Machar's army appeared on the horizon like a bck tide.

  From Drakmoor's walls Sara counted the banners. Regiments from every conquered nation. War beasts rger than houses. Siege engines that looked like moving mountains. Mage battalions with their robes billowing in formation.

  More soldiers than she had explosive arrows.

  More soldiers than she could count.

  The morning sun caught their weapons, creating a sea of glittering death that stretched to the edges of her vision. Drums pounded in the distance, a heartbeat of war that made the stones beneath her feet tremble.

  "The allied forces?" She asked Sister Korra.

  "Rosendale's cavalry, two days out. The coastal cities' naval infantry, three days by forced march. The eastern mountain cns..." Sister Korra shook her head, her face grim. "Unknown."

  Too slow. All of them too slow.

  Sara's hands gripped the stone wall until her knuckles went white.

  Aldric approached from the back. His face, all his expressions, were wrong. Sara was trying her hardest not to smack him and call for help. But the siege was too close now. Whether they won or lost this was going to end here.

  "Did you see Lord Hammond?" Aldric asked Sister Korra.

  "He is welcoming reinforcements from all over the world. He is busy. What is it? Do you need something?"

  "The grain distribution I am assigned." Aldric raised a note he had written.

  "What is it?" Korra asked.

  Sara was watching the whole thing in disgust. This Aldric was trying to imitate the real one by taking his responsibilities. But he was failing at every capacity.

  "Most pces finished their reserves and are asking for more."

  "Send it then. The guilds are connected to you until the war is over."

  "Well there is nothing left."

  "What do you mean?" Sara cut in.

  "They finished distributing and now they are asking for more."

  "You were supposed to coordinate with guilds and voluntary stores." Korra's voice rose with anger.

  Sara saw Sister Korra getting angry for the first time. Even with seasoned guild members how could Aldric have messed up the distribution of the city's food reserves? He was supposed to be busy with a safe job and away from spying. There must be other spies he was cooperating with.

  "Aldric I am taking your responsibilities." Korra's voice was cold now. "The war is near. You should sign up for troop duty."

  Aldric's face puzzled. "But... but we are heroes. I can't..."

  "What?" Sara asked. "Fight for your city? For your country?"

  "I can but..." Aldric stopped when the women's demeanor didn't change. "I'll find Captain Harwick."

  After Aldric left Sara took a deep sigh. "He is making it too obvious."

  "I think there are more spies in the city. They must have stolen the grain. In order to cause panic among citizens." Korra said quietly.

  "Did the reinforcements bring food?" Sara asked.

  "Thank the Maker. They did."

  Sara got really close to Korra and whispered, making sure no one could hear. "Did you find the tunnel?"

  Alice Brightshield had revealed there was a secret tunnel in the mines. She had been hesitant to talk but after learning there was a chance to defeat Machar she revealed everything. Lord Varek had secretly ordered a tunnel going all the way through the mountain. In case Machar didn't keep his promise and attacked the city.

  "Yes we uncovered it with the Defenders." Korra answered. "There shouldn't be any spies amongst them."

  "Does the tunnel lead to the back of Machar's forces?"

  "When they fully encircle the city the tunnel opening will be open to behind them."

  Sara gnced at the explosives, fiery arrows, and gunpowder stockpiled along the wall. "What can we do with that opening?"

  "I informed Commander Garop and Cain to strategize. But in the end I assume we will rain fire from there."

  "If we reveal the tunnel there will be no chance of running away." Sara said.

  Korra looked puzzled. "Sara Miller are you pnning on running away?"

  Sara bowed her head. "No." She raised her head to meet Korra's eyes. Her own eyes were watering. "I was hoping we could sneak out kids and our elders. My mom...." A tear rolled down her cheek. "My mom and my cousins.... they are so innocent."

  "Sara Miller." Korra's voice was firm but kind. "There is nowhere to run after this war. If Machar wins the whole world will be his. This is the final battle. We will bleed to the st drop and take back our country and free the nations he conquered."

  Sara wiped her face. "I hope we will."

  But inside she was screaming.

  Where are you Aldric? The real Aldric?

  Where are you Marcus, Tom?

  We need you.

  Below the walls Machar's army continued to mass. Thousands upon thousands. A tide of darkness that would crash against their walls.

  And somewhere in that army, wearing the face of a friend, the real threat waited.

  Sara turned back to the wall. To the work that needed doing.

  If they were going to die she would make sure they took as many enemies with them as possible.

  That was all she could do now.

  Wait. Fight. Hope.

  And pray that help would arrive before the walls fell.