What was going on?
Blackmoore had already begun to suspect what had happened. The thought unsettled him, but he forced himself to remain calm as he surveyed the orcs on the wall.
Then Blackmoore spotted that familiar face.
Thrall.
Thrall was looking at Blackmoore too, and their eyes met.
But the obedience once present in Thrall's eyes was gone, replaced by resolve and determination.
Then a blond woman appeared beside Thrall.
Taretha.
Her gaze toward Blackmoore was filled with even greater resentment and disgust.
In that instant, Blackmoore seemed to understand everything.
"Have you betrayed me, Thrall?" Blackmoore shouted up at the wall. "Together with this lowly woman?"
Though the deed was already done, he still wanted one last confirmation.
Thrall said nothing.
But that was confirmation enough.
Blackmoore grew furious. "I raised you from childhood and trained you to become a hero of the Arena, and you betrayed me for this whore?"
"Don't you dare speak of her again!" Thrall roared. "I was nothing but your slave, your tool! In your eyes, everyone is a tool to be used!"
Blackmoore opened his mouth wide, ready to say more, but a long, resonant horn call sounded behind him.
Blackmoore turned to look. In the distance, rank after rank of soldiers had appeared on the road.
Riding at the very front of the formation was Rhode.
Beside Rhode was Major Drake.
Once Rhode's troops halted, they advanced no farther, instead watching the city gate.
Only then did Blackmoore fully understand.
Thrall and Rhode had joined forces!
No, that wasn't all.
Major Drake was in league with Rhode, and even Hearthglen was one of them!
That explained why Hearthglen's contingent of mages had suddenly vanished without reason.
He had believed his plans were flawless, but in truth, Rhode had held him in