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Side Story Three

Two Years Ago

The Trap Seven

When Hannah and Ema reached the breach in the wall, Anahita and several other haltia were already there, trying the stem the flow of outlanders streaming through the gap. The chief councillor looked at them as they rushed around the corner with Sean on their heels.

“What are you doing here?” she asked sharply. “You’re our guests. You should have stayed in your apartments where it’s safe.”

“Screw that!” Hannah snapped. “What kind of people would we be if we let our hosts be massacred without even trying to help?”

Anahita stared at the three of them for a moment and then nodded slowly. “Very well. Could you help seal the breach, Earth Warrior?” She nodded to where several earth Haltia were struggling against the sheer numbers of attackers to close the hole.

“Of course,” Hannah said. “That’s why I came.” She paused. “You should send someone to help Karen, Alban and Zillah – they’re trying to heal a boy who was being attacked by an oread.” She shuddered violently. “But I think he’ll need a professional healer.”

“Where?” Anahita asked. Hannah told her and she closed her eyes for a moment. “Someone is on the way.”

“Is this how it normally goes?” Sean asked. Anahita gave him a stressed look and shook her head.

“No, this is very strange. It’s usually just a few of them running hit and run raids. The initial breach was fairly normal but this wave… They’re outlanders, but they don’t seem as crazed as the first wave and they seem to be fleeing something. I mean some of them are the usual ravenous lot but – well, look…” She trailed off and pointed at the attacking speakers. “I dread to think what could terrify outlanders like that.”

Hannah looked in the direction Anahita had gestured and realised the invaders seemed more interested in getting past the gathered troops than attacking them, and those that did seemed mostly to be trying to hide amidst the buildings rather than attacking.

“Dragons,” Hannah said flatly as she turned back to the breach and took Ema’s hand. Together they began to concentrate on the shatted stone of the wall, willing it to lift itself and fill the hole. As it began to do just that, the other Daoine who had been working on it moved the stones gradually into place. But it would never be as strong as the proper wall had been. Hannah frowned at it and considered how to shore it up before the attackers broke it down again.

“You could be right,” Sean said. “They might not work with these wretched creatures, but that doesn’t mean they can’t whip them into a panic and send them stampeding in your direction.”

“But why?” Anahita asked.

“I’m not su-” His eyes widened. “It’s a distraction. Where’s the Core Gate? I think they’re trying to keep us tied down so they can take it without a fight!”

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