The captain's expression grew grim.
"Bad and getting worse. We've been holding them at the forest edge, but they probe our defenses daily. The Brotherhood forces are skilled fighters, I'll grant them that—we'd have been overrun without them. But a demon commander is coordinating the attacks. Smart, patient, waiting for us to make mistakes."
"How many demons?" Baren asked, his tactical mind engaging despite the emotional reunion with his wife.
"Best estimate? Perhaps five hundred within striking distance, with more arriving constantly. They're building up for a major assault, we think. Trying to break through our lines and reach the settlements beyond."
"And you have?" Darian asked.
"Two hundred militia, three hundred Brotherhood soldiers. Outnumbered, but holding defensive positions helps."
Not great odds, but not hopeless either. Jaenor considered their options.
