Aaron awoke groggy next to William. Getting up was a chore. It was afternoon and still tired pulling the key out of my pocket then blinked once. the chest!

Rushing outside then stopped not five feet from the front door But I’ll wait for William to get up. He deserves to be there. outside there was barely a breeze or clouds

not like the wind last night and the spirits of the dead went back to the spirit world. It was so peaceful the carved turnips were normal, not a hint of the whitish blue flame that was inside.

After breakfast of some carrots and a slice of cheese William stumbled out “morning” Aaron called

“Morning” he mumbled, he started straight for the chest and Aaron had to hurry to catch up

“Are you ready to find out what’s inside?” Aaron asked

“Of course I am get the key and……” horns sounded a longer sound than another

“an attack I need to get back immediately to paper for battle” William said, untethering his moa which he stored here for the night. After William mounted it he looked at me

“come I need your help your powers will come in handy”

“I can’t go I’m injured”

“you have skylight and you can levitate now let’s move” William said, sounding irritated he climbed behind him and with a kick to the side they were off

“I can levitate?” how?.

“You don’t know?” William said, shocked

“I've had no teacher,” realizing I don’t know my powers very well. What else could I do and not know it?

“I’ll teach you after we’re not under attack but skylight will suffice” William said passing through the gate there were no guards at the gate at lord Philip's manor king Richard, Lord John, and Lord Philip, assembled the town watch, guards, and man-at-arms. They could be found in a half circle around a wooden platform up against the wall where the king was about to speak.

Falkner got an unwelcome visitor who walked in like she owned the place, broke down the door, scared the innkeeper half to death and was a half demon! halfbreeds were abominations with the parents mated with lizardmen and avians. Something about those blood red eyes of hers held something I just can’t place but I don’t like it.

Now on his moa, maybe everyone was in armor and had weapons. I should name him like Nyssa did. What did she name him again?

William was at the back with the farmer godling. What is with him and that godling? Where is his armor and weapons?

“It has come to my attention that my village Little Ivywood is under siege by goblins” the king went on “that is why I called you here today to send them back to the underworld from whence they came!” roaring cheering with men banging on their shields with their weapons he gave a cheer himself. Where is William going? He was riding towards the east gate with farmboy in tow pushing William out of my mind. The king mounted his moa and we rode to battle.

Jezebel followed the army at a distance. I’ll get there soon to help out at least I’m out of that town with rude innkeepers and ruder godlings, he has to be. At least he’ll be against the goblins. I need a weapon. Why didn't I get the spear from the goblin in the woods? Whatever I’ll use my sling, hang on Safiya, Hector. I'm coming with help.

Aaron waited by William’s big house three stories with a shingled roof and a double door. It was a pain to get his spare mail on. long short sleeves because of his still healing arm he came out in mail and wearing a helmet standard cap with a nose guard and a small round shield then he gasped. William owned a celestial iron spear!

“Here” handing him a spear. It was shorter than his but felt decent in one hand

“Do you have a spare moa?”

“yes. now come” hurrying to his own stable with five moas in their own boxes

“This is Daisy, she's gentle and perfect for new time riders'' William said as he put on a saddle “can you hand me the reins''

“sure” looking around for it “where?” “it’s in that barrel” easily finding the only barrel full of reins grabbing one then handed it to him after he was done “go ahead” William said he immediately got on Daisy William handed him a spear before mounting a different moa

“we must move with haste”

“to battle” Aaron said mouth dry I’m I really going to a battle

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“yes and no we need to bring reinforcements goblins never attack a settlement unless they know they can win and Phillip doesn't have enough knights or men-at-arms we need to get the help of the north men” with that he took of at full speed

“hia!” Aaron said kicking Daisy in the ribs and were off to catch up with the caravan of northmen.

Falkner rode near the front behind the king and his bodyguard on the right and Nyssa on the left and Philip next to Nyssa they slowed to a trot so as to not to outpace their infantry. They had about three hundred men, one hundred of which on moas with swords and spears whereas the men at arms had swords, spears, and a few battle axes. A very small army but the goblins targeted a small village so it’s probably enough I hope. Though more would be welcome, it's all we could muster.

They saw the village surrounded by about four hundred goblins. The battering ram almost through the gate they backed up to ram again the gate was almost down

“form up! Falkner take the right wing, Phillip take the left wing, I'll charge head on” Richard said the men at arms forming a shield wall immediately. Falkner singled for his men to paper to charge the right flank. He drew his sword and held his kite shield ready for the right moment. The goblins began to see them and turned their attention our way with screams as they charged the shield wall. with flint spears and crude shields out of wood and bark they slowly charge one another goblins on timberwolves rode out to Falkner and my wing. He raised his sword to meet them head on riding at a run against them they clashed swinging at arms necks and muzzles blocking a ax with his shield then counter attack with a thrust in the throat but missed and hit his mouth as the fighting drag on getting knock on the head that made my vision blur and a gash on my thigh warm blood running down my leg. The infantry held but was breaking at the onslaught. it was apparent that moas are not as good against timberwolves as he had hoped "retreat!" Falkner called.

