Each strike against the gate by the ram sent a wave of flinches across the defending force. Those that had been ordered up to press their body weight against the gate were barely keeping it held shut.

On the outer side of the gate, many mercenaries were falling, but most were carried back into cover in the further reaches of the cavern. More filed in to replace them. Now that a shield wall had been established, a greater proportion of archers and crossbows made up the following waves. Each new archer put pressure on the defenders on the walkway, some even found their mark and forced manpower to be diverted to carrying the wounded down to be healed.

Unfortunately, sharp eyes would notice that the defenders were not the only ones with access to quick healing magic. Familiar figures were beginning to join the enemy, free of their previous wounds. Any shots that didn't kill were being remedied out of sight.

Ahnasha's attempt to communicate her intentions was not picked up by many over the sounds of other orders and movements, but around three other nearby defenders understood and readied their aim at the area behind the gate. One of the defenders was Caldris, who remarked to Ahnasha, "We've far too many arrows! Shooting from there takes too long!" She dragged a full quiver from the outer wall of the walkway for both of them to use. Caldris had a certain madness in her eyes that belied her cold demeanour outside of battle, "This will make it less fighting and more fishing! Ha ha!"

Far off to one side, Darahil and Vera were descending the walls to assist the force on the floor. While climbing down, Vera spotted the archers forming above the gate and shouted, "You up there! Don't remain too long! We cannot hold the gate for long!"

Caldris gave only a quick nod.

The next strike against the gate came with a resounding snap. The wooden barricades were compromised now. "Form up! Form up!" Vera shouted, "Stand fast!" The few blocking the gate backed off. They would not be strong enough to hold the gate now, and even if they were, the gate would soon break apart and leave them vulnerable.

Another thud. The gate caved partially in, but it still stood. Another thud. The gates were struck permanently inwards and the defenders could see the mercenaries beyond. One final thud turned out to be more of a scrape as the gates physically surrendered. One snapped off its hinge and fell to its side, the other hung lazily open. The defending formation put their spears forward and met the oncoming warcry as armoured attackers streamed in. A few threw silver knives or spears which did little except scratch the front line, though one lycan was taken by surprise and took a spear to the chest.

Caldris and the other archers began shooting as soon as they saw the attackers' necks. Caldris was killing at a frightening pace, striking one and having a new arrow readied in the same second. The other archers were slower and less prepared; most of their arrows glanced off helmets or pauldrons, but a few fell to their efforts.