Page 120 of An Archer's Reckoning

The Mages’ tower bloomed with a luminous glow, heralding the presence of the city’s powerful defender. A second later, the familiar swirl of a shield appeared.

The volley of stones ceased immediately.

My instructions were explicit: When the shield appeared, whether protecting tower or gate, cease fire. When it vanished, resume. The bombardments were a diversion, and I wanted the enemy, particularly their Mages, consumed with stopping those stones while I focused elsewhere.

When I arrived at the southwestern corner of the city where catapults battered the walls, a single tower peered down, its torch flickering in the wind.

“Damn tower’s Enchanted just like the wall, Your Majesty,” a gruff sergeant with an unkempt beard and mustache shouted.

“Focus all your catapults on the tower,” I ordered.

“But, Your Majesty . . .”

“Just do it, Sergeant. I know you will not damage it, but I need the men in the tower distracted. Do not stop until I return.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The man removed his cap and scratched his wispy hair. “It’ll take us a minute to get the targets reset.”

“You have two minutes. When the assault resumes, I will head on foot toward the wall between those towers.” I pointed between the lonely tower in the corner and the one a couple of hundred paces to its north. The space between was pitch black in the starless night. “Do not be surprised when you see fog rise before the wall. Keep hitting that tower.”

The sergeant gripped the brim of his cap in salute. “Yes, Your Majesty. By your command.”

Chapter 49

Velius

Istumbled, bleary-eyed, into the tower’s chamber, bracing myself against the doorframe with one hand.

“I do not know how you’re still standing. The moment I closed my eyes, the damn stones started falling again.” The words were strained through heavy breaths.

“I can’t hold much longer. Will the tower’s Enchantments stand?” Declan asked.

I nodded. “They should, at least for . . .”

An amber glow flared through the window, freezing me midsentence. I raced to the window and stared in shock, as the city’s wall was now bathed in a putrid aura.

Seconds later, a dozen perfectly coordinated boulders slammed into the western gate, obliterating its logs.

The city shook.

The roar was deafening.

“Shift to the gate!” I screamed too late as the gate’s two watch towers took direct hits.

The towers teetered, then fell onto the soldiers below.

Another avalanche far to the south drew my eye. I watched in horror as the torchlights of the southern watchtowers winked out and their structures vanished from view. I couldn’t see the wall from this distance but knew it was probably gone, too.

“Arch Mage, they’ve breached the southern wall. Órla says both towers have fallen,” Declan shouted as stones slammed into the Mages’ tower again. “Where do I defend?”

“Protect our tower. No matter what happens outside. The towermustnot fall!” I darted from the window to the door. “I will send Mages to strengthen you.”

Declan stood alone at the center of magic’s circle, power blazing from his palms, as I raced down the stairs.

Chapter 50

Ethan

“ATTACK!” echoed down the eternal line of Kingdom soldiers that spanned the full length of the western wall.

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