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The conical roof of the East Watchtower rose over the horizon. Though dwarfed by the highest peaks of the Kolossos Range, it stood proud, and Elodi was relieved to finally set her eyes upon it. Beyond hope, the guards had held back the aralaks’ onslaught. But holding the pass had cost the defenders dear. Many fine soldiers had fallen, and many more lay injured, never to bear arms again, and perhaps not all due to physical injuries. Elodi gave a silent thanks to the Three that the spiders had retreated. Had her company fought the aralaks after a grueling ride, the casualties would have been high; casualties Elodi could ill afford.

The mound of the tangled aralak dead, turned her stomach. Even in defeat, they presented a hideous sight. And the defenders’ gaunt faces confirmed what an appalling struggle they had endured. Yet it appeared the inexperienced reserves had suffered the most. The glazed look in their eyes had chilled Elodi as she rode through the gate. The ancient wood bore the scars of the ferocious attack. She had flinched at the sight of the claws embedded in the gate, unable to imagine the fear the young reserves had suffered.

Elodi dismounted and greeted the commander. ‘Captain Waldryn, I believe.’ The Archonian was the same age as Gundrul, yet he too looked shaken by the battle. She clutched his hand. ‘I congratulate you on what must have been a hard-earned victory.’

The old guard tried to stand to attention, but failed. ‘Hard-earned indeed, ma’am. But I’m not sure I can claim a victory.’

‘How so? The pass still holds.’

Waldryn glanced to the injured. ‘Just when I thought we were done for, they suddenly stopped. Some fought among themselves, the rest scurried away as if called elsewhere.’

Elodi remembered the morning after her first so-called victory at Calerdorn. ‘Then let us give thanks they have gone, regardless of the reason.’ She turned to the east. ‘But we must remain ready in case they return.’

Nyomae spoke. ‘They’ve retreated. I doubt they’ll come back. They occupy the North Forest.’ Elodi recognized the look as she used her farsight. Nyomae’s knuckles paled as she clenched the reins. ‘They assemble for an attack on Omstrad.’

Elodi’s shoulders sank. ‘How many?’

‘It’s difficult to be exact, but they easily exceed five hundred.’

‘Five…? How can the town possibly defend itself against so many?’

Nyomae dismounted. ‘Toryn and the Amayans are with them. I also see Archonians and First Horse.’

Elodi let her gaze wander towards Omstrad, but she had yet to master the farsight and saw only shadows within the fog. ‘Then I dearly hope they can hold out. If only we could ride to their aid, but both horse and rider need time to recover.’ She looked to the north. ‘And we have to prepare for what I believe will be the main strike.’ Elodi turned. ‘Captain Waldryn. Do those barrels over by that wall contain Shreek’s Rage?’

‘Correct, ma’am. We felt it best to keep them out of harm’s way.’

‘Then I shall place them somewhere they can wreak all the harm we need. Please, Captain, have them loaded onto the wagons. We’ll take them to Roth’s Doom where they’ll serve us better. If Ruan and our forces in the west make it through the pass, you will be hard pressed to set the charges if they’re pursued. And I think it best we keep the way open for now. If our forces make it through, accompany them and ride to Roth’s Doom. If we fail there, the pass becomes irrelevant. That is where we’ll make our stand. Now, are you able to walk me through your defenses? But I’m happy to wait until you’re rested if you require time to recuperate.’

‘Now is fine with me, ma’am. It will take less than an hour to complete a tour this side of the pass, but perhaps… I would be grateful if you allow time for a light supper.’

Elodi and Nyomae had accompanied the captain as he showed them the gate, the inner wall, and then finally the watchtower. Dozens of aralaks had breached the wall to clamber up the ancient tower. But the scars of their attack reached only a short way from its base, perhaps testament of the fine craft of its builders as the spiders had struggled to find a hold. The archers had done well to hamper their ascent, yet many had been dragged out of their windows and tossed to their deaths.

Elodi had visited the west side of the Kolossos Pass on her first journey to Archonholm, but she did not have the time to ascend the tower. Now, despite the situation, she had found a childish delight in the thought of reaching the top. The watchtowers were built in the early days of Draegelan’s reign as Archon, reaching a lofty five hundred feet above the pass. With great effort, the slopes had been hewn to establish a line of sight between the pinnacles of the east and west towers. Thus, in times of trouble, a beacon could immediately warn its twin of danger either side of the Kolossos.

