Chapter 664: Two Crosses

Chapter 664: Two Crosses

Two Crosses

In the dead of night, two cloaked figures moved through the alleys of the copper lanes. With a hostile army outside the gates, even this district was under heavy patrol from a garrison under constant threat, but the legionaries stuck to the main streets that crossed the quarters. Intimately familiar with the area, Martel had no trouble plotting a course that kept them hidden and avoided the main thoroughfares.

The merchants' quarter was another matter. The streets had lamp posts, illuminating anybody trying to cross them. More than once, the pair was forced to wait for agonising moments until the patrol had disappeared around the corner. Every grain of sand in the hourglass counted; the night sky slowly grew brighter, twilight would soon be upon them, and dawn would not be far behind.

At last, the merchants' gate came into sight. They stood where an alley met the road that led to their destination, counting the guards. Ten on the ground, probably the same number or more inside and atop the gatehouse, and who knew how many on the adjoining walls.

As for the gate itself, it was a simple construction. No complex machinery or chains like a drawbridge or portcullis. Just two wooden halves that could be opened and closed, currently barred by a crossbeam.

The two rebels looked at each other. There was no need for complex planning or extensive discussions on what to do. The fight was simple, and they both knew how the other person acted in battle. Stepping out from the alley, they broke into a sprint.

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Martel sank to his feet, leaning against the building where they had fought. Around him, he could still hear the sounds of battle and screams of dying men. His own soldiers were clearing the fortifications, killing all the archers. Elsewhere, they would be fighting in the city as well. Row after row of legionaries marched past him as the Twentieth made its entry. Arianna, the legion prefect, saluted with a grin as she rode past her captain.

Next to him, Eleanor sat down as well. "We did it," she breathed. She had a few cuts, her shield lay shattered on the ground, and her clothing was dyed in blood, but he knew she was otherwise uninjured. He praised the Stars that they had made her a mageknight with all the defensive spells such warriors learned.

"This has been the longest night of my life. Probably the worst," he admitted.

"Imagine how much worse if we had failed. Our soldiers are taking the city. This is a victory."

Assuming nothing unforeseen happened. If the garrison rallied faster than expected, they might be able to defend the bridge gate. If the attackers were not reinforced by the legion waiting to the east, the defenders could conceivably push the Twentieth back through the streets, especially if more mages joined them like Gilbert had at the previous battle.

Martel wished he could have gone with the soldiers to the bridge district and fought there as well, doing everything to ensure it was taken. At the same time, he knew that would be pointless. He had no magic left, except the simplest of spells or effects. Anything more would push him into exhaustion. He could do no more. The rest was in the hands of others.