The Cracks Beneath the Walls (3)

Rain splattered her visor as she spun to face the next man, who raised his sword too late. She took him down with a quick jab and a twist that left him gasping. The ground beneath her boots was slick with rain and blood, but every step felt surer than the last. She felt alive, more alive than in any dream before, because every breath drawn in this chaos was earned.

She glimpsed Surena across the courtyard, knee-deep in the fray, her battlecry echoing. Nearby, a small group of cavalry heroes like Xena and Ravia wove through soldiers, disabling crossbow nets and cutting shafts. The glow of torches from Josephine's bait caravans glimmered at the southern gate, pulling some defenders away in confused pursuit. Every piece of the plan fit together like clockwork.