Snarling masses of muscle and fangs leapt over the wooden barricades, landing amidst the goblin ranks with crushing force. The dire wolves followed next—larger, faster, and dripping with fury.
But the captains were already moving.
"Shield wall! Form up—left flank, tighten the line!" barked Krivex, loosing a quick shot into a wolf's eye before dropping his bow and drawing his short blade. "No gaps! They break the line, they break us!"
Soldiers scrambled—but moved with practiced discipline. Their shields locked. Spears braced. The dire wolves slammed into the formation—but this time, they didn't scatter the goblins. They were met with iron tips and locked resolve.
"Push! Hold, then push!" Gorrak bellowed, his hammer already stained red. He brought it down on a wolf's skull with a crunch. "Don't just swing—drive them back! Make them bleed for every step!"