Vulcan was airborne on the Pegasus, flying high over Heidraen, firing bolts of energy down into the city. Clouds of smoke rose into the sky as buildings caught fire, men and women screamed in terror, and Heidraen was gradually turning into a scene from the apocalypse. Shevak’s archers, desperate to end this torment, were loosing storms of arrows up at Vulcan, but those that hit the horse and rider bounced harmlessly away.
Shevak watched with anxiety from the castle. “We can’t stand too much of this!” he thought. “What can we do? Should I surrender myself, before the whole city is burned to the ground?”
Suddenly a new sound reached his ears. Screams and cries and the clashing of swords. He looked out over the besieging army. The enemy were being attacked from the rear!
In fact, they were being attacked on three fronts. The Ystragarth army on their right flank, with archers on warships adding to the panic, elves on their left flank, but the true damage was being done by a devastating cavalry charge, let by Yupar, with Pilus, Paul, and Tanda in close support, which smashed into their rear.
It was carnage. Wragg had not enjoyed himself for years, as he slashed and thrust, and within two or three minutes he’d killed auks, trolls and men as the Draen army melted before this triple onslaught.
Sitting high over Heidraen, Vulcan also heard the commotion. He saw the effect the cavalry was having, and knew that if he couldn’t reverse the tide of battle the day would be lost. As he swept over the gate, masses of Heidraenese troops were pouring through it, and as the Draens had turned to meet the charge from the rear, now they found themselves completely encircled by revenge-thirsty troops.
Vulcan started to throw bolts down upon the cavalry, causing horses to rise up in terror and throw their riders into the seething battle below. Pilus just saw a flash, his horse reared up, and he found himself on the ground. He was fighting for his life as Draen warriors attacked him. In a second he was on his feet, and a few swipes with his new sword earned him some healthy respect from the Draen, and he soon cleared a space around him.
Another bolt came down from Vulcan. This time it was different, as Quiet Paul returned a bolt, and, for the second time today, the horse was struck between its eyes.
The Pegasus received no reprieve on this occasion, and horse and rider smashed to the ground just yards from Paul and Pilus. Dazed but unhurt, Vulcan staggered to his feet, and launched a bolt at Paul, which was blocked by a returning bolt, and by then Pilus was on him.
Ascaron flashed brilliantly in the morning sunlight as Vulcan attempted to throw a bolt at Pilus, then he stared in horror at his severed right arm. “That’s not a normal sword!” he screamed, knowing that ordinary steel could no way have hurt him. He screamed a spell, and a new right hand appeared, just at the moment that Pilus had thought it was going to be too easy.
“No!” yelled Pilus, fighting for his life, “it is the Sword of Ascaron, and I’m Prince Pilus! Time has run out, Vulcan!
Pilus saw a tiny flicker of fear and doubt in Vulcan’s eyes, as the two of them clashed. Pilus found himself driven backwards, but parried every cut and thrust from Vulcan. He cried out as Vulcan just nicked his arm, and the next stroke from Vulcan missed his neck by the breadth of a hair as he leapt backwards to dodge it.
Pilus found himself burning with hatred towards Vulcan. He screamed in fury as he launched a frenzied attack upon him. Paul was sure he was going to be killed in his hot temper, but once again Ascaron found its mark, and Pilus barely felt any resistance as, for the second time, it swept through bone and muscle, and Vulcan’s sword fell to the ground, still clutched by his severed hand.
This time Pilus gave him no quarter. The spell died on Vulcan’s lips as his head bounced onto the grass.
“His heart, Pilus!” yelled Paul, “You must pierce his heart!”
“BAAAAASSSTAAAARD!” yelled Pilus, as he thrust Ascaron deep into Vulcan’s chest, impaling his body into the ground.
There was no question but that Lord Vulcan was quite, quite, dead.