Although it was difficult to spot any completed work in the village, the situation around the tower was quite different. The structure itself stood on an artificial mound, built just a few metres from the shoreline. The entire fortification consisted of a thick stone wall only slightly taller than an adult man and a four-storey tower devoid of windows. Where the gate should have been, there was a gaping hole blocked by a hastily erected barricade. Every now and then, a head would appear at the top of the tower, surveying the surroundings.
Even from a distance, the engineering work carried out around the defensive position, or at least the beginnings of it, was clearly visible. Stakes tied together with string marked out new fortifications or an area where a camp could be set up. Passages had also been marked out and indicated by coloured pieces of fabric tied to the string. It wasn’t hard to see that someone had really put their heart into their work.
‘Do you think Adam will find the other five and that they’ll be able to cope with them?’
‘Maybe… It’s hard to say.’ Noah didn’t even try very hard to lower his voice. They were so far away that a normal conversation wouldn’t reveal their presence. ‘A lot depends on where they are. If it’s something similar…’ He pointed at the tower ahead of them. ‘…then they don’t stand a chance, but if it looks like the village we took over, I wouldn’t say it’s impossible.’
‘Cedric probably thinks the same.’ Draco leaned out slightly from where he was sitting and tried to spot someone from their team. Retfield, Zane and Sheth were approaching the enemy positions quite close to the shore, though even knowing where he should expect to see them, the dragon was unable to make them out.
‘It’s just that he’s trying to do too much at once.’ Parthir huffed, slightly irritated, and turned away, leaning his back against a tree.
‘You mean…?’
‘We should be circling the positions and waiting for the scouts to return, but he’s charging towards
