Invasion Read Online Free

hurled it at the Gate. Was it his imagination or did the Gate appear more blue than purple today? Was it possible that he hadn’t noticed the changing colour in the evening light? Or was it Great Shaman O’tukka’s substantial power that made all the difference? Either way it gave Master Pilk hope.
    “How long have you been here?” he asked the Great Shaman.
    “A little over an hour. Your wizard’s were already here when I arrived,” replied Great Shaman O’tukka obviously sensing what he really wanted to know.
    Another loud crash sounded and a huge chunk of the wall fell away revealing the top of the Gate. Master Pilk was divided. Should he stay here to help the others drain magic or should he seek out Duke Angus and discuss counter measures? After hurling one spell he decided on the latter.
    One more hit on the wall dislodged another section before Master Pilk found the Duke. As expected King Buster, General Ludko and Major Hillsworth surrounded him. They debated over whether to send a force beyond the Gate to take out the siege engines, to stay and defend this side as the enemy charges or to abandon the fort altogether before they got stuck in a battle they couldn’t win. So engrossed in conversation were they that it took them a while to even notice Master Pilk standing there trying to get a word in.
    “Ah, you’re awake, Master Pilk. Any advice on what we should do?” asked Duke Angus who looked as though he had not slept at all.
    Master Pilk thought for a moment, “If we abandon the fort we may not get another chance to close the Gate and we let into our world a formidable enemy —”
    “Exactly what I b’en sayin’,” interrupted King Buster.
    “If we stay here and try to defend while all the wizards continue to drain the magic, we may not hold out long enough to fully close it and we would be defending without magic.” Another loud crash forced Master Pilk to pause. This time a ballista bolt shot out and skipped off the debris of the wall and skewered an unfortunate dwarf who had been working on reinforcing it.
    “Seal th’ breach. Keep alert and get a cleric here.” King Buster ran over to the fallen dwarf.
    Duke Angus watched the dwarven king drop to his knees and tend to his fallen kin before turning his attention back to Pilk, “so you think we should send a force and try to deal with the siege engines?”
    “I think it’s our only hope” — Master Pilk dragged his eyes away from the sad scene by the Gate and looked at the Duke — “as slim as it is.”
    “Send a scout first so we know what we’re up against.” Major Hillsworth stepped put his hand on the Duke’s shoulder.
    After a solemn nod from the Duke, the Major sprang into action.  The selected soldier waited until the next bolt hit before proceeding. That bolt hit lower and all but shattered the rest of the wall. The dwarves scattered and retrieved their weapons. Reinforcing the wall was no longer an option.
    The scout returned in an instant and announced that there were a few small siege crews on the other side. He couldn’t say for sure whether there were more amongst the fort or further back as he had been spotted right away and returned in haste.
    “Well, they be knowin’ the Gate’s open again now, so we best be actin’ quick,” said King Buster loudly. With no forthcoming argument he set about organising a strike force. Master Pilk went to join the gathering force until a hand grabbed him and turned him around.
    “Where do you think you’re going?” asked Duke Angus.
    “They may need magic or at least protection from magic,” replied Master Pilk.
    “They’re dwarves. They have a natural resistance to magic and they are going ahead to buy you time to close that thing.” The Duke pointed at the Gate. “So make their effort count for something.”
    Master Pilk wasn’t accustomed to seeing Duke Angus so agitated, but realised his lack of sleep and the extreme stress of the situation had him on edge so he