But the subsequent battle turned bloody, as the Rubis Mercenaries and Lizardmen engaged in a brutal tug-of-war. Nearly every stronghold that could be defended was fiercely contested by both sides. After a 22:4 exchange rate, the Lizardmen finally broke through the outer wall and began attacking the central platform outside the altar hall.
By this time, nineteen minutes had passed since the start of the battle, and ten minutes since the initial contact at the rear.
The mercenaries began to retreat, but this was not a long-term strategy, as the space left for them to contract their defenses was gradually narrowing. Further back was Antitina.
An arrow almost grazed the pale cheek of this noble daughter—
