“Run!” Urake shouted the order to Emeck as he swung Ice Heart in a mighty slice down. The bow was not equal to the impact and shattered as the surprised archer leaped back. A footfall at Urake’s back gave him scant warning as another cloaked and hooded figure joined the fray. This one was armed with a curved blade in one hand and a throwing knife in the other. The knife clattered to the ground as Ice Heart blocked it but the sword was now in close quarters. A quick block and side step put the other attacker into Urake’s sight. He was now armed with a sword that matched the other's having discarded his ruined bow. These were not bandits awkwardly wielding mismatched weapons. Neither were these the memorized actions of a soldier. These men were skilled in the use of their weapons and were easily a match for Urake one on one. Desperately blocking the combined attacks Urake was unable to land a blow of his own. Taking a chance he blocked one slice and allowed another to be absorbed by his armor and took the opening to land a smashing blow with his bow to the side of the injured archer’s head. Spinning again on the other he only barely managed to ward off a mortal blow from the attacker still standing. Leaping back he put space between himself and the remaining attacker. Seeing the supine archer’s exposed face he paused an instant. An instant that almost cost him his life. The hood had been pulled back exposing the distinctive pointed ears of an elf. Parrying the other elf’s attack he side stepped to avoid being backed into the thorn bush. His every attack was fended off and gaining ground became increasingly difficult. It was when his vision started to blur that Urake realized what was happening. The arrow cut on his side and the blow he had let past his defenses was bleeding and the blood loss was taking its toll. Fending off a last blow he was forced to step back into the clearing that was filled with elves finishing their bloody work. In an instant a dozen bows were notched and pulled taut with their deadly projectiles trained on him. Knowing that he was hopelessly outmatched Urake staggered backwards dropping the bow and holding Ice Heart over his head in surrender. “I yield.” Just as his vision narrowed to a pinpoint Urake felt a tingling in the palm that held Ice Heart. After that came darkness. “Should I finish him Essdra?” Lyrak questioned as he held his sword tip to the senseless soldier’s throat.

A rebellion rises as Princess Em'risi escapes from Reigns. The Asgare lends a hand and finds himself a part of the rebellion for better or worse and forced to abandon his quest for a time. Cero awakes in strange surroundings and soon has a surprise encounter. Reigns plots to retain his power and to crush the rebels at the same time. Armies move and intrigue thickens the air. The flint has been struck on a tinder dry land.