An Ambush [1]

The heavens opened up in a furious, blinding torrent.

A violent, midnight downpour lashed across the rocky terrain of the Opark Mountain range, turning the winding dirt trails into slick rivers of mud.

Jagged forks of blinding white lightning violently fractured the bruised, ink-black sky, followed instantly by concussive crashes of thunder that shook the stone foundations of the cliffs.

The wind whipped in wild, howling gales, driving sheets of cold rain horizontally across the wilderness and swallowing the night in absolute gloom.

Through the heart of the raging storm, four powerful war stallions thundered relentlessly across the treacherous mountain paths.

This was the third route—the vital overland pass winding toward the Asherian Viscounty.

Leading the small, disciplined vanguard was Craig von Darkstar.