Chapter 66 Book 2 Battle Challenge
The noon sun beat down on the village of Xian, its tall wooden walls standing like ancient sentinels rooted deeply in the earth. The Talagan bandits and Soul Snatcher mercenaries, an unruly alliance of brigands and killers, lounged just outside the perimeter. Their mocking laughter echoed through the open plains, carried by the dry autumn wind.
Villagers atop the walls gripped their crude bows, their faces grim. The arrows they had fired earlier lay scattered on the ground near the bandits, untouched and harmless. Kalan, the Soul Snatcher leader, leaned against his staff, his face a mask of amusement. Beside him, Argot, the Talagan leader, a towering figure with red fiery hair, bellowed a laugh so loud it could rival thunder. Maera, a lithe woman with a dagger-like grin and eyes like a hawk, smirked as she polished her twin blades.
