Commander Alexander's voice rang out with sharp authority, slicing through the tension like a blade. His eyes scanned the soldiers along the wall, archers, clad in uniform armor, fingers twitching around their bows, breath held in anticipation. Without arrows nocked, one might have thought them defenseless, but they were anything but. These were Arcane Bowmen, trained to conjure spectral arrows of energy, lethal and precise.
"Hold position! On my mark!" the commander shouted again, his voice hoarse but commanding.
The thundering of feet beyond the wall was growing louder now, a monstrous rhythm of claw and muscle slamming the earth. As the swarm surged from the tree line, the sky seemed to darken. The beasts were fast, unnaturally so....and their low snarls and chittering cries carried over the walls.
"Loose!" The commander gave the order.
