--when she got an idea in her head there was no changing her mind. A sick feeling began to rise in his stomach. aSheas keeping it busy for us,a he suggested hopefully.

aUntil it kills her,a Zodiac finished. aShe told me she knows it will. She believes thatas the only way to stop it.a aBy getting herself killed. Please tell me why she thinks that.a Zodiac leaned against the side of the wagon, propping his crutch in front of him. He blew out a tired breath. aOur wizards had a vision. Odif took it to mean you and her would try to kill the demon, and fail. Once that happened then it would be destroyed by the third hammer.a Tayanas legs felt weak. Because of a vision, she was running out to commit suicide. He gripped the ladder with one hand. He wanted to scream, he wanted to find her and beat the daylights out of her for even thinking she needed to die just to fulfill some damned vision. aWhen was the last time you heard from them?a aGloredaniel visited us two days ago. The demon came, and they beat it off. Best I can figure, theyare ahead of us, off to the west.a He knew Odif could be pigheaded at times. Hopefully, she hadnat walked off by herself. aWhoas with her?a aMy brother,a Zodiac snorted. aHe was the first to follow her. Jo-Jo, Entaurus, Gloredaniel with a half-dozen elves, Theo, Hutch, Shilo and Mother Frieda. They have a decent group, but if they run into things like we have...a He let Tayan pick up on the rest of that thought.

Tayan did. aTheyare in deep shit,a he sighed. aWho do we have left?a aYou, me, Duncan, Glier and Pynlee. Zit is off getting more help, if heas still alive.a aDamn,a he breathed. He was thinking of a way to get them together, but by what Zodiac told him there werenat that many of them left. For the first time in a long while, the Company was too weak to be an effective fighting force. All he had was General Cooper and his machines.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Cooper come down and stand beside him. aGeneral, get every machine you can ready to move at midnight. I want to be in that city in the morning.a General Cooper gave him a wry smile, aMalord, we need daylight to travel by.a aWeall make light. Every wagon that canat travel will stay back with everyone we donat bring,a Tayan commanded. aAs soon as you can tomorrow attack those defenses theyare putting up.a aWhat about support?a Cooper asked. aSurely you donat plan to leave the smiths behind.a aGet all the towed wagons behind the tractors that can move. Fill them with bowmen. Anyone of elven heritage who can drive, does.a aDo you mean to take cavalry?a Stazor asked.

aNo, just wagons and men. Weall be pushing these wagons as fast as theyall go.a Seeing the looks of disbelief, he explained his tactic. aThe army just north of us is expecting a standard head-to-head battle. After we punch though, theyall be chasing after us. That will break them up as well as draw off the dragons.a aMakes sense,a Zodiac agreed. aYou are thinking of the fight and not trying to find Odif? I know what kind of relationship you have with her.a He knew Zodiac was trying not to give away the fact Odif was his sister. Although she made him so angry he could rip her head off from time to time, she needed his help. He felt that at least he could admit who she was.

aMy sister,a he stressed, ahas gotten herself into a mess, and only she can pull herself out. I am going to wreak havoc on that city and bring it to the ground. If what I do helps her, so much the better.a Zodiac looked satisfied with his explanation. aAll right. Weall follow through in the morning. The priests should be done by then, and we now have this fort to hold any who have to stay behind.a aExcuse me, Malords,a General Cooper said carefully. aWe canat see well, we are not fully prepared and everyone is tired from the dayas fighting. No one follows an all-day battle with another the very same night. This is a terrible time to launch an attacka Tayan eyed him. aThat is exactly why we must.a It had been dark for hours when Tayan addressed the wagon crews. Sitting on the bank by the road with a long line of machines behind them, the crews looked worn. Their faces, however, showed excitement.

