287 CARRIED WITH THE MADNESS - PART 7

The conversation between Merrick and Carter ended as they joined the rest of the army, focusing on the march into the thicket, bringing the monster horde one step closer to their doom.

Merrick shouted at the men, "Shore up the left side, push them into the heart of the thicket!"

The knights rallied on each side, forming a line, keeping the monsters at a sword's length as they ran them into the dense forest toward the swamp.

Their efforts slowed, and the cavalry eventually dismounted their steeds. The ground had become too soft to ride on. The horses' hooves kept sinking deeper and deeper into the muck.

Even with the heavy snowfall, Carter recognized the place where he had last seen the Duke before he had vanished into the Beaufield Morass.

Helios was there, steadfastly waiting for Sterling to return.

Suddenly, the tense silence of their surroundings was shattered by the loud whinny of a nearby horse.