53. At the GateTristan lifted his head at the sound of the war horns. He glanced to Bradan, crouched next to him at the edge of the thick band of vegetation that surrounded the fortress. Carefully, he pulled apart the branches in front of them. Beyond was the strip of clear ground that led to the small back door into Carn Deas. He could see the little gate, barred shut, but he was not fooled by its unremarkable appearance. It was protected by twisted magic, and force alone would not open it from the outside.
There were a few Brathadair on the walls above, but none outside the fortress walls. Until now they had been fairly still, gazing out vacantly. At the sound of the horns, they had all snapped to attention. After various gestures and vivid conversation, they had disappeared, leaving on
