Kriki's Gift, Chapter XXIX, Reading 23

"What mindless maniacs. They didn't seem to care that they were dying in such a hopeless fight."

"Just like yesterday."

"And just like yesterday, more will surely come.  I'm sure all of the Valkea's people are aware of her peril."  He pointed his sword towards the tunnel.  "Do you hear that noise, Cherok?"

He listened carefully.  "It almost sounds like a distant drum beat."

"A good way to sound an alarm in a cave fortress," the captain speculated.  "I wager we're soon going to have company."

"A reasonable guess."

"Gather around the cave," Pender commanded.  "Defensive positions.  Try to find a spot where your footing is secure."

As the soldiers moved into the best possible places around the cave entrance, another group of twenty men arrived from the west.

"Good, we have more swords," Cherok noted as he watched the men dismount.  "I have a feeling we're going to need them."

The new fighters were under the command of Lieutenant Boerger, Henny's betrothed.  He was one of the younger officers, but a capable fighter and leader.  He was a big man, but was agile and quickly led his men up the slope.

Before Boerger and the others reached the ledge, the light vanished, leaving behind nothing but the ring of the Valkea's henchmen who had died trying to reach her.  Before any of the men could react to the sudden end of the light, an image coalesced and they found themselves in the presence of their King.

The men instantly saluted.  "Your Majesty," Pender said respectfully.

"Gentleman," Kalmar replied and gave them a nod to acknowledge their salutes.  He didn't realize it, but his face was haggard with the effort of battling the Valkea - a fact instantly noticed by his men who exchanged a concerned glance.

"How may we be of service?" the captain asked.

Kalmar looked around at the men gathered at the cave entrance and instantly noticed that the ground was littered with the Valkea's dead clansmen.  "As you can see the Valkea is no more.  Thank you for taking care of her fighters here.  Now we need to cleanse the world of the nest of monsters she has been incubating in the caverns beneath our feet.  Before we can continue, I need to assess the situation here.  Have any of your men entered the tunnel?"

"No, Sire.  We just finished our battle and were preparing for more of the Valkea's henchmen to appear for we hear the distant drums.  Please allow me to congratulate you on your victory."