The moon was out, and the sky was clear--not the best conditions for a surprise attack, but it would help them see. He noted Amber sat beside Ellie with Captain Angleras crew. They talked, as did many others, until he climbed up onto the buckboard used for a speaking platform. Waiting for the conversations to die out, he scanned the line of machines. Three battlewagons led a line of six tractors. Behind each tractor were three towed wagons filled with men waiting for him to speak.

aI want everyone to know what weare doing so there will be no misunderstanding once we start out,a he called loudly enough for everyone to hear. aEach wagon that can move will stay on the road. If your wagon becomes disabled, get off to the side so others may pass. If your wagon is too badly damaged to shut yourselves in, get out and wait for the last tractor--it will slow down so you can get on.

aThe flag system will not work at night, so keep a close eye on the wagon in front of you. The first two lead wagons have bottles of lamp oil that will be thrown to help light the way when they are needed. We will be moving fast and loud. When we hit the enemyas defenses, we keep going. Cannon crews, use maximum spread to your barrels and use bucket shot only. Shoot at will--if you see something in the dark, blast it. Side cannon men and tractor cannon men, get as many shots as you can into the enemy as we go by. They have dragons; but unless they are close, just shoot at groups and dark areas where groups may be hiding.

aOnce weare past their lines, all steam will be used to move faster. There will be another short briefing for the Wagon Captains before we go into the city.a He looked over the group then yelled, aMount up!a He jumped down and started towards the lead wagon. The crew hesitated, letting him catch up. To his surprise, Ellie walked over to him with Amber by her side.

aIam counting on you,a he told her as she continued beside him.

She nodded stiffly, rubbing her hand over the stump of her wrist. aI am sorry for being angry with you. All I saw was you didnat want me anymore. Sister Amber told me that if you didnat care about me you would not want me to have a better life.a He glanced at Amber and gave her a smile. aSheas right. Thatas what friends do for each other.a aI have many friends now, and I am important,a she continued. aI would never have that, if it wasnat for you.a He put an arm around her and gave her a hug. aIam glad youare happy.a Ellie hugged him back. aIf you ever need anything, let me know.a aRight now, just have good aim,a he told her.

She cast him a smile and started to move off. aI have to get back to my crew.a He waved to her, and she waved back, all smiles. Amber, who was walking slightly behind him, caught up and grinned. aFelt good, didnat it?a aVery good.a He was glad to have Amber here--then it hit him. aWhat are you doing here?a aEach wagon has a priest. I am yours.a He hadnat thought about risking her life. She had decided to go, so he knew trying to send her back was pointless.

aKeep your head down,a he told her firmly. Wracking his brains, he figured out the safest place in the wagon. Boilers could be split open, the command shack could be hit, as could the turret; and the front where the bowmen sat was an invitation to be killed. aIf no one is hurt, stay in between the water tanks. Itas small and warm, but safe,a Anticipating her reaction, he quickly added, aIf you get hurt then who will heal the others?a The way her eyes bored into him, she didnat like the idea of being down below when he was up in the command shack. Thankfully, she didnat argue. aYes, Malord,a she sighed.

They climbed aboard. Besides the five men with crossbows who shot through small slits in the front, six more climbed up. Two walked along the top, settling down behind the turret, and the other four took up window positions in the corners of the command shack. With Tayan, Captain Angler, the driver, the signalman and four extra men, there was barely room to swing elbows.

The signalman watched out a rear window. When he saw the wagon behind him wave a flag out the door, he announced, aColumn is ready to move, Captain.a Captain Angler looked at Tayan, who nodded. He leaned over the sound tube to the engine man. aFull ahead, low gear. Shift to high when we reach speed.a A heavy chug sounded from below then another. The wagon inched forward then began to pick up speed as the chugging increased in frequency. The signalman lit a lantern and lowered it out a back window as the driver watched the road in front of them intently.

Tayan could see just fine. To his part-elven eyes, the landscape stood out as clear as day. He inched closer to the driver. aCan you see where youare going?a Not taking his eyes off the road, the driver nodded. aNot far, Malord, I should be fine as long as the moon stays out.a aIall be right here if you need help.a aThanks, Malord.a aCaptain!a the signalman called out, aThere are boats on the lake headed for the camp.a aThey will have to deal with it,a Tayan told him.

