The Changeling Warriors by Doug Wilson

Author:Doug Wilson [Wilson, Doug]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781499099928
Publisher: Xlibris NZ
Published: 2017-09-05T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

ALARM

AT THAT PRECISE moment the doors were flung open.

“Come quickly, Catharnach and his army are here!” shouted a clearly frightened soldier, his sword already in hand. From outside they heard shouting and screaming and something huge crashed against the castle walls.

There was a rush for the doors. People bumped into each other; the huge bears pushing others aside in their hurry. In the fading daylight green bowmen on the parapets and battlements were firing arrows at figures outside the walls.

The huge castle gates had been closed. The little men with exploding dyno-dust were tossing handfuls over the side and Peter could hear the distinctive booming sound as each one hit a target.

Séarlas was first up the steps, with Peter racing after him. A fearful army of hideous creatures were attacking the castle, some on foot, some on horses. Goblins, ghouls, bowmen, a few banshees with piercing shrieks and war chants flung themselves at the castle walls. Huge Saxon warriors, like those he saw as he flew in, were waving battle axes and shouting. Overhead shadows of huge creatures flashed past.

“We’ll let them have their fun,” said Séarlas. “There’s no way they can get in here. I suspect this is just to test us to see if we want to resist or parley. Obviously the answer is no.”

“Which one is Catharnach?”

“I can’t see him. I’d be surprised he’d come to such a small party. He wants us on a large field so his Army of Despair can battle us to the end. That’s where we’ll see him.”

The three grey shapes which had draped themselves on the chairs in the Council rooms now moved into the light. Peter saw they had lighter patches where their eyes would be, and arm-like projections had appeared.

One nodded at Séarlas, then flew into the air and over the marauders, diving at sword-waving soldiers and snatching them into the air, then dropping them to their death on the ground. It was enough to take the fight out of anyone. Or thing.

This sudden assault was unexpected, diverting the attackers. Some began to move back, uncertain where the danger was coming from.

At their head was a huge wild man, with long knotted fair hair and a massive beard. He was dressed in furs and skins, had a battered helmet and carried a large club, which he was swinging at the castle doors as he tried to crash his way in. His face was covered in blue paint.

“That’s Ethelwulf, one of the renegade Saxons who didn’t want to join us,” Séarlas explained calmly, as if today was an ordinary day. “He doesn’t carry much weight with Catharnach, so this is just a tester, not an invasion, as I thought.” He pointed down at Ethelwulf and two of the dustmen tossed handfuls of their dyno-dust at the wild Saxon. It exploded and he was knocked off his feet.

“Oh dear, he’d forgotten about the dust,” smiled Séarlas. “But enough is enough; we have to chase this nuisance away.”

He strode down to the courtyard, calling instructions.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.