The captain escorted them to the uppermost lookout, then excused himself to oversee the recovery operation below. The two stepped out onto the narrow balcony. Elodi was pleased to see it was fashioned from stone, unlike the precarious wooden structure of the Archon’s Tower. She placed her hands on the low wall and looked out along the pass. While the east was in twilight, the sun still shone brightly in the west, daubing the peaks the same orange as an Amayan blade when stirred. On a day in early spring, and another in late autumn, it was said the sun rose in line with the watchtowers. At dawn, those with a keen eye could see the shadow of the east spire upon its twin in the west. And likewise at sunset, those in the west could look back to see their spire return the honor.

But Elodi had not come up to admire the view. She calculated the birds from Eldamouth should have delivered her message two days ago. She peered as far as she could along the road, hoping to see spear tips catching the setting sun, or glistening bridles of the First Horse, but it was a forlorn hope to expect they would arrive so soon. She turned to Nyomae. ‘How far to the north can you see?’

Nyomae turned. ‘From this vantage point, I should see well into Lunn, possibly as far as the marshes of Lumreek.’ She took Elodi’s hand. ‘Steady yourself. I will take you. We won’t linger long. I sense the presence of warlocks, and they may attempt to influence you to do something you would not live long to regret.’ She nodded over the side. ‘It would be easy for them to convince you to jump.’

Elodi edged back to the wall. ‘Then I would appreciate a brief visit.’ Her vision blurred as they skimmed the steep mountain slopes, flying north through the twilight. They passed the broken fences of Aralak Gorge, then hurtled on towards the Lunn border.

Nyomae’s voice echoed. ‘A fog lies ahead. This is not natural.’ Elodi saw what looked like a great wall dividing the land. At its base, she saw movement along the roads and across the fields. Small bands of wagons streamed south led by the hardy folk who, up until now, had held onto the belief they could survive an assault. But whatever loomed behind the fog had persuaded them it was a false hope.

Elodi knew the answer before she asked. ‘Can you see beyond that wall?’

‘Alas, it is as I thought. Warlocks block the way. I cannot penetrate it unless I call upon my full powers. But I need to conserve my strength for the days to come.’

Elodi groaned. ‘Either these warlocks want to conceal their assembled forces, or… could it be another ruse? We’re all but finished if we assemble at Roth’s Doom while they strike in the west.’

‘Wait. There may be another way. Take hold of the edge. I will bring us out.’ Elodi staggered forward, grateful the wall came up to her chest. Nyomae bowed her head and entered the Song. Her eyes flickered behind her eyelids, but then she also stumbled and grasped the wall’s edge. Nyomae straightened. ‘You are right. They intend to strike on this side. A huge force gathers in Lunn. I sense the presence of three warlocks. And Uleva, Uldrak and Dorlan lead three great armies of Ruuk. And, behind them… a division of Norgog.’

Elodi’s heart sank. ‘Then it will be here. By the Three, Nyomae, if this is a trick to make us believe the main strike comes down the east, what forces gather in the west?’

Nyomae kept her eyes on the north. ‘I am certain this is no deceit. They will attack here. And, judging by the numbers, I cannot think they will see the need to send a force through Borrund to encircle us. They will be confident they have the strength to defeat whatever defense we can mount at Roth’s Doom.’

‘And what of Uluriel? It seems all their commanders are present, except her.’

‘I cannot detect her. If she’s to play a role, it’s not obvious to me.’

Elodi glanced back to the pass. ‘I would rather we knew of her location. If she intends to bring some unknown force…’ Her mind numbed. ‘Can you determine when they will come?’

Nyomae frowned. ‘That I cannot tell. Two of the warlocks are engaged in an act that demands their full attention. I cannot fathom its nature, but it consumes their power.’

Elodi found herself pressing back against the wall. ‘I knew it would come to this, but in my heart, I’d hoped we could stand against them. But I never thought we would face such a formidable foe. And now we must deal with these ghastly spiders. If Omstrad falls and they enter the South Forest, our right flank is exposed.’ She clasped Nyomae’s shoulder. ‘Will we see out the last days of summer? Is this to be our end?’ But Nyomae had no answer.

Elodi turned back to the mountains. The peaks reddened as they caught the last of the sunlight from the west. Movement! She strode around the tower to get a better view of the pass. Less than half a league from the watchtower, a column of knights galloped at speed. At its head she spied a banner. Elodi cried out. ‘Aldorman! Help comes. Our line grows stronger.’