The city of Unari could be seen in the distance and Cara’s heart leapt in her chest. “We’ve made it.” she thought. “Please don’t be too late.”

Their horses were nearly falling from exhaustion but she pushed them even further, praying she didn’t run her’s to death. Neighing in protest, the horses continued at their current speed, breathing heavily.

It was nearly night time and she could see three thin pillars of smoke on the walls. “Please be in time,” she whispered.

The city seemed to be quiet and unmoving which shot fear through her whole body, anxiety, and worry taking over her thoughts. Her mind was so focused on reaching the city that she completely missed dozens of black figures heading straight for them.

“Your majesty!” one of the ten guards shouted. “In front of us!”

Cara immediately pulled her mind to reality and looked to see them. Red eyes bobbed up and down as the creatures ran toward them. A different kind of fear sent a shiver down her spine.

“Turn around!” she ordered.

Skidding to a halt, Cara and her ten guards veered to the left, going nowhere, in particular, only heading away from the monsters. To her dread, the red-eyed creatures turned to follow them and her heart sank.

The horses were already on the brink of collapsing and now they were being chased by an unknown band of animals. “Were these the creatures Gus Opin often spoke of?” she asked herself.

To her horror, they froze at the edge of a rock cliff, thirty feet below was the ground, and going around would take them into the path of their pursuers.

“Dismount!” she yelled. “Chase the horses away, they might follow them instead of us.”

Quickly, they all dismounted and smacked the horse's hides making them run away as Cara and the soldiers hid behind rocks and anything they could find. Their hope was short-lived as they saw the creatures follow the horses for a moment then turn toward them once again.

“Captain?” she whispered. “Can you fight them?”

He looked at her, eyes determined, “We will protect you with our lives.” he avoided the question. “To arms!” he shouted as they drew his sword and stepped out of the hiding place to confront the enemy.

She didn’t know what they were but the creatures pursued them like bloodhounds. “Were they following their scent?” she asked herself. “Or are they hunting us?”

Cara watched as the Thrak drew closer then she remembered the name Gus had said a thousand times. She had never believed him, now she faced them, and the terror began to set in.

“I can't die like this,” she whispered. Her heart surged, wishing she could see Xerath one last time but doubted they would survive the night.

She counted fifteen of them and two larger ones remained in the back. Bravely, her ten guards huddled around her pulling up their swords and whoever had a shield braced themselves. Those without shields, Cara knew wouldn’t last long.

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Screeching from the Thrak and yells from her guard made her feel utterly helpless as her loyal men fought to protect her. Watching them fight, she prayed for their safety and victory over these aliens.

To her horror, Cara watched as two men were immediately taken out by four Thrak. Those were instantly killed, however, but more attacked without hesitation. Her captain howled in rage while swinging his two-handed sword, cleaving two of the aliens in half.

Apart from the captain, the men without shields, like Cara had guessed, were quickly dispatched. Their bodies ripped apart and bones cracking, she screamed in terror at the sight of one man’s head being crushed from a bite.

Four soldiers remained as eight more bloodthirsty creatures remained. A thin wiry one slipped past them from the side and lunged for her, teeth and claws bared. Screaming, Cara jumped backward, getting dangerously close to the cliff edge, and felt a sharp pain in her side.

Blood soaked her riding attire, along with a long slash across her forearm. “Your majesty!” the captain bellowed and cut it’s head off.

Cara’s horror continued as huge bone-like spikes were shot from the two largest creatures, piercing her captain’s chest and throat right before her eyes.

He looked at her, eyes wide, and gurgled blood from his mouth as he was launched off his feet and over the cliff. The force of the spikes sent one more guard flying to his death and Cara shivered in terror as the beasts drew closer.

The two remaining guards, both with shields backed away, huddling closer to their queen and with looks of fear and hopelessness.

Before the Thrak went in for their final attack, a loud growl echoed over the land, piercing her ears along with the creatures who were shaken by the sound. They began shrinking in fear from the roar which distracted them from their prey.

An enormous Vog came crashing over them, uprooting small trees in the process. He charged straight for the larger two and pummeled them with ease. Crushing one with a large paw, he took the other in his jaws and snapped it in two, black blood spraying everywhere.

Cara, along with her two remaining guards yelped in fear from the sight.

The Vog was attacked by the remaining Thrak in a desperate attempt to take the hulking creature down, though their claws and teeth had little hope of penetrating its thick scales. It’s back had huge plates of boney armor. It swiped them off like flies and he made quick work of them.

A moment later, two smaller Vog along with a humanoid figure covered in shimmering armor moved up to them. The Thrak, dead, Cara stood to her feet, her body still shaking from the encounter.

“You are Queen Cara?” the huge, tall man asked.

Cara stretched her neck up to look at him, his helmet disappearing to reveal a handsome face. He must have been nearly nine feet tall, which took her by surprise and her mind raced from everything that had just happened.

“I-I am.” she stuttered. “Who are you?”

“You must be in shock,” he said kindly, offering his hand. “My name is Kaladin Valhorn. I helped Kyburn defend Unari against the Thrak.”

The huge Vog stepped closer to them, apparently listening to them with wondrous blue eyes. He stopped a few paces from them then sat on his haunches as did the other two Vog.

“Thrak? What are they doing here?” she shook her head in confusion. “Is Xerath safe?”

“Those.” he pointed at the bodies of the aliens. “Are the Thrak that passed during the battle. “Xerath is safe in Unari for now. We were tracking this group when I noticed human lifeforms out here. Hopefully, those are the last Thrak that made it over the wall.”

“Oh,” Cara mumbled, still confused by everything. “Amira!” she cried in panic. “Amira is an assassin! She killed Jebbin back in Xerixes. You have to find her and capture her.”

“I’m sorry but I do not know who you speak of.” Kaladin grabbed her shoulder as she looked to be falling over.

“What of my brother then?” she asked.

“Your brother?” Kaladin asked. “Who is your brother?”

“Erik.” Cara cleared her throat. “Erik. He is the king of Vulkira. He accompanied Kyburn on his mission to Kligira.”

Kaladin's face turned grim and he frowned. He showed great sympathy and Cara’s heart screamed in panic. “No.” she thought. “Not Erik too.”

“I’m sorry that I am the one to tell you this, but Erik was killed.”