As he paced about the wall, Tarian stopped when he came to a devastated section. He ran his fingers along the shorn stone and glanced at the boulder, now entrenched in the ground just behind the wall. Thankfully, the defenders stationed there evaded the massive rock hurtling past them, saved only by a defender’s shout. Tarian shook his head and turned back to the swelling ranks of monsters.
He blinked, uncertain if the distant tree had moved. But upon a second examination, he confirmed that it was not only moving, but massive. His shoulders slumped, heavy with the realization of the implications. He pulled out his telescope and searched for answers. As he followed the steady stream of creatures, he came to the largest troll he’d ever seen.
He spun around, his eyes wide. “I want the five best marksmen we have.”
The soldier nodded and ran to find the people Tarian requested. After a brief pause, Sherry stepped forward, placing a hand on Tarian’s shoulder. “What’s the problem now?”
“They’re gathering for another assault,” Tarian said as he resumed his examination of the undulating army sprawled across the ground. He studied the trees’ march again, focusing on how their marching roots disrupted the swarming horde. “Lloyd, are you there?”
“No,” Sherry said.
“Go get him! I need to talk with him.”
“Yes, sir,” Sherry said as she raced for the quartermaster.
Tarian lowered the telescope and glanced at the defenders manning the wall. Dejection marked each defender’s face. Tarian knew that without help, they wouldn’t be able to hold the wall. Tarian swallowed a lump and offered a silent prayer that Caleb and Keldon could bring help.
As he stared into the deadly mass of creatures, someone tapped his shoulder and asked, “You wanted me, Tarian?”
“How many missiles do we have left?” Tarian asked with a groan as he turned toward Lloyd. “You never gave me a clear count after the initial barrage.”
.
.
.
To continue reading the story, click here to head over to Wattpad.