Iridescent scales reflected the morning sun and a snakelike figure emerged from the darkness of the trees. She shielded her eyes briefly from the sun before slithering and coming to the courtyard where the outlaws were. She stared at the small group of people who stood in front of the tunnel entrance to protect the other outlaws who were trying to escape.Eldion gasped upon seeing Verna emerge from between the trees. Wen bit her lower lip as she tried to think what they should do. She knew that the ancient temple would be overrun by the imperial soldiers, but she did not know that it could happen so soon. Shaan was not with Verna and Wen feared for the worst. Verna’s face looked fierce, but Wen could tell from her sad eyes that there was something immensely wrong.

Eldion glanced sideways across the barrier of bricks and stone from the toppled walls of the ancient city and saw the other outlaws trying to stop the onslaught of soldiers from reaching the entrance to the tunnels. He saw Enzir and Lankko using their power to hurtle bolts of energy to the soldiers which immediately stunned them and they fell unconscious to the ground. Their powers were effective in stopping the soldiers, but without the support of Remuel, Casser and the other outlaws, they would be overrun from the sheer numbers of the imperial soldiers. Remuel and Casser fought side-by-side to the surprise of Eldion after Remuel accused his friend of numerous acts including stealing from him. Perhaps, the presence of the enemy soldiers made them forget the wrongs of each other although Eldion could not tell how long that would last.

Casser fought the side by side with Remuel and they were able to hold their position against the onslaught of imperial soldiers. Remuel’s remaining outlaws stood their ground, but Casser knew from the sound of their breathing and the way that they held their weapons that they were all exhausted. Casser looked around him and saw the outlaws with their mouths open as they tried to catch their breaths.“I don’t think we can hold on much longer,” said Casser to Remuel who likewise looked around him at the valiant men and women who stayed behind to hold off the attacking imperial soldiers.“We will have to make our escape soon. I ju

Eldion found the noise of battle disconcerting and he struggled to keep track of all the movements around him. He could see where his friends were as they fought the increasing number of imperial soldiers that reached them. He fought as hard as he could using a long bamboo pole that Wen was able to find for him. He stayed near Wen and were able to incapacitate the few soldiers that were able to breach the line of outlaws led by Remuel and Casser.Eldion could tell from the flashes of light beyond the line of outlaws that Enzir and Lankko were shooting energy bolts at the soldiers while the deafening screech of the mankora was evidence that the giant bird was fighting the imperial soldiers as well. He took a glance and saw the towering figure of Kora. Aside from growing substantially in size, Eldion was amazed at how her appearance had changed as well. He would not have recognized her had Enzir not pointed at her and told Eldion and Wen that it was Kora, changed by the magic e

Casser realized that he would not be able to get through the gap in time and stopped struggling as he reached for his long knife that was dangling from his belt. It felt awkward as he used his left hand to pull his weapon while his dominant right hand was being pulled by Wen and Eldion.“Stop it!” shouted Casser at Wen and Eldion who did not understand why Casser told them to stop. Then, they saw through the gap that the soldier was almost on top of Casser and his evil intent reflected on his face.Casser struggled to get his long knife free. In his haste, the long knife slipped from his hand and slid to the floor towards the approaching soldier. The soldier was caught unawares and slipped when he stepped on the round handle of Casser’s blade. There was a loud thud and Casser looked the collapsed form of the soldier. Then, just from behind the soldier stood Remuel holding his own long knife. He had saved Casser from the attacking soldier.“Cass