Hansel and Caesar were dismayed to hear Sam’s warning so soon. They listened to the eerie din of a distant battle and shuddered. “I did not expect this,” said Caesar. “But let’s see how great their numbers are after we’re through with them. Hansel, prepare the boulders!”
A line of heavy boulders was placed at the top of the slope along the length of the trench, and these massive spheres of devastation were suspended by leather slings. Above them more archers were hidden among the trees, and more still behind the waiting rocks. The swarming sound of the enemy rose in a spine-chilling crescendo.
“They will see us,” said Sam. “Won’t they hold back, or try and find some other way around?”
“Not if we cast a shadow over the entire encampment,” Caesar replied. “It will be difficult, but it is vital that we are not seen until the time is right!”
And so, Sam and Caesar and Hansel focused their efforts on the encampment and from the eyes of the approaching Goblyns there was nothing there save for more empty forest. It was dark, and the mind of a Goblyn was easy to trick. The storm crawled forward in staggering numbers.
Caesar and the Netherian captains raised their hands, and like the captain in the tree tops, they waited for the moment to strike. “Steady men,” Caesar urged them. “Wait until they are close.”
Sam shivered as she felt the eyes of a larger Goblyn spear right through her but see nothing – they were completely hidden.
“Now!” Caesar cried.
The boulders were released and with a snap of Caesar’s fingers they burst into a ravaging flame, tumbling and bouncing down the slope and crushing all the Goblyns unfortunate enough to be caught in their path. The squabbling masses were slain in their hundreds, and many burned and shied away from the blinding fire.
A storm of arrows rained down upon them now, clipping off the survivors. Finally, the dark masses began to thin down to a trickle, and the movement of the enemy slowed.
“Did we beat them?” asked Hansel, a little surprised.
Caesar’s grave eyes glared into the dark forest, searching for something that they could not see. The drums boomed once again. “No, this is only the beginning. They wanted us to use up our arrows on the weakest of their forces.”
The next wave came suddenly and without mercy; hundreds of large armoured Goblyns unlike anything they had encountered back home sprung out from behind the trees. Many suffered four or five arrows before stumbling into the dirt. They ascended over the slope in a mass of howls and swords and engaged Caesar and his men. Hansel’s blade rose and fell in a silver gleam, and the blood of Goblyns soaked the earth around him. Caesar blew a horn and called for support, but it was clear to all that the outer trenches were soon to be lost.
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