Captain Angler nodded. aIam sure the camp sees them, also.a Tayan turned and watched, fearing that maybe the enemy had the same idea he had. There were a dozen boats spread out, small ones at that. aA raid, on a moonlit night. They must be desperate.a As he watched, a tractor that had been left behind billowed out two clouds of steam. The booming report came to him as the shots sent columns of water up near one of the boats. The other boats began paddling faster and turning.

He returned his attention to the road. aItas nothing, watch ahead.a The cannons in the turret moved as Ellie trained them flat for short range and spread the outside ones to their limit. She then moved them back in then out again.

Captain Angler went to the speaking tube. aSighter, what are you doing?a Ellieas voice came out. aCaptain, the gear sets are a bit rusty, I was having Jacob oil them up.a aVery well,a Angler said. Glancing at Tayan, he said, aShe does an excellent job.a Picking up speed, they traveled through the moonlit night. The driver was doing well at staying on the road. The ground became flatter, almost tabletop flat. The distance in height between the rises and shallows couldnat be more than a few feet. Tayan watched ahead for signs of the enemy. The wind was blowing through the command shack now as the engine man announced, aCaptain, we are in high gear.a aVery well, make best speed.a In the distance, Tayan made out a group of dark lines. aCaptain, are the cannon chambers pressurized?a aYes, standard half-pressure, Malord.a aFill them up, tell Ellie to stand by to shoot.a He pointed to where the lines were growing into figures with feet. aOut there, about six hundred yards. Have her aim and shoot at four hundred.a Captain Angler squinted. aI donat see them.a aMay I?a he asked, moving over to the tube to the turret.

Captain Angler moved to the side. aPlease, Malord.a Tayan watched the shadows as he called down the tube. aEllie, put full pressure in your cannons. Aim for four hundred yards.a aYes, Malord,a she called back. aWhat am I shooting at?a aDo you see those dark lines ahead?a aWait...yes, the ones ahead that look like humps?a aRight. Use all three cannons. After you shoot, bleed the pressure back up so you donat slow us down.a The barrels moved up then close together, the right one a bit closer than the left.

aLord Tayan, I cannot be sure about the right barrel.a aDonat matter, just get it close,a He watched the figures ahead start to move towards the road. Others disappeared as they dropped into depressions.

aReady,a Ellie called.

He waited until he was sure they were at four hundred yards distance. aShoot!a The wagon shook as all three barrels blasted out steam with a boom. Vapor flowed back through the command shack as they ran through their own discharge. The driver squinted. aI canat see!a aJust go straight!a Tayan told him, trying to see through the cloud himself.

The vapor parted. Ahead, the ground lit up into fireballs as spears planted there exploded. In the brief light, he saw a barrier of standing logs across the road and piles of dirt to the sides. Figures flew as the explosions ripped them apart.

aDamn! I really canat see now!a the driver complained.

Tayan pointed. aSee the burning logs? Go straight for them.a They had been trying to trap the road. He wasnat going to let them try again. aEllie! Next volley, stagger your shots. Flat, one and two hundred yards.a aWeare going too fast!a she called back.

aAll right, flat and straight!a The burning barrier was clearly visible as they raced at it. He noted the outline of a few more figures planting things in the road. The barrels moved painfully slow as they were trained. He was waiting to hear she was ready when the barrels blasted out another load. Water vapor was still billowing out as it was backlit by more explosions. Through the haze, he was sure he saw the barrier fly apart.

aReloading!a Ellie cried.

They were almost on it as they cleared the haze. Behind them, the second wagon shot its cannons to the sides. The road was well lit now by grass fires. Logs were scattered in a semicircle beyond the pitted road. A flash of brightness arcing through the air caught his attention.

aSpears! Get down!a he yelled and crouched below the windows.

More cannons spoke behind them then ear-splitting explosions made the wagon shudder. Light filled the shack as at least two spears hit the wagon. They bounced as they ran over the pits then cries of pain arose as fire blew into the command shack. The driver was on the floor, holding his face and screaming.

