11
The rain slowed to a drizzle. Treetops swayed with the force of the wind that ushered the clouds east and north. As the moon shone through the waning storm, mercenaries on horseback could now be seen and clearly heard as they charged toward the group of brothers to cut them off from the castle at their back. A dozen men, determined to alter the balance before the true confrontation between the Roanoaks and Baltura, eagerly engaged with the six warriors. At an advantage, since they had no one to protect except themselves, the mercenaries hacked with their swords and used their steeds to push the Roanoaks into a tighter circle around the two women without a weapon.
Their trained horses and exceptional skill with weapons gave the brothers their own advantage. As they blocked and parried,
