NICOLE RACED AHEAD of Sarah and Cabal searching for a place to make a stand. Cabal glanced behind them as the creatures appeared. Six stocky, muscular beasts with short legs, broad rounded heads, small eyes and short rounded ears raced through the castle doors. “Norbotds!” Cabal cringed as he said the word. The monstrous black and gray half-rodent, half bear-like creatures had massive five-toed claws and fangs reaching eight inches in length. The norbotds kept low to the ground as they ran but stood as tall as a man on their back feet.
Cabal said, “We can’t hold off six of them. They are too powerful and quick. Head for the cliff! If we can climb high enough, they won’t be able to reach us.”
They veered off the dirt road and headed for the cliffs that surrounded the base of the palace. C
