The eastern wall of the stronghold erupted in flames as the loyalist assault reached its peak. Lin found herself pressed against the volcanic stone, her escort squad of three rebel dragons forming a protective line in front of her. The loyalist forces had broken through the outer defenses faster than anyone had anticipated.
"Princess, stay behind us!" the squad leader shouted over the roar of dragon fire. His sword lit up as he parried a strike from an attacking loyalist dragon.
Lin watched the rebel dragon's technique—a horizontal slash aimed at the loyalist's neck, followed by a quick pivot to avoid the counterattack. The loyalist responded with a burst of water magic that turned the air around them into scalding steam. Both dragons moved through the mist, their weapons creating sparks where they met.