Getting up, Tayan grabbed the steering levers and looked out the front. Smoke rolled over the top of the wagon, obscuring his sight. He could see flatness ahead, but the road was lost to him. Stealing a look to the side, he noted others were getting up. One bowman was trying to help the driver.

aStart throwing the lamp oil!a he cried over the ringing in his ears.

Behind them more explosions sounded as spears and cannons went off. He didnat think anyone heard him, so he grabbed a bowman and pointed to the oil then made tossing motions. The man nodded and grabbed a bottle of oil with a rag stuffed in the top. Using the lantern that hung out the back window, he lit it and dropped it to mark their track.

Captain Angler staggered to his feet. Tayan shouted he was driving then pointed at the injured driver. The smoke thinned out quickly until only long wisps still came from the right side of the turret. From what he could see, the plating had been ripped open again. By a miracle, he was only a few yards off the hard, flat road. Hauling on the levers, he eased the wagon back on track.

The signalman came up beside him. aMy Lord, the column is still behind us. All wagons made it through!a he shouted, stressing each word. aCaptain Angler is assessing the damage!a Tayan nodded. He felt a shaking in the steering and they had lost some plating, but they hadnat slowed down.

A short time later, Amber appeared out of the interior. She went to the driver and performed her healing. Once she was done, she had him taken below. She talked to Captain Angler then came over and stood beside Tayan.

Her face was covered in sweat, but her forlorn look told him she was also crying. The ringing in his ears had died down, so he didnat quite shout. aEveryone make it?a Amber shook her head. Laying a hand on his shoulder, she said in his ear, aThe turret was hit, no one in it survived. Tayan, Ellie is dead.a He gripped the levers harder as his eyes welled with tears. He ran through memories of the odd looks she gave him when she was confused and that snorting donkey-like laugh she had. For all the horrors she had gone through, he had hoped she would live to enjoy a few years of the freedom she deserved.

aAt least she died free,a he whispered. He stared straight ahead and concentrated on driving. To his comfort, Amber stayed right beside him.

Chapter 23.

Aliana cast her magic over the quivers laid out on the long table. She touched each rawhide sleeve, forcing her magic into the arrows within. Not having her food slave to recharge her energy quickly, she only enchanted twenty. She still had Odif and her daughter to deal with, and that would require a great deal of her strength. To weaken herself before they were in her control was to risk failure, and failure meant being cast back into the abyss to face an angry Lucifer.

Her spells done, she addressed the bowmen who stood on the other side of the table.

aYour arrows will now penetrate the thickest armor. My magic does not include accuracy--you still must hit your targets. Do not waste my magic on long shots. Every one of you will be on the walls or within the city. Stay out of the battle until those machines start passing through the gates,a She waved a hand at them. aYou are dismissed.a The lesser task done, she went directly to her temple, where her best servants waited. Appearing behind her altar in the pentagram-shaped structure, she faced her best two wizards and Lash, who now commanded forty of her strongest hoarcs.

aWhere is my darling daughter?a Lura turned to her with an evil grin. aLoving Master, they have left the lake cavern and are moving into the main tunnel.a aWe are prepared?a aYes, my most beautiful Master.a Aliana looked at every face there. aRemember, you are only to render them unconscious--Lura and I will decide who needs to die. Disobey, and you will suffer the fate I have planned for them.a Lash and the hoarcs muttered aYes, Mastera nervously.

aTake your places.a Turning her back to the door, she leaned against the altar as Lura and Grief made preparations. All there was for her to do now was wait.

They stood pressed against the wall by the entrance to the torch-lit tunnel. Odif, who was in front, slid to the opening and shot a quick peek down the passage. Holding her hands up, she raised all her fingers five times then drew an oval in the air, followed by walking her fingers ten paces. Fifty hoarcs at close range, and they had no solid defense set.

Sam and Thump stayed in place as the others moved closer. Entaurus and Jo-Jo started to cast their spells, leaving the last words and gestures for when they were seen. Checking that everyone was ready, Scorpio drew his sword and nodded.

