Lloyd walked over to Tarian. “The dwarves have decimated the rear ranks of the enemy.”

Tarian shifted the telescope toward the rear and watched the dwarven axes cleave through the retreating remnants of the horde. Relief washed over his features as his shoulders slouched. “The elves and dwarves arrived just in time.”

Sherry’s fingers covered her lips as she stared out over their allies. “What do you think they’ll want from us?”

Lloyd glared at her as his fingers curled into fists. “The enemy crumbles under the elven arrows and dwarven blades.”

“That’s my point.” Sherry stepped toward Lloyd as her eyes narrowed. “Now we owe them. What are they going to demand from us?”

“Give me a break,” Lloyd said as he kicked some debris.

“This is serious,” Sherry said, her voice bordering on shrill. “I can’t be the only one afraid they’ll prove untrustworthy.”

Standing up from the crumbling wall, Tarian turned around, putting a hand on Lloyd’s and Sherry’s shoulder. “Sherry, we needed help, and they answered our call. Examine the battlefield. It’s taken all our collective power to eradicate this scourge.”

“Tarian, we can’t trust them,” Sherry said, her voice only a whisper.

“We don’t have the luxury to isolate ourselves,” Lloyd said, matching her tone...