“I figured that they would see us climbing the Wall of Mermidion,” confessed Jackle. “I suppose they will be worried if they can’t find us. I hope this fog lifts soon so that someone knows where we have gone.”

Suddenly, a tremendous force of wind blew up the face of the cliffs. Both boys instinctively leaned backwards to press their bodies against the wall of the cliff. Within seconds the fog was blown upward and the sun shone brightly in their faces.

“What was that?” Jackle asked with alarm. “I thought we were going to be blown off the cliffs.”

“Look out towards the harbor,” Kenda said excitedly. “Those ships are huge.”

The boys gazed at the sea just beyond the harbor wall. Half a dozen monstrous ships were heading towards the city.

“What are they?” asked Jackle. “I have never seen ships so large. Look how small our ships look in comparison.”

“Those are warships,” Kenda said haltingly. “I don’t like the looks of this.”

Suddenly, huge balls of fire sprang from the decks of the monstrous ships. The fiery projectiles slammed into the buildings of Duran, and fires sprang up throughout the city. The boys watched the citizens of Duran scurrying around in confusion. People ran in every direction. Distant shouts of alarm drifted lightly on the air at the citizens of Duran were roused from their homes. The Imperial Guards gathered in front of the Mayor’s building and formed ranks, but there was no one for them to fight. As the huge fireballs continued to soar into the city, the invading ships began lowering smaller ships to ferry the soldiers ashore.

“Even their small ships dwarf most of our fishing vessels,” Jackle said softly. “I can’t imagine how many soldiers those ships must hold.”

“Probably more men than the number of citizens in Duran,” frowned Kenda. “Our people will not stand a chance.”