They spilled out to span the width of the tunnel. Scorpio, Theo, Hutch and Shilo knelt as behind them Jo-Jo and Entaurus lashed out with white bars of magic. The loose mass of hoarcs just had time to realize they were under attack before they were sliced apart by the bright energy. Hoarc dust hit the floor as all but two died instantly. The four men in front raced to finish the dying creatures off then stood ready as the rest of the group caught up. Odif and Gloredaniel stayed alert, ready to cast their own energy as the group formed up and continued down the widening tunnel. At the end was a finely carved wooden door painted with a magic circle around a pentagram.

aThatas it?a Theo asked quietly.

Scorpio looked back at Sam, who nodded. aThatas it,a he confirmed. aWhere are these vlaks that are suppose to be here?a aSome questions you just donat ask!a Shilo hissed.

aThat was too easy,a Odif whispered.

Mother Frieda stared at the far door. aThe demon is in there, and it knows we are here. When we get to the door, Odif and I enter first. Scorpio, Shilo, take our sides. Theo, Hutch, watch out for the others.a They crept down the hall. At each intersection, they peeked around the corner, checking that the way was clear, then moved on to the next. Just before they got to the last intersection, hoarcs piled into the passage from both sides. The lead hoarc held up a clawed hand.

aStop, and we take you alive,a it hissed.

Hutch shot his hands up.

aHold on!a Looking at Theo, he nodded towards the hoarcs with a grin on his face.

aWhat are you doing?a Scorpio blurted.

aNo need to waste magic, trust me.a He grinned and walked towards the hoarcs. Theo followed him, waving for Scorpio and Shilo to come along.

aYou surrender?a the hoarc asked in a menacing tone.

aI got a thing to axe you,a Hutch said brightly.

The hoarcs looked at each other. The leader pointed his sword at Hutch as he approached. aYou surrender, and we take you alive, understand?a Hutch nodded. aBut I still got a thing to axe you.a aWhat?a hissed the hoarc.

The creatureas blade was inches from Hutchas chest. He turned as if to say something to Theo then whipped out with his axe, smashing the hoarcas blade aside. He then stepped in and slashed it deep across its belly. Theo swung his axe, chopping the legs from under the one beside it.

Scorpio and Shilo jumped into the fray on each side. Although outnumbered, they pressed into the mass of hoarcs, who were packed so tightly they couldnat swing their own weapons. The ring of steel and hoarc screams filled the air. Hoarcs died and crumbled, leaving their comrades fighting room. Odif raced down and joined in, using only her sword and her feet.

In a short time the number of hoarcs had dwindled; the last few fought with their backs to the door. Theo and Hutch attacked low, Shilo and Scorpio attacked high. Soon, nothing but dust and scattered swords remained.

They were breathing heavily, but with the exception of a few deep cuts Odif healed for them everyone was fine. Shilo wiped the sweat from his face and grinned at Hutch.

aSo, did you axe him?a Hutch hefted his battleaxe. aYup!a Mother Frieda strode up, her talisman in hand. aAll right, everyone get in position!a Sam looked at the door to her motheras temple. The realization of what they were about to do hit her full force. They were going in and they were all going to die--if they were lucky. The whole time they had been traveling here, she told herself the combined powers of Odif, Mother Frieda and the wizards was enough to defeat anyone. The vast stores of power her mother held she had avoided thinking about.

Now, seeing this door reminded her of how mighty her mother really was. Behind that door was all the strength and trickery of the abyss.

aMother Frieda, a prayer, please?a she pleaded.

Shilo looked back the way they had come and grabbed Scorpio by the arm. aRemember those vlaks you wanted to find?a Frieda looked past Sam to see the vlaks coming at them. aNo time, we go in now!a Frieda and Odif shoved the door open and piled in. Sam wanted to wait, just for a moment. Thump grabbed her arm and towed her through. She looked back to see Jo-Jo shutting the door. Beyond, she got a glimpse of the vlaks coming down the passageway.

aWelcome,a Aliana said pleasantly.

