CHAPTER 117: THE SIEGE BEGINS

Sara rushed to the southeast wall with Palwin close behind, weaving through crowds of people who had gathered despite orders to stay away from the fortifications. Soldiers were trying to push ordinary folk back from the area, their voices growing increasingly urgent as the sounds of approaching conflict grew louder.

The air crackled with tension as everyone sensed that the battle they'd been preparing for was finally at hand. From her position, Sara spotted Sister Korra in the distance, standing near a group of rangers positioned at the top of the wall. They hadn't had much interaction before, but Korra might help deliver Sara's new creations to the rangers who would need them most.

While trying to reach her, Sara was stopped by the same man who had confronted them months ago while they were chasing Celestine through the city streets.

"Sergeant Harwick, wasn't it? Please let me get to Sister Korra," Sara said, recognizing the military bearing and authoritative voice.

One of the soldiers near him corrected her with obvious pride. "Captain Harwick now."

Harwick stepped forward, his expression stern but not unkind. "Skirmishes are about to start. This is no place for civilians, girl."

"Captain, I have weapons that might work for the battle," Sara insisted, hefting her pack of carefully crafted explosives.

Harwick's interest was clearly piqued. "What kind of things?"

At that moment, Sister Korra descended from the top of the wall, having completed her inspection of the defensive positions. "I've placed capable priest sisters at each corner. They can protect your rangers, Captain." While saying this, she noticed Sara standing nearby. "Sara Miller, please leave this area. This will be a warzone. Marcus will be very upset if any harm comes to you."

Harwick's expression softened with recognition. "Now I remember you, girl. You work for Marcus. Please leave. I don't want you to get hurt. Things will turn ugly here."

Sara felt frustration building at being dismissed repeatedly. "Please stop telling me what to do. If you remember, Sergeant..." She was interrupted by the same soldier correcting her again. "Captain."

"Captain, if you remember, I made the explosives Marcus used against General Koroth and his soldiers," Sara said firmly, her voice carrying newfound authority.

Harwick's demeanor changed immediately, his military mind recognizing the value of proven weapons technology. "I remember, of course." His interest was clearly piqued by the possibilities. "Do you have anything for us?"

Sara removed her newly crafted devices from her pack, revealing an array of explosive arrows and charges that represented weeks of careful work and innovation. Each piece was more sophisticated than her earlier creations, designed specifically for siege warfare.

"These are explosive arrows, but they're not as strong as what Marcus used before. They can still hurt our soldiers if they explode too close to them," Sara explained, demonstrating the safety mechanisms she'd built into each device.

Harwick examined the weapons with professional appreciation. "That means we need to shoot them before the skirmishes start, while there's still distance between us and the enemy."

Sister Korra nodded approvingly. "I'll talk to the Royal Commander. Make sure he doesn't order any charges before the explosions go off."

Harwick smiled grimly. "You're too smart, as always, Sister."

"Now I'll explain how to deploy them," Sara continued, feeling the satisfaction of being taken seriously as a military asset rather than dismissed as a civilian.

The sound of approaching hoofbeats grew louder, accompanied by the distinctive cloud of dust that marked a large force moving at speed. From their elevated position on the wall, they could see the full scope of the approaching battle.

The royal army riders formed the front line, with infantry arranged behind them outside the wall, waiting for the attack to begin. Front of them lay the abandoned newly constructed Lord Hammond district, where trenches had been carved from both sides, leaving only a small gap for both friend and foe to enter.

A small cloud of riders was steadily increasing in size as it approached the city.

"That cloud is probably Commander Cain and our mounted forces," Harwick explained, pointing toward the approaching dust cloud. Commander Cain had set up traps in the valley and was now rushing back to the city to unbalance Malachar's army and disrupt their positions.

"Thank the Light then," Sara breathed with relief. "Palwin, sit back and listen for Tom, okay?"

Palwin nodded, settling into a position where she could concentrate on maintaining her mental connection with Tom while staying out of the way of military preparations.

Harwick suddenly pointed toward the main gate with concern. "Is that the King going outside the gates? What is he doing?"

Sister Korra followed his gaze and nodded with understanding. "Showing up. Doing what he avoided until he became king."

Sara couldn't help but comment on her limited experience with royal leadership. "One of the few times I heard him give a speech, he seemed like an arrogant brat." She immediately covered her mouth. "Sorry."

"No need, young Sara. He was a spoiled brat. Influenced by Varek and other awful advisors. I think he's learning real leadership now," Korra replied with honest assessment.

Harwick frowned with military concern. "Leadership isn't dying at the front. He's no fighter. What is he doing out there?"

"Let's wait and see," Korra said, turning to Sara. "How will your craftsmanship work, Sara Miller?"

"First of all, these are explosives, but not as strong as what Marcus used." Sara explained, demonstrating the range and impact capabilities of her devices.

Harwick nodded with tactical understanding. "We notified the General Garop"

"This is how we attached to arrows" she demonstrated a near ranger.

The approaching dust cloud resolved into Commander Cain's forces, riding hard toward the city with obvious urgency. Behind them, a much larger force was beginning to appear on the horizon, the dark mass of Malachar's army in pursuit.

The siege defense was about to begin in earnest, and Sara's innovations would play a crucial role in the city's survival. But even as she prepared to help defend Drakmoor, part of her mind remained focused on Marcus, Tom, and Aldric, somewhere in enemy territory attempting their impossible mission.

"Now I'll explain how to deploy these properly," Sara said, spreading out her explosive devices for the military leaders to examine.

The real battle was about to begin, both here on the walls of Drakmoor and in the heart of Malachar's power complex. Everything they'd worked for would be decided in the next few hours.

But Sara felt ready. Her weapons were tested, her resolve was firm, and her friends were counting on her to do her part in saving their world.

The siege of Drakmoor was about to commence.