I nodded. “Well, there’s twenty-three of us, and three are mages. How many townsfolk will help? Or visitors like us?”

“Some few townsfolk will shoot a bow or grab a sword but not enough to matter much. I have no idea about other visitors.”

“I’ll have some of my men find out and try to round them up. How long do you think we have?”

The guardsman rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I’m not sure. The alarm was sounded when they were first sighted. They should be here any time.”

Great. “Is there a place some of our warders can get a look at them?”

He nodded and pointed to the stairs on either side of the gates. “Anywhere up there. You can’t miss them.”

“Thanks.” I turned to Thilos. “Why don’t you and your warders head on up?”

“Oleanth is back at the stable but Ferron and I will take a quick look and report back.” He gestured for Ferron to take the right stairs up and headed towards the left.

“Thanks!” I called after him and he raised a hand in acknowledgement but didn’t break his stride. I turned and pointed at Delik Slin, Kralnik and the Kefnakian priest Stern. “Would you three hit all the inns and taverns and round up as many people as you can. Even if they can’t fight we’ll need help with supplies and the wounded.”

They all agreed and took off at a fast pace. At looked at my remaining companions. “There’s not much we can do until we hear back from the warders. Once we do we’ll have to figure out a plan that will allow us the best chance to survive until Captain Klote and the calvary arrives.”

They either nodded or just stood there, except for Imprid. She joined me and turned to face the rest of the group. “We should also pray that the calvary will arrive here in time.”

I had to smile at that, but it wasn’t a happy one. “Good idea. I think we’re going to need the Gods’ help this time.”

To pass the time I tried to think of all the happy times in my life. I tried hard but my stupid brain kept sneaking in thoughts of all the times when I’d almost died. I think it was pointing out that my luck has to run out sometime and today looked like it might be the day that happened. Sometimes I wish I didn’t even have a brain. My thoughts must have shown on my face, at least a little, because my father came to stand beside me a put an arm around my shoulder in an attempt to comfort me. The sad thing was that it worked. It may have only helped a tiny bit but that was something. Maybe I was starting to forgive him. Or maybe I was just convinced I was about to die and then be eaten by drants. Or the other way around. Or both. I don’t know, for sure, but I was relieved to see Thilos coming back down the stairs. I shook off my father’s arm and waited for him.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Thilos paused when he noticed Ferron on the other set of stairs, waiting for him. They compared notes briefly then joined our group. “We both think there are over three hundred drants closing in on the town. By the time they are all here it could be over four. The first should be here in less than ten minutes. Hopefully they will attack as soon as they get here because if they wait and all attack together we will not stand a chance.”

“I sent some people to round up whoever they can from all the inns and taverns.” I said.

Thilos nodded wearily. “That should help some.” He looked around the group. “What is the plan?”

I laughed at that. “You tell me!”

My oldest friend couldn’t help but smile back. “I think we should kill all the drants and stay alive to complete our mission.”

I nodded. “That sounds great to me.” I looked at Venzik. “I think we’re going to have to leave the horses on their own for now. We’ll need everybody for this fight. Can you send someone to fetch our friends, and all our bows?”

He nodded. “Right away, sir.” Without looking back, he called out to Triona and Pevix to do so. “Where should we make our stand, my lord?”

I shrugged. “I’m not sure. Is it better to spread out around the wall or stay as a group here at the gates?”

That got me a shrug in return as our most veteran campaigner flashed a grim smile. “I am not certain it will make that much of a difference, sir. We have next to no chance of keeping the drants out of the town. Perhaps it is best to stay together. Fight here at the gate first and then have a series of places to retreat to.”

I nodded. “That sounds like a plan to me. Venzik, you designate the retreat positions and their order and make sure everybody has them down pat. Can the Buxom Lass be the final one? We did pay for those rooms.”

“And our horses are there.” Thilos added.

“Indeed! We’ll need them later.” I said, hoping there would be some of us left alive to require the use of horses.

Venzik broke us into two groups and sent us up the two set of stairs, half on either side of the wall. I was on the left side. I stopped beside the old guard who had told me he was in charge. “As I mentioned earlier, I’m Dirk S’vig, the spymaster for Ansdron.” I held out my hand. “I didn’t catch your name earlier and I’d hate to die without having the chance to learn it.”

He chuckled and grabbed the hand I had extended for a quick shake. “I’m Captain Gurrl, and it’s a pleasure, sir.”

“Gurrl, is it?” I smiled. “That must have gotten you a lot of shit as a boy.”

“However much you’re imagining, my lord, it was much worse than that. I can’t complain too much though. This old family name caused me to learn how to fight almost as soon as I could walk, and that led me to a grand career as a soldier.” He laughed quietly. “And now this. Who could ask for better?” He looked out over the wall. “There almost here. You’d best grab a bow. The fewer come up over the walls the better it’ll be for us.”

“I can’t argue with that, captain. Good luck.” I turned to join Venzik and my father, who were already stringing some bows.

“And to you, my lord. We’re lucky you showed up.”

I laughed as I turned back to him. “Lucky’s not exactly how I’d describe any of this, but the day isn’t over yet.”