The Hammer Falls

Dawn of Chaos: Hell Gate - Chapter 9

“All right then,” Kay said. Her voice rose as she called out orders. “Kenn and Jean scout ahead, right and left flanks. Go.”

Two soldiers ran out the door and disappeared onto the road outside.

“The rest of you: escort formation,” she continued. “The prince and princess in the center. Nothing gets near them that hasn’t gone through you first.” She pointed to two men with bows. “Archers with me at their side. We go to work if the ring is broken. We give the scouts a ten count, and then hoof it.”

The seconds ran by quickly as she counted them down. Then she glanced at Randia. The princess nodded.

“Okay — Guards of Company Twenty-Three! Move out!”

The Trap is Sprung

A long line of warrior priests marched down the road from the Cathedral. The Knights of the Light had already reached the King and Queen and formed a hastily assembled guard around their position. They were the elite of their order, mounted warriors with great skill at arms and strength in the Divine Magic. The wall of white fire that routed the demons had been their conjuring, driving like a wave before them as they galloped in to attack.

“Your arrival could not have been more timely, Captain General,” Danor said. He clasped Darren’s arm. “The Crown welcomes your aid with all its heart.”

“It is my duty and my honor, Your Majesty,” he replied. “Together, perhaps we can finally strike a blow against these monsters!”

The Queen embraced him and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Augustus,” she said. Her voice was thick with emotion. “We were despairing of anyone coming to help.”

“All except the King,” General Banderman said. His voice rang with pride and admiration. “He kept driving us on, still believing when the rest of us had lost faith.”

Augustus Darren bowed his head. The others saw with surprise that there was a look of shame on his face, but anger burned brightly in his eyes as well.

“I deeply regret the delay, Your Majesty,” he said. “There was a … disagreement among the leadership at the Cathedral about what action should be taken.”

Elena frowned. “What happened?”

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