The door slammed shut so hard the wood rattled in its frame. Manicia threw the lock across and shoved her shoulder against it, panting.
"Block it! Now! Get something in front of it!" she barked.
Orkesh blinked in confusion, halfway rising from his bunk. "What's gotten into you?"
"The bandits!" she snapped, eyes wide. "They've infiltrated the dungeon!"
That was all it took. Misha and Nina scooped up the children without a word, herding them into the farthest corner of the room. "Stay here, stay quiet," Nina whispered, trying to soothe the little ones who whimpered at her tone.
Meanwhile, Orkell and Mina rushed to drag the nearest bunk bed, its legs screeching against the stone floor. Manicia joined them, bracing her back against the wood as they tipped it into place.
"More! We need more!" Manicia shouted.
One by one, beds were dragged, stacked, jammed against the door. But the barricade looked pitiful against the pounding footsteps drawing closer in the hall.
