Gargoyles and trolls, the two beasts, were famous as the vanguard of the southern march and the waves that signaled the start of the war. Forest trolls were particularly fast-footed, and gargoyles were very aggressive flying beasts, making them perfect for kicking off the attack.

I looked down on them from Reccordaks wall. One group was shaking the ground, and the other was soaring through the sky. They werent special opponents, but their ranks stretched out to the horizon.

Get ready.

I raised my right hand. Nineteen pieces of wood steel floated behind me as the soldiers automatic crossbows aimed. Mana from the knights rose from the road.

Fire.

Straight lines, more suitable for the expression harpoon than bolts, swept the earth and sky in sync with my command. A series of similar attacks followed a heartbeat later, then again. The bolts broke through the trolls and gargoyles, tearing wings and piercing flesh.