Jezebel couldn't help very well Falkner began to retreat there moas in a screeching panic. The front line looked brutal on both sides picking up a rock quite large but light humm I’ll use my sling to try to help. I can't reach the gate! It was breached goblins pouring into the village then the militia poured out and the gate became a blood bath Standing on a little hill covered by trees. time to help Falkner out. Wiring rocks one after another missing quite a few but hitting enough breaking shoulders and knees she heard the bushes move behind me turning around and found a tribe of satyrs Coming right at her.

Back towards the front line. Phillips wing finished the small group of timberwolves and charged into the left wing helping the front line. I've lost half of my men,

cries of alarm rang from my men expecting timberwolves to attack any moment but found the half demon running in our direction faster than thought possible. Then he saw the tribe of satyrs behind her. They must have followed us. Falkner thought with panic “dismount!” Falkner called leading are moa behind the front line to fend for themselves satyrs are known to leap at cavalry to pull their riders down. forming a half circle shields up swords out but he sheathed his sword holding out his fist instead. The satyrs approach them rapidly. Their cries of hate with spears hitting their shields Falkner let loose a cone of flames right into them the smell of burnt flesh filled the air but only a dozen or so were affected and was forced to draw his sword and hack at them but they were overwhelmed quickly. A satyr jumped over the shield wall and tackled him to the ground and with a howl it raised its spear to impale him. Shocked. I’m going to die.

Aaron rode towards Little Ivywood William at the head, hundreds of north men eager to be rid of goblins, their king even rode on top of a mastodon. spears eager for battle they ran all the way. They reached the battlefield just in time when the front line was about to buckle. they plunge into battle. He rode as fast as he could towards the right side lord Falkner was about to be killed. Pointing his spear like a lance and plunge it into the satyr’s shoulder knocking him off Falkner quickly got up right next to it thrusting down to finish it off

“you almost trampled me!” Falkner screamed getting back up then slashing away “your welcome” Aaron called, William used his spear like a bow staff against three satyrs and a goblin fending them off and stabbing he's good! The tide of battle quickly turned in their favor, the mastodon plunging into the satyrs ripping thare line apart next to Falkner. They scattered everywhere fleeing and a dozen men came out of the gate to help out everyone began to cheer the battle was won.

I wasn't much help during the battle but that's ok feeling a little worthless. I just need to check on Hector and Safiya passing wounded men and the dead on the battlefield though the ruined gates, nothing I can do. Jezebel thought sadly

Everyone cheered when they saw her. she stood there in shock as people cheered, chanting

“half demon the half demon brought us an army!” an old farmer came up to me “thank you for bringing help we thought we were goners” they accept me tears welled up in her eyes passing more grateful villagers Safiya came to her with a long knife at her belt and gave her a hug

“It’s good to see you again” “I’ve been gone only a day” stepping back from Jezebel

“I was so scared”

“I’m sorry. Where’s Hector” she paused for a moment, eagle face unreadable

“Hector barricaded himself inside the hospital and won’t come out” the coward I’m going to teach him a lesson or two what is with him?. He didn't seem like a coward but what do I know? looks can be deceiving. At least the damages to the village are minor so Hector wasn't needed but still that’s no excuse. I’m going to give him a piece of my mind. ignoring everyone as she made her way to the hospital Safiya hurrying to catch up the priest stood outside the hospital looking angry at us

“this hospital is for everyone not only you” he said pointing his finger in Jezebel's face “we didn’t know he would do this” Safiya said in an annoyed tone Jezebel ran straight for the double doors and crashed shaking the doors but they held

“what are you doing!” the priest yelled hands on the side of his head Jezebel ignored him and shoulder bashed again they again held but cracks formed on the doors and again until she cashed inside it didn't change except it was empty there where only a few occupied beds Hector sat on his bed he looked old Safiya tucked at my upper arm

“we should keep our distance”

“I’m not giving up on him he accepted us I will not abandon him” approaching Hector Safiya's hands on her hips reluctantly followed. “Hey, how are you holding up?” Jezebel asked he did not look her in the eyes.

“I’ll be leaving in two days” Hector announced in a cold voice he sounded so hopeless it ruined her good mood. Safiya is mad Hector is sad and I have no idea what to do.