Photo ©Sue Vincent

The two scouts came flying down the hidden steps to the makeshift fortress under the ancient bridge.  I let Cai and Bedwyr question them while I hid in the shadows.

“There must be 3000 of those blond giants,” the first said.  “There’s more chainmail in the honor guard than in our entire band.”

“We’ll not be scared off by a handful of the devils,” Cai said.  “And 3000?  What have been drinking?  Are there even 3000 of the monsters in all of Britannia?  If there are, so be it. I’ll take on five hundred myself, and that’s with my shield arm tied behind my back.”

“Really, at least 3000.  I’ve never seen anything like it,” the other scout said.  “They mean to break the last of the resistance and rule the entire island.”