Kingdom of Ash

legend. Not hunted nearly as close to
extinction as they’d believed, it seemed.
It left Manon and the army she’d raised the
chance to catch their breath, at least.
And a night to sleep, if fitfully. She’d met
with the mortal leaders during dinner, when it
became apparent that Morath would not be
finishing them off today.
Five thousand Crochans would not win this
war. They would not stop a hundred thousand
soldiers. But they could keep the Ironteeth
legions at bay—keep them from sacking the
city and letting in the demon hordes.
Long enough for whatever small miracle,
Manon didn’t know. She hadn’t dared ask, and
none of the mortals had posed the question,
either.
Could the city outlast a hundred thousand
soldiers hammering its walls and gates?
Perhaps.