Episode 58: Causeway Two is falling down

There was an immediate babble of discussion regarding the motion to destroy the causeway, but the matter quickly came to a vote.

"Aye."

"Aye."

"Nay."

"Aye."

"Nay."

"Nay."

"Aye."

The lady who seemed to be officially in command of the Great Hall nodded once. "Motion carries. Is the bridge clear of friendly forces?"

One of the mages watching the battle with his eyes closed responded, "I swear, there's something on the bridge, but I can't see it. There are some unnatural shadows out there, and every time I re-check the middle of the bridge, more of the enemy is dead or missing."

"We must commend its soul to Heaven, if it has one; there's no way that we can extract someone from all the way out there. Send the command."

"By your order," the other mage acknowledged. There was a pause of perhaps ten seconds before the mage reported, "Done."

Several more seconds passed before there was a dull rumble in the distance. As the rumble died down, the floor beneath Isabelle quivered for a moment.

"Causeway Two is down," the first mage reported. "Breach forces appear to be surrendering."

"Thank Heaven," someone muttered, and there was a scattered chorus of agreement.

Isabelle made her way over to Arthur. "What did they just do?"

"When we last rebuilt the causeways, a spell was carved into each of the support pillars. When activated, it liquefied their mortar. At any given time, only two mages in the military know how to trigger it, but there are always a few retired ones about." He gestured to the mage below as evidence. "C'mon; let's find out how Max and Team Two did."