Free City of Gold by Daniel Blackaby

defense, they were being backed against the wall inch by inch.
    Cody watched helplessly. “Help! Help!” he screamed out the window. Tiana winced as blood smeared down her cheek from a newly-carved gash. The golden golems engulfed them in a semi-circle.
    Cody’s stomach began to tingle. He clutched his chest and felt the outline of the Book still tucked under his shirt. The sensation raced toward his head. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and relaxed his jaw. Like a distant spectator he heard himself whisper, “ Duomi .”
    Then the entire room exploded.

    Dace was instantly alert. The ground still trembled from the roaring boom. He tightened the grip on his sword.
    Without a sound, he crept to the front door. The smell of smoke polluted the air—across the clearing a building was engulfed in flames.
    His trained ear instantly recognized the low whistling noise ringing out beside him. Without hesitation he flung his body backwards—half a second before an arrow lodged into the wooded archway an inch from his face. Emerging through the shadows a legion of golden warriors swarmed into the town square.
    Dace allowed the tension to drain from his body and willed his muscles to relax. Pressing the cold hilt of his sword against his forehead, he mouthed a soundless oath. He could now smell the charging assailants. With a deep breath, he flung himself at the front line of attackers.

    Cody shoved off the rubble that imprisoned his lower body. A gaping hole in the ceiling exposed the bedroom above. They had fallen through into the bottom storefront that now was aflame. The scorched bodies of the soldiers had been blasted around the room. I definitely need to remember that word!
    “Hurry!” He was yanked to his feet by his collar. Tiana’s face was smeared black with ash and her blonde hair powdered gray with grime. “We need to get out of here before…” A loud cracking noise sounded from above as the ceiling sagged. “ Run! ”
    Cody bolted after Tiana across the room. He felt the intense heat of the fire as he dodged a collapsing piece of flaming debris. Then came another loud crack from above. “ Jump! ” Cody hurled himself toward the door. “ Umph! ” Falling debris slammed against him mid-jump, pinning him to the ground.
    Dashing back through the flames, Tiana grasped Cody’s hand and pulled with all her strength. She dragged Cody through the fiery door as the roof came crashing down.
    As Tiana heaved Cody to his feet, he saw that the entire courtyard had been consumed by furious combat and already several slain soldiers lay crumpled on the ground.
    Tat perched on a rooftop picking off warriors with his bow; each arrow perfectly penetrating between the embedded golden platelets. Below, Wolfrick, Sheets, and Tryin formed a shield around the building.
    Approaching footsteps stole Cody’s attention. Three golden golems charged toward them. Tiana flipped her dagger into the air and caught it by the blade. With a fluid motion she sent the blade whirling across the clearing. Thud . The knife plunged up to the hilt into the lead soldier’s neck, killing him instantly.
    The two remaining warriors continued the charge, but their path was unexpectedly blocked by the hulking mass of Chazic. Before the surprised golems could react, Chazic’s giant scimitars ended their lives. The Enforcer positioned himself in front of Cody, daring more challengers to attack.

    Dace was seasoned enough in battle not to be blinded by success. He recalled General Levenworth’s favorite proverb: “ It’s not the hundred conquered foes that determine your fate; it’s the remaining one who plunges his dagger into your back as you admire your victories. ” They had fought valiantly; but the waves of enemies were relentless. There are too many of them. Tat’s quiver would eventually run dry and even Chazic’s brawny arms would tire. We need to flee .
    “Dace! Behind you! A Dark-Wielder!” Xerx dashed toward him pointing