Morning.

Helena and her troops had been at the pass for the last four days. Yesterday had been a day of no action as the enemy had waited for the ground to dry out completely. Helena ordered Cressida to have the warriors stand to at the wall as the attack could be expected anytime now. The warriors took up their places at the wall and waited. The trumpets sounded followed by a rumble and as Helena looked out she could see the war elephants running straight for the wall. She readied her troops who looked on as well as the big beasts ran on with their riders atop them already getting their bows ready to fire when they got in range. As they ran on the lead elephants hit the hidden trench and they stumbled falling over which caused the second rank to run into them also falling crushing the archers and riders. The third rank stopped and the elephants turned in panic and decimated the following sword and spearman who could not get out of the way in time.

Helena looked on at the panic and carnage with a wry smirk on her face as the moans and screams of wounded men and elephants filled the air. That was one surprise that they could not use again and Helena knew she only had one more surprise. The enemy was in disarray for the moment but come the afternoon things could be different. The dying elephants filled the trench now making it passable for the enemy troops and cavalry and there was no doubt in her mind that they would breach the wall. But she had one last surprise apart from her archers and she turned to look at the long wooden spikes lying on the floor of the pass which were covered in dirt and sand. When it was finished she would move the shield wall back behind the spikes and then wait for the enemy onslaught which was sure to come. The upturned wagon had been righted and moved back behind the spikes and then again turned over again to provide cover.

All the defenders could do was now wait for the next attack to come and prayed that they could hold their ground. They had no illusions that they would suffer losses. They were all looking around at their comrades wondering if they would be standing or would they be a fatality, only time and events would decide. Helena looked around and a surge of pride filled her as she watched the warriors work and finally the wall was ready to be moved back so she signalled to Cressida to do it. The shields were picked up and walked back and once again planted in the ground but as the gap had widened they had to use two wagons, one at either end to fill the gaps. Now they were ready and had a little time to grab some food and drink before the next battle commenced. Helena looked up at the sun and saw that it was approaching its midway zenith before the day would pass into the afternoon. She felt the heat and wished she was anywhere but here. She was broken from her thoughts by the sound of trumpets, the next attack was about to commence.