Page 33 of Kingdoms of Tides and Twilight (A World of Sun and Shadow #2)
G rayden's heart pounded as he raced through the castle corridors, the weight of his new armor and weapons barely registering. His mind was split between the impending battle and Renya's safety. He could feel her fear and determination through their bond, a constant undercurrent to his own tumultuous emotions.
As he burst through the castle doors into the courtyard, the full chaos of the battle assaulted his senses. The air was thick with smoke and the metallic tang of blood. Screams and the clash of steel against steel filled his ears, punctuated by the earth-shaking roars of dragons.
Grayden spotted Diggory, Orien's second-in-command, directing a group of soldiers near the eastern wall. He sprinted towards him, ducking under a volley of flaming arrows.
“Diggory!” Grayden shouted over the din. “What's our status?”
The battle-worn soldier turned, relief flashing across his face. “Prince Grayden! We're holding the walls, but barely. The dragons are making it nearly impossible to maintain our defenses.”
Grayden nodded grimly. “I've faced these beasts before. Aim for their eyes and the soft spots under their wings. And watch for the riders – they're as dangerous as the dragons themselves.”
As if summoned by his words, a massive shadow passed overhead. Grayden looked up to see a dragon, scales gleaming like polished obsidian, swooping down towards the courtyard. Its rider, clad in blood-red armor, directed the beast with practiced ease.
He nocked an arrow, took aim, and let it fly. The shaft whistled through the air, but the rider deflected it with a casual wave of their hand, dark magic shimmering around them.
“Fall back!” Grayden shouted to the nearby soldiers. “Protect the castle entrance!”
As the men scrambled to obey, Grayden felt a surge of panic through his bond with Renya. He couldn't make out specific details, but he sensed danger within the castle walls.
Torn between his duty to lead the defense and his desperate need to protect Renya, Grayden made a split-second decision. “Diggory, take command here. I need to check on the castle's interior defenses.”
Diggory nodded, understanding the unspoken concern for the royal family and guests. “Go, my prince. We'll hold the line here.”
Grayden clapped him on the shoulder before turning back towards the castle. As he ran, he dodged debris from the crumbling walls, narrowly avoiding a falling stone arch. The sounds of battle grew more intense, and he could hear the terrifying screeches of dragons getting closer.
Suddenly, a group of Shadow Realm soldiers burst through a breach in the western wall. Their armor was as black as night, seeming to absorb the light around them. Grayden drew his sword, its familiar weight offering a small comfort.
The first soldier charged at him, blade raised high. Grayden parried the blow, the impact jarring his arm. He countered with a swift strike to the soldier's exposed side, finding a gap in the dark armor. The man fell with a cry, but two more took his place.
Grayden fought with all the skill and strength he possessed, his sword a blur of motion. He dispatched one opponent after another, but for each one that fell, it seemed two more appeared. The fatigue of battle began to set in, his arms growing heavy with each swing.
A crossbow bolt whizzed past his ear, embedding itself in the stone wall behind him. Grayden ducked and rolled, coming up in time to block another sword strike. He could feel sweat stinging his eyes, the smoke making it hard to breathe.
Through it all, he remained acutely aware of Renya's presence in his mind. Her fear and determination fueled his own, giving him strength when his muscles screamed for rest. He had to keep fighting, had to clear a path back to her.
As he felled another Shadow Realm soldier, Grayden felt a sudden spike of terror through the bond. Something was very wrong. He needed to get to Renya, now.
“Retreat to the inner bailey!” he shouted to the nearby Twilight Kingdom soldiers. “We need to regroup and strengthen our defenses!”
The men began to fall back in an orderly manner, covering each other's retreat. Grayden fought rearguard, his sword flashing in the firelight as he held off the encroaching enemy.
Just as they reached the inner bailey gates, a deafening roar split the air. Grayden looked up to see one of the dragons perched atop the highest tower of the castle, its rider barely visible in the darkness.
A chill ran down his spine. The battle was far from over, and the worst was yet to come. As he helped barricade the gates, Grayden reached out through the bond once more.
Stay safe, Renya. I'm coming.