The walls of the temple angled out sharply to surround an altar. Behind it, the demon stood with her hands on her hips, watching them with a sadistic smile. Sam knew that smile--it meant someone was going to be in agony. She knew as well the shape of the temple, and that this was one arm of five that led to the altar.

Ahead, Mother Frieda held out her talisman as she beseeched Leighna to rid them of evil. White power covered them and extended to within a few feet of the altar. Odif concentrated beside her, and green power flooded out to cover Aliana. Swords and axes were out, and the wizards were ready to cast. Aliana offered no resistance; she merely watched them with an amused smile.

A feeling nagged at Sam that this wasnat right. She knew the altar was in the center of the room, but she didnat remember it faced one of the arms. It faced the base, and was part of the stone floor. Behind the altar, the top arm ran straight away from them.

aThe walls are fake!a she cried.

In the next few moments chaos erupted. As Sam shouted her warning, the walls faded to show a mass of hoarcs. Lura and Grief stepped out from behind the walls that made the side arms, speaking their magic. Gloredaniel, who happened to be looking that way, saw Grief and quickly cast her own spell. Luraas hit Entaurus, and his head split open with a bang, showering the others with his living brains. Gloredaniel got her spell off faster than Grief, who erupted in a ball of fire before he could scream the last word.

Jo-Jo saw the wall to his right open and hastily shot a lightning bolt into the hoarcs, dropping most of them into dust. On the left, Theo and Scorpio slashed into the mass that appeared to their side. On the right, the remaining hoarcs and a man in black armor charged.

The hoarcs directly in front of Theo and Scorpio fought them with wooden clubs. The ones behind pitched rocks at the others. Hutch and Shilo, who had turned to the right to face the threat there, got pummeled with stone from behind. Thump did the only thing he could--he put himself between Sam and the rocks, staggering into her as they hit.

Scorpio and Theo hacked furiously, downing hoarcs as fast as they could. Odif tried to focus on stopping Lura and the demon from casting magic. A rock cracked against the back of her head. It didnat stun her but did delay her enough to let Lura disappear then appear again beside Frieda. Grabbing the Motheras robes, the evil elf woman sent electricity coursing through her body.

As Frieda spasmed and opened her mouth in a silent scream, Jo-Jo was hit with a rock, ruining the spell he was casting to destroy Lura. Gloredaniel threw up a shield to protect her from the rain of rock and concentrated on extending it over the group. On the right, two hoarcs grabbed a stunned Hutch by his arms and rammed him into the wall until he went limp. Shilo maintained his defense and killed the hoarc in front of him then lunged over to help Hutch. On the left, Scorpio and Theo kept up the slaughter, slowly driving the hoarcs back.

When Frieda fell to the floor unconscious, Aliana was free to use her power. She threw Jo-Jo into Shilo then sent a blast of mind energy into Gloredaniel that made the elf grip her head and scream as she collapsed.

Thump pushed Sam towards Lura in an attempt to get through the chaos. Heart in her throat, Sam did the only thing she had the wits to--she grabbed Lura and pushed her to the side, right in front of Odif. The druid punched her hard with an uppercut. Lura, who had been prepared to shock Odif next, was lifted off her feet and hit the floor limp.

Gloredaniel died, releasing the magic she had cast in the caverns where the spears were made. In the pitched battle, no one noticed the surroundings begin to tremble. Falling stone from the ceiling added to the rain of rock from the hoarcs.

Hoarcs from the right clubbed Shilo and Jo-Jo senseless as the last one got to Thump and started beating him. On the left, hoarcs mobbed Theo, pressing him down with their weight. Scorpio stumbled back, escaping being pinned and pounded, only to be slammed from the side as Aliana lashed out and sent Odif flying back into him. He regained his feet to take a chunk of ceiling on the side of his head then a hoarc club in his groin. His last swing chopped deep into a hoarc neck, but the one beside it came down square on his head. He collapsed.

Aliana noticed the earthquake and diverted her power to hold her temple together as the rock shook and heaved. She reformed it as the shaking subsided then concentrated once again on her victims.