Beverly pulled back on the reins, and Lightning slowed. Before her lay the town of Hammersfield, its streets bustling with activity, while over it flew the red-and-green flag of Merceria, billowing out in the gusty afternoon wind.
"There it is," she mused. "The army of Merceria, or what"s left of it."
"Come now," called out Aubrey. "It can"t be all that bad?" The Life Mage slowed as she drew closer, allowing her horse to match the pace of the Mercerian Charger.
"Somehow, I expected more," Beverly explained, "but it can"t be helped, I suppose."
"You shouldn"t be surprised. After all, they"re missing the entire Dwarven brigade."
"Yes, that"s true. It"s only that it looks so small."
"Less than a thousand by my reckoning," said Aubrey. "In years past, we would consider that a decent size
