Vella looked up from a wounded spearman as a crimson flare burst above the rear medical sanctuary.
Twelve elite war mages in scarlet robes descended from the rocky eastern ridges, completely bypassing the forward front lines.
Their chanting voices resonated across the clearing as their hands conjured massive spheres of concentrated alchemical flame.
"Incinerate the field hospital and slaughter their wounded!" the lead pyromancer bellowed, thrusting his flame-wreathed staff forward.
"Leave zero survivors behind their lines to tend to their fallen soldiers!"
"Burn their medical tents to ashes!" another scarlet mage shouted with sadistic laughter.
"Let their wounded crawl into the mud and roast like pigs in an oven!"
Inside the hospital pavilion, forty-two bedridden patients and wounded militia cried out in terror as the firestorm descended.
Vella stepped through the doorway of the medical tent, her violet-streaked gold hair whipping wildly in the scorching draft.
