When Twins War: Book I

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Sephobwe's message proved true. As the contingent from Fort Maghtani neared the Meadow, they saw scores of torches alighting nearby dunes. It appeared that these were coming from south, east and west.

"What are these?" Turrik asked.

"I am speechless!" Arsheen said. "And I pray that I am wrong! But these seem, to me, to be goblin hordes!"

"Surrounding the Meadow!?" Poiternium cried.

Arsheen glanced at him wide eyed and shrugged his shoulders.

Behind them, the dunes under the star-full sky glimmered with a light that was racing through them, the light ascending upwards and downwards as if the desert itself had changed into a golden, rampant sea. With alarm they made further haste to the Meadow to be greeted by Tarkanyon and Chrisolian who rode towards them.

"Quick!" shouted Tarkanyon as soon as they were in earshot. "A horde from the south is gaining! Hurry!"

The goblin's spurting trumpet sounded from the west, followed by the east. The Outlanders and Arsheen's men streamed next to the walls of the Meadow — the best way in was still through the south gate, but a southern trumpet sounded and they knew that it was almost time: the goblins would be upon them.

Indeed, as they came around to the gate the goblins flung themselves into battle, snarling and shooting poisoned arrows, a smell like rotting flesh poisoning the air. The Outlanders smacked some of them down easily enough with their bo's, but those who were at the rear began to suffer as the goblins from the east began to close on them as well.

The gate was opened as Chrisolian commanded for arrows to be shot from inside the Meadow. Their order had already been followed, the fourth round of arrows already being shot under Cadell's command.

"We hold them off!" shouted Cadell to his own.

The other Outlanders flew out the gate and created a bubble around those who were entering in. They were joined by Turrik and Poiternium and Arsheen, while the others went inside. Cadell stayed inside to command his bowmen. But, soon, he joined them on horseback with some of his knights.

They enlarged the bubble, dodging arrows and spears being flung at them. Once all were in the Meadow they retreated and closed the gates, forming a wall of bowmen who shot through the archway and created enough firepower to prevent the goblins from approaching further.

The goblins waited for the full strength of their armies to converge. Inside the Meadow there was confusion and panic. No one had expected this. Arsheen was befuddled, murmuring how he had never seen or heard of this in all his life. Outside the goblins snarled and blew their trumpets, but they would not come closer. Not yet.

"They do still fear the Meadow," Tarkanyon said as he observed them. "But I am unsure for how long."

Far in the distance, towards the south, great wooden catapults were being drawn towards them. The goblins were waiting and soon enough they would launch their most defiant attack.

Inside the Meadow they commanded and organised the bowmen as the catapults drew nearer. Then the time came. The catapults were close enough to bombard the walls, but not yet close enough to be reached with arrows. There was a flash and flicker of many torches around the catapults and then a giant ball of flame caterwauled through the air. The first was joined by many, like falling stars shooting through the night sky. Slowly and ominously the fireballs landed amongst the Meadow, setting trees and plants ablaze.

"They may be afraid of the Meadow, as it stands!" Tarkanyon shouted to Drius who was with him. "But, if it stands in flames -- what then?"

Drius' eyes widened as he realised their predicament. "They are larger in number," he said. "And now, we see, carry greater weapons! But I see no recourse except to battle them bravely and straight. Otherwise, we shall all burn here in the Meadow!"