Movement on the wall to his left caught his attention as one of the restored ballistae began to change. Light spread through its wooden frame, causing the soldiers operating it to step back as the weapon's lower mechanisms shifted. Metal rails extended from beneath the firing platform, and a second set of drawing arms unfolded above the first before locking into place with a heavy mechanical click.
A wide belt appeared beside the ballista. At first, Kael thought it was some kind of carpet stretched across a rotating frame, but then one of the soldiers placed a bolt onto it.
The belt moved, carrying the projectile forward and feeding it directly onto the firing rail. The two drawing mechanisms began alternating. The lower arm fired, and while it reset, the upper arm drew another cord into position.
