Everyone was thrown to the floor of the spire after the explosions hit. Maeve looked up and spied a group that started to walk out of the black smoke. Subsequent explosions shook the core of the compound. Just after, a grate in the courtyard opened and tens of goblins poured out into the gardens. They started slashing the mages that were still reeling from the fires. Chaos rolled as one of the council members stepped forward and thrusted their staff in the air. A force like a thunder wave of blue shocks thrusted out and tossed a number of the goblins aside. Halieor said some incantation and a few of the attackers were instantly incinerated.

It seemed like the council and their fellow mages would stifle the attack, but then the silver armored guards turned their staffs on the council. The one they called Markel took out a blade and killed one of the mages that opposed them.

"Markel," the old man shouted. "What is the meaning of this?"

The guard flashed a smile as he and the other traitorous mages surrounded the White Hand faithful.

"Dyurkan is coming for us all," he preached. "We must turn to him now. Join with him, join with me, and join with Astrid to bring back our Lord Dyurkan."

More goblins came pouring into the spire and started to break all the fine objects. The short, green creatures ran every which way, throwing torches on the benches where the council had sat. Desmond looked around in dismay at the scene. The tranquil place they had arrived at earlier today turned into a living nightmare. The goblins had rounded up a number of the mages. The White Hand traitors held everyone else in check. He looked around for a way out , but there was not one.

As if to answer his internal pleas, an arrow wizzed into the ground. As it made contact with the ground, black smoke exploded out.

"Now!" Cynthia came running in with Aiden.

She smashed the butt on her warhammer into Markel. Aiden slid in shooting arrow after arrow at the goblins.

Maeve, Desmond, and the other stood by in shock.

"Don't just stand there, get them!" Aiden shouted.

Desmond unsheathed his sword and pulled his shield from his back. It was just in time as he blocked a firebolt from one of the dark mages. He came hand to hand with one of them as he swung his sword. The mage ducked and grabbed Desmond's arm.

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"Ah!" Desmond shouted and dropped his sword.

The mage's hands glowed bright orange as she squeezed. The woman smiled as Desmond fell to his knees in pain. She wound up for a finishing strike.

Then, an arrow pieced the dark wizard, and she dropped instantly. Desmond looked to see Aiden giving him a nod. He smiled, but immediately winced and looked down to his arm. It was smoldering as his gauntlet was melted and skin was burned.

"Get the artifact, go no!" Markel commanded.

Maeve saw the goblins making their way to a door on the spire. She ran to stop them, but a ball of fire was hurled to her feet. It exploded and threw her on her side.

She looked up and saw the goblins pouring through the doorway. Her body ached and blood trickled down from her forehead. She looked around for help, but the council members and Gloria were busy fending off a group of dark mages. Desmond and Aiden were running after another company of goblins who were attacking a group of novices. Cynthia was locked in single combat with Markel. Fire and blue sparks flew around as they traded blows.

You have to do this yourself, she thought and she grunted and pushed herself to her feet.

Maeve ran after the goblins who were hooting and laughing as they ran away. She got to the doorway and saw a wooden staircase that stretched high into the spire.

Infiero, she wound up and shot a bolt of fire high on the staircase.

The stairs burst asunder. An explosion caused splinters of wood to fall down, along with the company of goblins.

Maeve fell back against the wall and smiled. Their way up was blocked. The staff was safe.

It seemed as if the attacked was stymied and that the White Hand would hold.

"Someone, the lift!" Gloria shouted.

A dark mage could be seen behind the high council bench. After a pale, blue glow, they started to rise on a slab of stone.

"Get him, get him," Gloria shouted.

The mage conjured a shield that blocked a barrage of fire and arrows. Before long, they had disappeared above the enchanted ceiling.

"How do we get up there?" Desmond shouted.

"Another lift, take my key," Halieor said as he gave over a stone. "Behind my bench."

Maeve came up behind her brother. "Let us go together," she said with a nod.