Faro staggered back, blocking the brown Urt's sword as it sliced for his neck. He could feel the forces of the defensive arc rise on either side of him, meeting the Urts' charge head-on. For the moment, the renewed vigor of Wethelnar's army was keeping them at bay. But he had more pressing matters to deal with.
"Can you feel that in the air?" the brown Urt laughed, pounding away at Faro's defense. "That's you losing, human. The knowledge that all your efforts have been in vain!"
"Funny," Faro snapped, knocking another blow to the side, "I figured that was the smell of your lackeys' blood!"
The Urt caught his sword by the hilt and pressed hard, forcing it down. "Your jokes are pitiful." He kicked Faro in the knees, unbalancing him. "Now die!"
A thousand tiny thoughts raced through Faro's mind as the Urt brought his blade around for a mighty blow. *I can't give up. Warriors never quit. I can't beat him. I can't die here. I'm exhausted. I won't let everyone down.*