Ghaeron roared in fury. Circling above the city of Chulakh, he and Nayara saw the Goblin forces marching toward the high walls. A garrison of Black Knights had mustered atop the wall, watching over the parapet as the Goblins approached. A company of archers prepared their bows, placing themselves in the crenellations to take aim. The Guardians were glad to see the city’s defenses rallied so efficiently. There were more Knights on the way, marching from the South shortly after Randey and Keyla had departed, as well as Companies from the East. The Guardians had stopped at the Citadel on their way North, urging the Na’Himara to gather their forces also and ride to Chulakh. They, too, should arrive shortly, but it was clear that the Goblins would have the first strike. Marching ahead of the Goblin host was a line of ten Alva’himar. There were also more of the robed figures marching on either side, as well as ten more behind, effectively creating a loose rectangle surrounding the army.

Taiya frowned as she walked across the grounds of the Citadel. She had caught a hint of movement in the woods beyond, and her Elven senses raised a feeling of unease. She couldn’t say why. Things had been proceeding with relative smoothness following the death of the Maajira. A group of thirty experienced Sorceresses had been sent off to join in the defense of Chulakh two days prior, and those remaining at the Citadel continued their own preparations for the coming conflict. Taiya had been tempted to accompany them, for she was eager to aid in the battle, but she had promised to remain and aid Ciara in her research. Ciara had yet to find a viable antidote to the small creatures’ venom, even with Taiya’s assistance. However, she believed she would find the solution before long. She spent virtually every waking minute in her laborium poring over the problem. Taiya had been assisting her, but had decided that she wished to take a walk. The Jivanaar preferred open spaces to confinement

The Dragons The Elders: Neyalha – (Nay-ALL-a) Gheyaral – (GAY-arall) The Guardians: Nayara – (Nay-AHR-ah) Ghaeron – (GHER-on) The Inhabitants of Edon The King and Queen Emerik (EH-merik) and Adalyn (AD-alin) The Grenyaar – (GREN-yahr) (The Black Knights) Sira – (SUR-ah) – Title for female Knights Sir Randey Edal – (Randy EE-dal) Captain Reidar Edal – (RIE-dar EE-dal) Sira Damara Edal – (Dam-AR-a EE-dal) Sir Braedon Soril – (BRAY-don SO-ril) Blade Master Kolton Stent – (KOLL-ton Stent) First Commander Storr Raegos – (Store RAY-gos) Sir Kale Andros – (Kale AN-drose) Sir Owin Jasir – (Owen JA-seer) Sira Torila – (Tor-ILL-ah) Sira Andreya – (An-DRAY-ah) Sir Andric – (AN-drik) Sir Garath – (GAR-ath) Sir Devlyn – (DEV-lin) Sir Milos – (MEE-los) Sir Garett – (GAR-ett) The Na’Himara – (Nah-Him-AR-ah) (The Sorceresses) Founder: Keyalla – (Kay-AL-ah) Maajira (Mah-JEE-rah): Vedila – (Ve-DEE-lah) Keyla – (Kaylah) Breya – (Braya) Ciara – (SEE-arah) Luceya –