Another stocky giant ahead of him – Caleb – was throwing himself deep into the enemy ranks, his arm wrapped around a human that he clutched to his chest, using the man as a shield. His free arm held a club the size of a small tree trunk. Careful to follow Eiric’s orders, he was smashing the soldiers’ legs, leaving broken bones and howls of agony in his wake.

Eiric reached down and swatted another group of hoplites out of the way. Glancing to his right, he saw Dalton, an old ogre with an enlarged jaw and wispy white hair, struggling against three swordsmen who were trying to encircle him.

You need help?

I’m fine. I can do this without hurting them.

Dalton snatched at one man and then the other, his meaty fingers closing over empty air as his opponents dodged out of the way. One of the swordsmen, younger than his two companions but possessing his share of bravery, jumped on top of the stone wall and then tried to leap onto Dalton’s back.

But Dalton snatched him out of the air. He held his wriggling captive by both arms, four feet above the ground, his legs scrabbling uselessly, face white as a sheet. The ogre displayed him and snarled. The soldiers exchanged glances and backed away, desperate to save their friend.

Dalton then set the young man gently down and let him go.

Stunned, he rushed over to his comrades. They took him by the arms and without a word, they ran from the battle.

Dalton looked at Eiric. See?

Well done.

Turning his attention back to the battle, Eiric was tall enough to easily scan over the heads of so many men, and knew immediately that the attack was faltering. The combined strength of the eldren was simply too much for the humans.

Eiric, look out!

Eiric whirled. He saw Dalton moving, intercepting a group of twenty soldiers pouring over the embankment to attack from behind. With surprising skill, the newcomers leaped over the wall with just one hand on the top, short stabbing spears held in the other. Their eyes were on Eiric as they charged. They didn’t see Dalton coming.

He barreled into them, heedless of their bristling weapons. But these were a different breed of soldiers than the ones they’d been fighting. Whirling, moving with incredible agility, first one and then another stuck his spear into Dalton’s torso. Dalton roared with pain, still trying to swat them away without hurting them. Another spear stabbed into his back.

Dalton! Eiric cried. Caleb, I need your help!

Bellowing with rage, Eiric suddenly found that he could no longer think. Throwing himself into the fray, he was filled only with the desire to save his friend.