Defend the Wagons.

I cursed under my breath. There was no way I could fight off so many. Even with the towns folks help if they managed to rally. I took off after Tomen, Tolvald, and Raven. They were riding their horses pretty hard but where carrying way to much weight. If we could just make it to White River crossing we would be safe and we could get word to the castle guards that Stonehills was under attack.

"Direwolves." Raven shouted. I looked back to see a pack of goblins riding massive wolves. They where gaining ground fast. I drew and arrow and managed to fire a shot but missed as it whizzed by one of their heads. I fired again and managed to take down a rider but the wolf kept coming. A spear flew at me as I barley had time to duck

I saw Raven lean back on her horse and and threw two of her knives and took out two of the wolves. Their riders hitting the dirt and tumbling. We came to a cross road and I saw two riders coming at as hard from the left flank. One had a crossbow and was aiming at Tovald trying his best to get a clean shot while another fired a shot at me. I rode my horse hard and managed to put me and the horse in the way as I took out one of the riders. A searing pain hitting my leg as I looked down to see an arrow sticking out of my leg. I drew my own arrow and fired at the goblins mount and took it down. I reached over with my right hand and pulled the arrow out as I grunted in pain. Luckily it wasn't a barbed head arrow.

"Senso nullum dolorem." I said and the pain faded though I am sure I would have to cast that spell again later as deep as it felt. I heard a wolf behind me and turned to see it was gaining ground quickly. I looked left and right but I couldn't get a shot off in either direction. It jumped and attacked my horse as everything began to move in slow motion. I managed to grab onto the side of the wagon as my horse went down. I let go of my bow as it fell into the back of the wagon. My legs dragging dangerously close to the back wheel. I looked back to see the wolves fighting my horse as they swarmed her. Only the ones with riders stayed on our tails. I somehow managed to pull myself up into the wagon and landed in the back. I saw Raven was fighting off flankers on the right side. She dodged a crossbow bolt as she hung off of the horse on one side and flung a knife taking down the shooters wolf. I aimed and let loose as I fired arrow after arrow, injuring or killing every last mount.

Several minutes later we crossed the bridge into the small town of White River. Tomen parked his carriage and ran to the watch tower to tell the guards. I hoped off of the carriage and held my leg. The pain was starting to come back.

"You okay?" Tolvald asked.

"No, he took an arrow meant for you head." Raven smirked. "Let me have a look."

"It's fine. I am sure there has to be a healer around here." I said and coughed as I covered my mouth. Shen I looked at my hand I saw blood and my world started to blur. Someone caught me before I hit the ground.

When I opened my eyes I saw a roof. I looked around at the room but didn't recognize the place. I tried to sit up but my muscles felt weak.

"Whoa easy their." A voice said. I turned to see Halley as she came over and sat on the bed beside me. I went to respond but my voice felt dry. "Here have some water." She said pouring me a cup and helping me sit up to drink it.

"Where..." I coughed. "Where am I?"

"Me and Heidi's place. Your back in the city. The arrow that you took for my brother was dipped in poison." She said. That explained it. "Luckily your fever broke last night so most of it is out of your system."

"How long have I been here?"

"Two days." She said.

"What happened to the town?"

"Destroyed, my uncle managed to get some people out but the goblins burned everything to the ground that they couldn't take with them. Anyone they didn't kill was taken as slaves. They hit five other towns that same day." She frowned. That meant they had cut off all trade in the north but the attack was to well organized to be just goblins. A knock came at the door.

"Come in." Halley said. Rose came in and smiled as she saw me.

"Your awake. I hope your hungry because I brought you some food." Rose came over with a basket. The second the smell hit my nose my stomach grumbled.

"Starving." I nodded. I dug into the food as if it was the best thing I had ever eaten.

"Rose has been by every day to check on you." Halley said.

"What happened to the town?"

"My uncle managed to get some people out but the Goblins killed or captured everyone else. They took what they could carry and burned the town to the ground. The goblins hit five other towns at the same time." Halley said. "The ogres took Greystone castle and several military strong holds in the area." That meant the northern trade route was cut off and there would be no more ore shipments from the mountains. The rest of the day I stayed in bed reading. Halley threatened to chain me to the bed otherwise.