Rudy Nine-names said, “Center shot!”
The Kobolds howled in unison.
Beeyo shouted, “Quite honestly I don’t know how much longer I can hold them back.”
Bailiwick said, “Not yet! I want to taunt Klarje!”
Dibbit fired again. Beeyo quickly pulled an unfortunate Kobold sergeant in front of him and into the arrow’s path. Dibbit’s shot struck down the kobold sergeant.
Straight Arrow took two steps back and uttered, “That old boy’s a pretty good shot!”
Bailiwick concentrated on Dibbit and sent a successful Hold Spell his way. The brave little archer dropped his bow.
Exeter sent Rhiann a message, “He’s more than thirty feet away, but I don’t have to tell you the sorcerer is your greatest enemy. Mayard’s fear that I’d fall into an enemy’s hands may quickly come to pass.”
Rhiann returned the thought, “I can’t block all his spells. We can’t run.”
When Dibbit dropped his bow, the kobolds and highwaymen grew more brazen and stepped to the edge of the rise. Bailiwick and Beeyo strategically kept at least one Kobold between them and the Gnomes. Scores of Kobolds menacingly edged forward from front and rear of the trapped caravan.
The Man in Black taunted, “Klarje, you’ll enjoy knowing that a thousand Gnomes now defend Dry Creek against an attack that is not coming. The Burgomaster will find your worthless hides in this gulley.”
Bailiwick rubbed his left shoulder and added, “I’m just sorry Madam Darktop is not with you. I still owe her. Save Klarje for me. Send in your warriors!”
Beeyo screeched, “Attack!”
The Kobolds gave a yell.
Wings fluttered overhead. Two Copper Dragons swooped down over the caravan and then flew over the masses of Kobolds. A reddish creature as large as a warhorse with the body of a lion, the head of a man, three rows of sharp teeth, a trumpet like voice, two small horns, a long tail resembling that of a dragon, large spines protruding from the tip of the tail, and large wings extending from its back landed between the kobolds to the west and the Gnomes.
On the rise Bailiwick shouted, “That’s a Manticore! What the…”
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