James had a sandbag on his shoulder when the shells started.
The first ones landed north, toward the Cross. The fourth landed sixty metres off, across the river, and the churchyard wall shook under his hands. A jeep on the bridge reversed off it fast and swung in behind the old school.
"*Down! Get in your holes!*"
That was Brennan, on the bank below.
"*All sections, stay where you are,*" said Kavanagh on the radio. "*Nobody moves. Report.*"
James went down behind the wall.
The N15 came south over the bridge at Drumcliff. Brennan's section was dug into the river bank either side of the road, facing a row of damaged farm buildings on the far side. The churchyard wall made a second line behind. South of the church, the road went on to Sligo, eight kilometres off.
He opened his window.
`[JAMES GANNER — LEVEL: 51]`
`[MANA: 3,100 / 3,100]`
`[EXP: 34,385 / 96,000]`
