"Celedhan," said Belloc, "I am going to attempt the stone. You must give me time to work undisturbed."

Appalled, the elf exclaimed, "But you are needed here! We cannot defend this place for long with so few."

"The stone calls them!" said the wizard. "Unless it is silenced, we will be besieged by a sea of trolls."

For a moment, Anest thought the elf would defy the wizard. But, nodding curtly, he said, "Then act quickly. Too many have died already."

Moving swiftly, Belloc and Anest, accompanied by Lily, found a place away from the others that was out of view; a shallow fold in the hill that was overshadowed by a small bluff. They chose the place to keep it safely from the eyes of the company, lest any that see it become distracted, or worse. Lily stood by, watching apprehensively.

Sitting cross-legged on either side, the wizard and his apprentice bent over the glowing orb, and began focusing their efforts onto it. Almost immediately, it dimmed, as if trying to retreat into itself. But soon it began to glow with renewed hunger, as though it grew in confidence.

Seemingly far off in the distance, the sound of harsh, guttural cries could be heard. Savage forms moved like shadows, crashed through the dense brush, heedless of the armed soldiers that awaited them.




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